11/2/2026 11:29:00 PM | MGoBlue Podcasts
Brian Boesch • 00:00
Throughout a March Saturday in Chicago, Illinois and into early Sunday morning, Michigan men's basketball prepped for Tennessee and the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. Mike Boynton junior Was the lead scout with KT Harrell and Brandon Gilbert helping him out. But Boynton led Michigan through several film sessions preparing for a Tennessee team that on Sunday afternoon they would throttle. JP Estrella was a rotation member of that Tennessee team, but he was not a high usage player. He didn't play a ton in that game, far from the focal point in Michigan's preparations. But as Michigan got to know Estrella when he entered the portal and ultimately came to Michigan for his fourth season here in twenty twenty six, twenty twenty seven, both Boynton and Estrella believed strongly that there was more for Estrella to give. Estrella has had to be a little bit more fluid in his role over these first now seven opportunities to face other opponents.
Brian Boesch • 00:57
Whether it was three times out in Europe in the summer or three October exhibitions or Monday win over Oakland, the fact that Michigan has had some personnel shuffles has forced Estrella to play a little bit differently at times to have to fill into a different role. So his numbers were far from gaudy in Monday's season opener. The first time it really counted, JP Estrella was fantastic. Fifteen points, a career high twelve rebounds, nine of which came in the first half alone. The only thing that slowed down Estrella was foul issues. Estrella was outstanding in this ball game when Michigan needed a jolt on the inside. With Moustapha Thiam out in this game due to illness, now Michigan will need Chom to be healthy, to be as effective as he can be for this team to reach its full potential. But on Monday night we got a real handle on what JP Estrella can bring when given more opportunity.
Brian Boesch • 01:56
And the exciting thing for Michigan is that because of those foul issues, he still has plenty of meat left on the bone. From a minute standpoint, Estrella's double double helps Michigan knock off Oakland in the opener. Let's talk about it with interviews and analysis here on Defend the Block.
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Jeff Laurence • 02:13
We're talking Michigan basketball. Welcome to Defend the Block where we'll take you inside the basketball programs with interviews, analysis and so much more. Now here's your host, Brian Bush.
Brian Boesch • 02:26
You would expect if Moustapha Thiam could was out that Michigan would have to lean on the backcourt. And certainly Michigan's backcourt performed well. Roddy Gayle junior Had seventeen points tied with Trey McKenney for the team lead. And McKenney, I mean he had a little surge there later stages of the first half where he had two three point shots and then a three point play. Then he really didn't do a whole lot offensively. Other than that, McKenney tied his second highest offensive output of his career. The only time he scored more was twenty one against Oakland last year and it felt like McKenney was not having the type of game he's capable. It shows you where his upside is for this season. McKenney's going to have some quiet offensive outbursts this season and then Elliot Cadeau seven point six assists did have five turnovers but four steals Cadeau he is trying to get others involved.
Brian Boesch • 03:19
So when you consider all that no Moustapha Thiam and solid performances but certainly plenty of of room for growth for the starting backcourt of Cadeau, McKenney and Gayle. The fact that Michigan did have the type of performance it had with Oscar Goodman, quiet box scoring, everything except for the plus minus. He was plus twenty three only. Estrella with plus twenty five was better and also Jalen Reed. The minutes he gave eight rebounds. He's still getting acclimated not just to the program but to being back out there and playing UConn on Friday will be the fourth high major team he will face since the end of the twenty three twenty four season. Not only did he play sparingly in the last two seasons at LSU before ACL or Achilles injuries, but he also did not play a truly rigorous schedule for lsu, so that'll be a huge test for him. Nice to see him get some real reps, but very bullish on what Michigan's depth pieces along with JP Estrella, a starting big man, was able to provide without Moustapha Thiam.
