Michigan
1-0,0-0Big Ten
Oakland
0-1,0-0Horizon
Wolverines Set Scoring Records in Opening Night Win Over Oakland
11/4/2025 12:11:00 AM | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In a record-breaking scoring night, the seventh-ranked University of Michigan men's basketball team dominated Greg Kampe's Oakland Golden Grizzlies, 121-78, on Monday (Nov. 3) at Crisler Center. The in-state non-conference matchup honored the 2025 Big Ten Tournament championship team by raising its banner into the rafters -- the first banner raised since the 2021 Big Ten Championship.
Leaders and Best
For the first time in program history, seven Wolverines scored in double figures. Sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. led the way with 24 points, including 20 in the first half alone, marking his second career game with 20-plus points. Freshman guard Trey McKenney poured in 21 points in his collegiate debut, connecting on six three-pointers. Aday Mara recorded his third career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Will Tschetter added 16 points on four triples. Nimari Burnett contributed 14 points, including 11 in the first half, and matched Tschetter with four made threes. Yaxel Lendeborg chipped in 12 points, and Roddy Gayle Jr. finished with 11.
It marked the sixth time in program history that Michigan has scored more than 120 points in a game, and the first since a 128-92 win over Iowa on March 10, 1990. The Wolverines also tied the program record for three-pointers made in a game with 19, a mark previously set on Dec. 29, 2024, against Western Kentucky and Dec. 13, 2016, against Central Arkansas.
First Half
The Wolverines (1-0) started hot and never looked back. Through the first five minutes of play, five different players combined for 20 points on 75 percent shooting, including a pair of three-pointers. Michigan extended its lead with a 20-3 run heading into the under-12 media timeout, led by Johnson, who reached 14 points in the first eight minutes.
McKenney scored the first points of his career late in the half, hitting two triples -- including one out of the under-four media timeout. Michigan closed the half by making eight of its final nine field-goal attempts, with eight Wolverines contributing to a program-record 69 first-half points. The total surpassed the previous mark of 66, set by the 1987-88 team against Eastern Michigan on Dec. 12, 1987.
Second Half
Michigan kept its foot on the gas out of halftime, eclipsing the 100-point mark with just under 10 minutes to play. The Wolverines went on a 15-3 run out of the 12-minute timeout, shooting 5-for-7 from the field while holding the Golden Grizzlies (0-1) to 1-of-8 shooting. The largest lead of the night came with 7:47 remaining, when Michigan went ahead by 46 points. Charlie May added his first career points with a late three-pointer to cap off the offensive outburst.
What's Next
Michigan will travel 43 miles east to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit for another non-conference matchup on Tuesday (Nov. 11) against Wake Forest in the second game of the Wolverine-Deacon Challenge. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m., and the game will air live on FS1.
Game Notes
• Michigan improves to 90-20 all-time in season openers, including 23 consecutive victories dating back to 2002-03.
• The Wolverines have now won 64 season openers by double digits (10-plus points).
• Michigan moves to 4-1 all-time against Oakland.
• McKenney became the first Wolverine with six three-pointers at home since Jett Howard on Feb. 8, 2023, vs. Nebraska.
• Elliot Cadeau became the fourth Wolverine in program history to record 12 assists at home, joining Zavier Simpson (Jan. 29, 2019, vs. Ohio State).
• Tschetter's 16 points marked his 15th career game with 10-plus points and fourth career game with three or more made three-pointers.
• Burnett hit four three-pointers for the 17th time in his U-M career.
• Lendeborg reached double figures for the first time as a Wolverine and the 113th time in his collegiate career.
• Gayle Jr. recorded his 20th double-digit scoring game for Michigan.
