The University of Michigan men’s basketball squad is set to depart for a two‑game European swing, opening against Lithuanian club BC Žalgiris on August 20, 2024 before traveling to Croatia to meet KK Split a few days later. The exhibition matches are designed to give the Wolverines a competitive edge as they fine‑tune their roster ahead of the regular season.
Among the absentees are graduate forward Jalen Reed, who has been sidelined since November with an Achilles injury, and freshman forward Lincoln Cosby, whose high‑school ACL tear has kept him out of action. Both players remain integral to Michigan’s plans, but their current rehabilitation paths keep them out of the overseas fixtures.
Reed’s recovery has been steady; strength and conditioning staff report he is progressing well and could be cleared for full contact when the team reconvenes on August 29. Cosby, who recently re‑classified from the 2027 to the 2026 recruiting class, faces a longer timeline before he can contribute at the collegiate level.
Rehabilitation Roadmap
Freshman center Marcus Moller, who announced in the spring that he was battling testicular cancer, has impressed coaches with rapid improvements in shooting and passing during summer workouts. He is expected to meet seasoned opponents such as J.P. Estrella and Moustapha Thiam, a test that could accelerate his development.
The roster also includes redshirt sophomore forward Oscar Goodman and redshirt junior forward Vladislav Goldin, who have each grappled with inconsistent minutes in recent seasons. Their experiences will be valuable as the team integrates younger talent on the road.
Coaches emphasize that the European trip is as much about building chemistry as it is about evaluating health status. With Reed’s potential return and Moller’s promising trajectory, Michigan hopes to emerge from the tour with a clearer picture of its lineup heading into the domestic schedule.