Brian Boesch • 04:25
They're going to need a healthy chime. They're going to need to have more success, more execution against UConn. They can't shoot seven for thirty four from three point range and expect to have a great chance to win in Boston against the Huskies in the rematch of the national championship. But a good foundational win for Michigan against an Oakland team that will never be scared. They play a ton of high major opponents coming up this season, all of them on the road. This was a solid test, a solid buildup to what will be a fascinating environment. Michigan in twenty eighteen lost to Villanova in the national championship game, went to Nova later that calendar year early in non conference play the following season and just decked the Wildcats. There will be unique motivation on uconn side. We know how Dan Hurley coaches and how he tries to motivate.
Brian Boesch • 05:18
It's going to be a bees nest up there in Boston on Friday. It will likely be a pretty partisan UConn crowd, the reverse of that Monday night in April, but it'll be a great challenge and a great opportunity for Michigan. One other big man, and he doesn't necessarily play like that all the time, but what Quinn Costello gave, he was one of the few Wolverines who was having success with the outside shot. He was a very solid performer on Monday. This team is still trying to figure out exactly what it is, and they still haven't had the full complement of players healthy and in there as expected. Hopefully that comes on Friday night. But this team is uniquely qualified to deal with some adversity and they're going to have some opponent adversity coming up on Friday against UConn. Excited to see how they handle it. All right, those are some of my thoughts after the Wolverines get it done over Oakland on Monday night.
Brian Boesch • 06:10
Let's hear from the national champion, Terry Mills. He was with Rob Joyce.
Rob Joyce • 06:13
Terry, your thoughts on this one? This very much looked like the first game, the first official game of the season, especially in that second half of Michigan ultimately wins fairly comfortably.
Terry Mills • 06:22
Yeah, I mean, they just found a way and they had to do it with some unique lineups. I mean, got Moustapha Thiam, who wasn't available today, out with an illness. JP Estrella gets in foul trouble. So we had to do it with some unique lineups. But I mean, whenever you're able to lean on some of those veteran type guys that have been through those championships, it helps to be able to have guys like Roddy Gayle, Trey McKenney and Elliot Cadeau down the stretch.
Rob Joyce • 06:48
Yeah, I mean, how valuable was Roddy in particular? Obviously there's just so much uncertainty with whether he'd be able to play. He played last weekend against Houston, comes out seventeen points and he's really just such a steadying Roddy presence.
Terry Mills • 07:00
Yeah, I mean, he just knows how to play the game. I mean, he's just that savvy veteran, if you will, that he knows where to go in the zone. I said it right from the beginning of the game. You can put Roddy Gayle in the center of a zone and he knows how to turn and face and finish and make all the right decisions. And I think you've seen that down as trash.
Rob Joyce • 07:17
You mentioned the three veterans, but how about in that second half, Michigan really in need of an offensive spark and you know, you have all these names and here comes Quinn Costello coming out and he's the one who gave that spark freshman in his first game. That was impressive.
Terry Mills • 07:28
Well, I'll tell you what, he wasn't gun shy at all. By no means. I mean, Quinn is dripping with talent, and I think that as the season progresses, he's going to get better and better. And he even said it when I asked him a question post game, talked about how the physicality was probably the most difficult part. So I think as he continues to go, he's going to get in that weight room, continue to get stronger, and I expect great things out of that young man.
Rob Joyce • 07:54
And then how about JP Estrella? He obviously battled foul trouble. He fouled out in twenty two minutes. But the double, double fifteen and twelve. And it feels like he's someone who we may not talk about him first or second, maybe even third, but just that steadying, quiet veteran presence who's just going to kind of show up. Lunch pail mentality.
Terry Mills • 08:10
Yeah, well, it all starts with JP because he was the first sign he wants to be here. And you can just see that. I mean, he kind of feeds off of this crowd. And I expect good things. I mean, he's a high IQ player, knows how to score, score, knows how to, you know, get underneath a zone and, you know, let's give Oakland credit. I mean, they came in here and they were game to play. And I tell you what, anytime you're facing a team like Oakland who has that unique defense, that one one three defense, I mean, and you haven't seen it all year and probably won't see it, but once in a lifetime, it's tough to play against.
