A Test of Depth in Lithuania
Michigan’s men’s basketball squad will meet Lithuania’s B Team on August 24 in Utena, marking the second stop of a three‑game European tour that also includes a matchup against the senior national side in Vilnius and a clash with Croatia’s Mega SUPERBET in Dubrovnik.
Coach Mike Boynton Jr. has framed the swing as an opportunity to experiment with lineups, sharpen physicality and give the newcomers a taste of high‑level competition. The trip, he said, is less about the scoreboard and more about building a foundation for the upcoming season.
The Wolverines will be without center Moustapha Thiam, who suffered a leg injury in the earlier exhibition against Lithuania’s senior side and is not expected to be fully healthy for the Utena contest. Freshman forward Brandon McCoy Jr., one of nine transfers added through recruiting and the portal, is slated to see action, while transfers Jalen Reed and Lincoln Cosby remain sidelined with injuries.
Marcus Møller logged more than 22 minutes in the loss to the senior Lithuanian team, showing flashes of readiness, while guards Kenny Noland and Roddy Gayle Jr. are expected to feature but are still navigating eligibility concerns for the 2026‑27 campaign.
Despite the early defeat, the coaching staff remains optimistic that the experience will accelerate growth. As McCoy Jr. noted, the team will dissect the lessons from each game and use them to tighten cohesion before the regular season begins.