Despite injuries and rotation changes that included redshirt sophomore guard Duncan Robinson replacing sophomore Aubrey Dawkins in the starting lineup, the Wolverines exceeded expectations against Delaware State on Saturday.
What started as a game solely dominated by North Carolina State quickly descended into a back-and-forth contest.
The Musketeers grabbed 18 offensive rebounds over the course of the game, scoring 16 second-chance points off of them.
Robinson and Walton combined for 43 points, with 33 of those coming off of 3-pointers.
This team has no shortage of depth.
For most high school basketball players with Division I aspirations, college decisions are made long before May of senior year.
Though Kathleen has watched more than 30 of her husband’s home openers, this time was different.
At one point during a somewhat zany practice on Thursday, Michigan men’s basketball coach John Beilein was doing push-ups with assistant coaches LaVall Jordan and Jeff Meyer at centercourt. At another point, a mock wrestling belt with a big block 'M' emblazoned on it was handed over to junior forward Sean Lonergan, who “won practice” the day before.
Robinson, a 6-foot-8 redshirt sophomore swingman, will be eligible this year after transferring from Williams College before last season.