Rob Joyce • 08:48
Absolutely. Now it gets a very real Friday night in Boston, a rematch from seven months ago in Indianapolis. Obviously, the stakes aren't as high, but certainly it ramps up a level here with UConn coming on Friday.
Terry Mills • 08:59
Yes, it does. And you know, Michigan's got to worry about trying to get healthy. Hopefully they can have Moussa Chan back and, you know, kind of be at full tilt, if you will. I mean, we're battling a lot of energy, but that's no excuse whatsoever. I mean, this next man up when it comes to being a Michigan Wolverine, and I think they'll be game.
Rob Joyce • 09:18
Terry, good stuff. We'll talk Friday from Beantown.
Terry Mills • 09:20
Thank you. Appreciate it. Rob,
Brian Boesch • 09:22
Great stuff, as always from T. Mills. Before we visit with Mike Boynton junior A reminder about a great event coming up next week here in Ann Arbor. From our friends at Foguth Financial Group, the proud wealth management partner of Michigan Athletics. After the night out of the big house sold out earlier this year, there's a new date it was added. It's coming up Tuesday, November tenth, a week away. You can learn strategies for managing the risks of retirement, enjoy complimentary dinner and drinks, door prizes, and you get exclusive access to Tour Michigan Stadium. Just head over to mgoblue dot com BIGHOUSE to sign up. That's mgoblue dot com BIGHOUSE thanks to our friends at Foguth Financial Group and thanks to our friend Mike Boynton junior His first win as the head coach of Michigan men's basketball. Here's our conversation after the game.
Brian Boesch • 10:06
Before we get into the game, nice little presentation with the team right afterward. You've always been about, hey, it's not about me, all of that, but it has to have a special meaning that this group was able to overcome some unique situations this offseason and get a win that really counts here to start.
Mike Boynton Jr. • 10:23
Yeah, you think back to June when these guys were put in a little bit of a stressful situation, if you to put it one way that they decided to stick together and allowed me to have the opportunity to lead them. Certainly feels special to go out there and win our first one together in an official capacity.
Brian Boesch • 10:40
Something that we talked about pregame that's been an unfortunate staple is some ebbs and flows to your lineup. With Moustapha Thiam out, how did JP Estrella, we'll start with him, impact the game and maybe a little bit of a different role than he might have had if Mustafa was out there.
Mike Boynton Jr. • 10:53
Yeah, he was a presence. He was a force. I thought he dominated the game for the first half for sure. He gave us tremendous rim presence on both ends of the court, rebounding and then finishing on offense. And again he just gave us a hub that we could play through knowing that they were going to play their zone. Sometimes it forces you to play a little bit more perimeter oriented, but our team was really focused on letting him do his thing inside.
Brian Boesch • 11:14
Oscar Goodman didn't have the same type of stats with the fifteen points and twelve rebounds a career high like JP did, but he was plus twenty three second only to jp. How did he impact things in ways other than maybe the points, rebounds, etcetera.
Mike Boynton Jr. • 11:28
Yeah, I thought he brought great energy. He flew around out there. I thought he was competing on the glass, an area where we quite honestly struggled in tonight. But I thought he was one of the guys that was in the fight for the most part tonight. The ball just didn't go in for him and so that happens sometimes. But his ability to find other ways to impact our team in a positive way was really, really impressive.
Brian Boesch • 11:46
It didn't go in for A lot of your players from deep, except for Quinn Costello, the jolt he provided, how did that affect the game?
Mike Boynton Jr. • 11:52
Yeah, I mean, he brings great leverage to our offense. He's a guy that is a weapon out there for us and the guys have confidence in him. We told him he was going to have a bunch of opportunities out there and he was ready to shoot most of the time. And he gave us certainly some separation a couple times during the game because of his shooting.
Brian Boesch • 12:08
What'd you guys learn from how your team handled the zone? It seemed like again, there were some positives and some challenges.
