What health concerns?

In the weeks leading up to the Michigan men’s basketball season opener, fans and the media were concerned about junior guard Manny Harris’ hamstrings. He hadn’t been able to practice fully throughout the preseason, and even after a strong performance in the Wolverines’ exhibition game on Nov. 6, there were doubts about his condition.

Harris silenced them during Saturday’s 97-50 win over Northern Michigan — and he made some history, too.

With 8:52 left in the game and a very comfortable Michigan lead, Harris passed the ball to freshman guard Matt Vogrich, who then drained his fourth 3-pointer of the night. It was a basic play, and a nice shot, but the pass was the special part.

It was Harris’s 10th assist, which gave him a triple-double on the night, just the second time in Michigan program history that a player recorded such a feat. The only other time it happened was March 14, 1987, when Gary Grant put up 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Harris’ individual achievement was the highlight of a very strong opening-night performance by the Wolverines.

Michigan dominated Northern Michigan in all areas of the court — the boards, the paint and the 3-point line — from the very start, and the Wolverines didn’t let up.

Freshman point guard Darius Morris, who made his much-anticipated first start, scored the Wolverines’ first points of the season on an easy lay-up 58 seconds into the game. After that, it was as if Michigan was on cruise control.

The first half could be best explained by a few key stats: 54.8% field goal percentage; 5-for-13 success rate beyond the arc; 20 defensive rebounds; and 12-15 free throw percentage (compared to Northern Michigan’s zero attempted free throws).

Essentially, the Wolverines did very little wrong. They were clicking on fast breaks. They were trapping opponents on defense. And they looked comfortable doing it — even Morris and fellow freshman Matt Vogrich, both making their college basketball debuts. As fans and those who followed his recruitment expected, Morris controlled the game’s tempo well, a natural leader of the offense. Vogrich also lived up to expectations. Late in the first half, he made three 3-pointers in less than two minutes, showing fans the pure shooter Michigan coach John Beilein recruited. He eventually posted a perfect 5-for-5 success rate from behind the arc.

Equally impressive as the freshman duo’s performance in the first half was that of another potent duo in the second half.

Call it the Manny and DeShawn show.

Junior guard Manny Harris and senior forward DeShawn Sims came out after halftime looking to take over the game.

Their numbers weren’t shabby in the first half — they combined for 19 points and 16 rebounds — but their play was less than flashy.

Immediately after halftime, Sims scored on a layup and Harris drilled a 3-pointer. From then on, the two combined on fast breaks and slam dunks. The Michigan lead grew and grew.

Meanwhile, Harris was quietly building up his triple-double. Near the end of the game, the announcer told the Crisler Arena crowd about Harris’ achievement. Fans erupted into “Man-ny Har-ris” chants.