Mike Boynton Jr. • 12:14
Yeah, it was, it was really, really encouraging because it was the first time we've really seen zone this group. And so in terms of the way we tried to attack it, I thought was right. We got the ball to the spaces on the floor where we got good shots and I thought for the most part we made good decisions. There was only a couple, I thought, questionable shots from us in the first half and then the second half and when they were even better shots. Again, it was a night where the ball just didn't go into the basket and I think sometimes that gets you in your head some and you start pressing on the next one. But again, I was pleased with the way we continued to defend even though we weren't shooting the ball particularly well.
Brian Boesch • 12:46
There were bursts where we saw that defense that I know you want to see. When those showed up, what did you like most about your group's defensive?
Mike Boynton Jr. • 12:54
It allowed us to get out and run, get some easy baskets and we needed some easy baskets because we weren't shooting well. It also, I think, gave our team some energy, just got our bench into it, got the crowd into it. And those are momentum building plays. When you get a thirty second violation or you're forced to turn over in the backcourt or things like that, those are plays that are uplifted for your team and demoralizing for the other.
Brian Boesch • 13:15
And lastly, you had three tune ups. A lot of practice, but it has to be a little different when it counts with a group that again, has had to be creative with how this looked rotation wise. How much does tonight, just getting that, getting the win help this unit?
Mike Boynton Jr. • 13:30
Oh, it's huge. You know, again, there's two options at the end of the game tonight. You know, we got the better one and we look forward to trying to build off of this again. This team's going to look a little bit different as we unfold here the next few weeks and we'll be a better and different team in the Months to come.
Brian Boesch • 13:44
Congrats coach.
Mike Boynton Jr. • 13:45
Thank you very much.
Brian Boesch • 13:47
Three player interviews to share with you. Right after the game, Quinn Costello stopped by our broadcast perch. Your first collegiate game regular season wise, how did it feel and why were you successful tonight?
Quinn Costello • 13:58
I mean I just came out here and did what I've been doing all summer, all preseason. Not much different. Obviously it was a little bit different luck with the zone, which is beneficial for shooters like me, but yeah, that's kind of it.
Terry Mills • 14:10
Yeah, you're a natural shooter. What has been the hardest thing to adjust to as far as college basketball?
Quinn Costello • 14:16
I'll say probably the physicality. Like we switch a lot on defense. So staying in front of smaller guards and then also guarding bigger guys out in the paint, it's like a variety of both. So that's probably the biggest adjustment I had to make
Brian Boesch • 14:27
for you guys. Defensively it was kind of an ebb and flow. When you guys were really playing well defensively, what was clicking?
Quinn Costello • 14:33
I think just ball pressure. Like I think we went, we went on a couple runs just because we made him uncomfortable out on the perimeter and forced like forcing turnovers through the ball bounds a couple times and stuff like that.
Terry Mills • 14:45
Well Quinn, it's time to move on. And you headed back home. Want to know if I can lean on it to get a ticket for me?
Quinn Costello • 14:51
Maybe. We'll see. I'm trying to get. I'm trying to get a lot of stuff. We'll see.
Brian Boesch • 14:54
How many requests you up to so far?
Quinn Costello • 14:56
I think I'm around like fifteen right now probably. So
Brian Boesch • 14:59
Based on proximity there might be a little more. Yukon fans of Michigan, so we need the Costello's to show out. Quinn, congratulations and we'll talk on Friday.
Quinn Costello • 15:07
Appreciate it.
Brian Boesch • 15:08
Now let's visit with a man who gobbled up a career high twelve rebounds, added fifteen points in just twenty two minutes. We've talked about him plenty already. Let's hear from JP Estrella. JP Estrella, fifteen points, career high twelve rebounds. What was working for you?
JP Estrella • 15:21
Yeah, I feel like just me crashing the oak ass. It means doing a good job, boxing out, getting rebounds, ex my teammates. That was really my main goal going into this game and worked out great.
Brian Boesch • 15:29
With no Moustapha, you've had to deal with some absences throughout the course of the exhibition slate. How difficult was it to adjust without Thiam out there?
JP Estrella • 15:36
Yeah, no, it's definitely. It's definitely tough not moving, not being out there. Another big body, someone I've been working out with and playing with pretty much this whole summer. But I feel like we adjusted really well. And honestly, we hope him the best and hopefully he should be with us really soon.
Brian Boesch • 15:48
What did Oscar provide? Not a high point total, but other than you, he had the highest plus minus. How was he able to impact the game
JP Estrella • 15:54
defensively? Offensively, moving the ball, just getting open shots, getting to his shot, rebounding, just doing all the dirty work. Also, I feel like he just did an amazing job in all those aspects.
Brian Boesch • 16:02
And lastly, defensively, you guys had some switches, some. Some challenges there. When you guys were clicking, what was working?
JP Estrella • 16:09
Honestly, when we were clicking, we were just popping the ball really well. We was getting out, transition, guarding the ball, getting stops, getting rebounds. I feel like that was the main reason why we won the game.
Brian Boesch • 16:18
Enjoy it. Thanks, JP.
JP Estrella • 16:19
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Brian Boesch • 16:19
One more player conversation. Here's my chat with the starting big man in place of Moustapha Thiam. Oscar Goodman. First off, when did you find out you were going to get the start? And as someone who's poured so much into this program, what did it mean to you?
Brian Boesch • 16:31
I found out yesterday at practice. Mike B
Oscar Goodman • 16:33
Mike B just walked past me and said, you starting tomorrow, moves out. That was. That was it, yeah.
Brian Boesch • 16:37
What do you think you did to impact the game? The points, rebounds weren't high, but you were a plus twenty three only. JP had more,
Oscar Goodman • 16:44
I think, like just rebounding. Like
Brian Boesch • 16:46
I came up with a few good rebounds when we needed them. And then defensively just
Oscar Goodman • 16:50
being more in the gaps, I think just helping the guards out if they got beat.
Brian Boesch • 16:53
Did you guys like the looks you got from three? Not a lot of them fell, but did they feel like they were in the rhythm even against the zone?
Oscar Goodman • 17:00
No, they were great shots. We just didn't shoot it well tonight. They're going to fall the next few coming games.
Brian Boesch • 17:05
What did JP provide and what was it like for you guys to get out there and have some of the minutes together that you had?
Oscar Goodman • 17:10
I think he was just a monster on the glass. He definitely held it down for us at times and he's just been, you know, good player, good person.
Brian Boesch • 17:19
And defensively, what were your key takeaways? There were some stretches that looked like the defense we saw at times last year.
Oscar Goodman • 17:25
Yeah, I think it was just one on one defense in the first half. They were kind of just getting to their spots and getting the looks that they wanted. So I think just out us taking pride in guarding one on one was the key factor in the second half.
Brian Boesch • 17:36
Appreciate you, man. Congrats.
Oscar Goodman • 17:37
Thank you.
Brian Boesch • 17:38
Once again this season, we're bringing back our post game live streams. After most Michigan home victories, we Had Jordan Morgan, former Michigan great with us. You can catch the entire stream on the Michigan Athletics YouTube channel. Some great analysis and insight from jmo, but did want to bring you our conversation with associate head coach Mike Martin. From that chat, Coach, just your initial takeaways from. From everything. You've had a whirlwind last few months, just like so many in this program. What was it like to finally get out there in a game that counts and get a win that counts?
Mike Martin • 18:10
Yeah, it was great. You know what, obviously there's going to be a lot for us to clean up from tonight, but it was awesome to be about to be out there in front of the Chrysler fans and for our guys to, you know, experience that. And I thought we had a lot of really good moments, a lot of positives. And you know, winning is. Winning is not easy. Although last year's team probably made it look easy at times. Winning's not easy and I thought we did a lot of good tonight and certainly some things to clean up.
Jordan Morgan • 18:40
Yeah, one thing that I noticed tonight, coach, was on the defensive end, especially missing Moose and missing Joe. I really like Joe so far. Not just his offensive game, but his defensive presence. He is confident on a defensive end. Just talk a little bit about what it meant to
Jordan Morgan • 18:54
have those guys out tonight and the presence that they bring on.
Jordan Morgan • 18:57
On both. Both ends of the court.
Mike Martin • 18:59
No doubt. Yeah, I think you're right on there, Jordan. You know, a couple guys out and we needed some other guys to step up and obviously we had a lot of guys get opportunity and I think there was a lot of positives that came out of tonight. All this experience is going to help us as we move forward. I thought we had some really good defensive possessions, especially as we settled in. I think early on we were, you know, probably not as good as we needed to be. Defending the balance. And then, you know, in the second half I thought we. However, you know, two huge parts of defense, you know this better than anyone. Finishing possessions with defensive rebounding and defending without fouling. Right. So, you know, if you look at Oakland's field goal percentage in the second half, both overall and from three, that's really good. What's not is us allowing sixteen second half offensive rebounds and them get to the free throw line like they did. So obviously we're gonna have to get a lot better there.
Brian Boesch • 19:57
This is a group that doesn't play a whole lot of zone, so it's probably a little bit more challenging to prepare for the zone. You told Terry Mills at halftime that you liked how this offense was able to attack in the middle and behind Roddy was a key part of that. How did they kind of maybe in real time learn and glean from a group that, yeah, you can watch as much film as you want and, and drill it for a few days, but if you're not at a. At the core a zone team, it is got to be difficult to acclimate, especially when the bullets are flying.
Mike Martin • 20:28
Yeah. And that's, and that's why it's a good game for us to play. Right. To see a team that plays this kind of unique zone extended zone. I thought once we settled in after that eighteen thirteen deficit, our offense for the rest of that first half was awesome. I thought JP and Roddy were a huge part of that. Getting the ball behind the zone, getting the ball in the middle of the zone. Obviously, jp's foul trouble in the second half probably hurts our zone offense a little bit. He also generated a lot of second chance points for us with his rebounding. And then guys, I thought, I mean, seven for thirty four from three. I can't think of too many that I would want us to not take. I thought we got some really good looks by some guys. We expect to make shots, and for us to still put up eighty four points, I think we're one point two points per possession despite shooting twenty percent from three. Probably a lot of good. Probably a lot of good there.
Jordan Morgan • 21:17
Yeah, you mentioned, you mentioned Roddy. Talk to me about what it's like to, as an asset to have a guy like Roddy Yale back with the group, obviously third year at Michigan, so carrying over that culture, the Michigan culture and the championship culture and how. How much of an asset that is to his teammates and to you guys as coaches.
Mike Martin • 21:36
It's great to have out there. Jordan, he's. He's seen. So he's seen it all at this point. Right. And he's won. He's seen, he's played a lot of basketball and he's won a lot of basketball games at the highest level. So to have him and his versatility at right, I thought he was really key in getting us some, you know, baskets at the rim, whether he was scoring or dumping it down. And then I thought when he switched on to some of their bigger guys, he probably did as good as anyone defending fields around the basket with his strength and his quickness. So. Yeah, welcome, welcome addition after, you know, not playing the first couple exhibition games. And I think he's going to continue to get better and better.
Brian Boesch • 22:15
Quinn Costello, obviously, the three Point shot will be much discussed and he was one of the few guys who was able to hit it consistently with that around twenty percent. But coach Boynton said earlier this week about just trying to get him to average defensively because of how much he can sway things offensively. I saw some good in his defense today. What did you think? I know it's still a building block for him, but it seems like he is picking it up quickly.
Mike Martin • 22:44
He's, you know what Quinn is, not only is he really competitive, he works at it guys like every day after practice he's out there getting reps, you know, in different situations defensively. Right. And coach Kyle Church and him put in a ton of work there. He's going to continue to get better and better. The thing that he has going for me, six ten, right. So he's got size. You have to get a block shot tonight. I think he had a couple deflections because of his size. He's going to continue to get better on the glass, defensive rebounding and obviously at the other end of the court he is, he's such a weapon and he got it going a little bit there early second half and continue to get really good looks that we know are going to go in as we continue to go forward here.
Jordan Morgan • 23:24
Yeah, strong, strong. I mean decent
Jordan Morgan • 23:26
four rebounds from him in that, in that twenty minute stretch. You know, talking about, I, I like the new guys that we got. I like the Quinn Costello. I mentioned Joe earlier and then the Ricky Liburd. Obviously like, you know, this team is different than last year. Some of the things that we lose, we lose a lot of like leadership. Obviously you got lost three lottery picks, but you lose Nimari Burnett, you lose Will Tschetter. You gotta bring guys along like the Ricky Liburds, like the Quinn Costellos, like the Joe Hartmans. How do you guys balance? Obviously being competitive but you know, it's my opinion that we need those guys. Like our season is going to depend on how quickly those guys can get game ready and be ready to deliver for this team on a consistent basis.
Mike Martin • 24:00
I think you're right, Jordan. I think and you know, obviously they wouldn't be out there if we didn't think they could impact winning. But I think their development is going to come through playing, you know that better than anyone. It's like, you know, we're, you know, our, our guys. There's a track record here of guys improvement and development over the course of time and there's no better teacher than, you know, real game experience. So for them to get those reps Ricky got great looks tonight, I think. I thought he did a lot of good defensively and those shots are going to fall. He shoots it so well in practice that, you know, it's. It's for him, you know, really probably first time right out there in front of the Crisler crowd in a regular season game. And he's only going to be better because of this experience.
Brian Boesch • 24:46
Absolutely, understood that. You know, JP Estrella, he was in many cases the star of the show, especially in that first half. Oscar Goodman was only two points shy of him in the plus minus. The box score isn't as boisterous with six points, five boards, two assists. But tell us about some of his winning plays and why you think he had such an impact in his first career start. A guy who's paid his dues. He was here winter semester of the twenty four twenty five season. So he's put a lot of sweat equity into a place where he hasn't really contributed much in games that matter and in times of doubt in the game. But how did he sway things tonight?
Mike Martin • 25:24
Yeah, I thought he passed well against his own. I thought he moved really well. I thought he had a baseline cut that led to a lap. He had a really good transition run that led to a layup. So he is, you know, he's big, he's physical, but he's also got a really high iq. And, you know, when you play against zone defense, obviously shooting helps, but like, and Mike says this all the time, really good passing teams are usually best against zones. Right. And you have guys like Oscar
Mike Martin • 25:50
with that size and that ability to pass the ball. Obviously we all know how well our guards can pass it, led by Elliot. But, you know, I thought our zone attack, you know, was at its best when we were getting the thing moving and passing. I thought Oscar was a big part of that and thought he had some really good defensive moments, too, especially flying in for some rebounds.
Jordan Morgan • 26:07
You got. You know, people have been deeming this for the best backcourt in basketball between Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney. It's been fascinating to watch Elliott pace himself offensively. Five shots tonight. You know, he's not pressed. He's. He's been to the peak. You know, he's been to the pinnacle. Right. So he's not pressed to get going. And you can see that he has a concerted effort on getting, getting his teammates going. But as coaches, how do you think about not letting their talent become a crutch? Like making sure that everyone is involved in the offense, making sure the ball is Moving, the players are moving and that everyone is getting looks and being put in a position to be successful.
Mike Martin • 26:42
Yeah. I thought, by the way, Jordan, I thought Elliott's first half defense was spectacular. I thought his ball pressure, I thought his, his switching, his physicality. I thought he was so good. He generated a lot of our, our transition looks, you know, obviously once he got the ball in his hands, but before that, with his defense and his presence. Yeah, I mean, EC is like, you know, he knows how important all these other guys are. He. He sees things, plays ahead, he sees the big picture. Like, he
Mike Martin • 27:11
knows how important all these new guys are that you just mentioned. And he's trying to get them going. He's trying to generate great shots for them and you know, he's going to continue to, you know, do that. And you know, it's as, as a coaching staff, it makes you feel that much better when you have that guy running the show.
Jordan Morgan • 27:28
Absolutely.
Brian Boesch • 27:29
Before we let you go, you were a head coach for fourteen years at your alma mater. Now you are in, in a role where you're going to be leaned on probably for more basketball specific things than you've had to do for the last fourteen years. There's a lot of other elements to all of this, but what's the acclimation process been like to. To. To doing a scout every three games approximately, to being here in Ann Arbor and, and not having as much of what you're doing here as maybe you would have as the head coach? It's a different role, but it does probably slant a little more toward basketball focus, doesn't it?
Mike Martin • 28:08
I think you're right. Yeah. I mean, as a head coach, you're, you know, CEO and you're thinking about so many other things. And obviously I'm still trying to think through that lens as I try to assist Mike and support our staff. We have an amazing staff, as you guys know. And I think the way that we work all together, you know, we're going to continue to learn each other and grow and get better, but I think we, I think we're working really well together right now and it's a. I'm grateful to be here, Brian. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to have and, you know, try to, you know, Mike says it all the time. We're here to serve our players. We're here to win at the highest level and I want to continue to try to do that as best I can.
Brian Boesch • 28:45
Jamo anything final for coach.
Jordan Morgan • 28:47
Look, look, you know, you asked about him coming here. This is non basketball you mentioned that you weren't interested in leaving Brown particularly, but Michigan checked every box. How has your time been here in Ann Arbor? You, the family? How has adjustment been?
Mike Martin • 29:03
Yeah, we're loving it. So I have three daughters. My wife Kristin and I have three daughters and, you know, fifteen, thirteen and twelve year olds. So, like, definitely not the time where you're thinking about uprooting, you know, especially when you're at a place you love. But this place is special, right? It has every everything. An elite academic school, an incredible brand, obviously a program that can win at the highest level and has unbelievable tradition. So I've got a lot to learn, but I'm enjoying the learning curve. I'm enjoying being around some of the very best and brightest, right, both student athletes and the staff and people I get to work with.
Brian Boesch • 29:42
Mike Martin, we're thankful to have you. We appreciate you making some time after the win tonight and we'll be talking to you up in Boston later this week.
Mike Martin • 29:49
Awesome. Thanks, guys. Go blue
Brian Boesch • 29:50
Again, check out Michigan athletics YouTube feed for the full breakdown with Jamo and me. But great to have Mike Martin very thankful for his time. All right, before we get out of here, the highlight recap to narrate that, once again, we bring in Rob Joyce.
Rob Joyce • 30:05
Good offensive start for both sides. Four lead changes in the opening two minutes, then a couple of JP Estrella buckets helped the Wolverines lead by as many as five early on as the Golden Grizzlies hung around a couple of makes from distance and then Oakland started to get hot.
Brian Boesch • 30:18
Nolan had an open look, didn't take it. Now right side Cadeau. Shot clock halfway
Brian Boesch • 30:23
gone. Zip inside Noland leave it for Reed. Reverses. Nowhere close. Got a little in between there. Trying to do some contact. Rebound. Golden Grizzlies
Rob Joyce • 30:31
wound up being a ten zero run to take an eighteen thirteen advantage into the under twelve stoppage. Out of that timeout, tide started to turn a bit. Roddy Gayle junior A bucket and Elliot Kado steal and score. Nine minutes to halftime, the Wolverines would have the lead. Back
Brian Boesch • 30:43
fields comes up short. Rebound Estrella for Michigan up ahead. Gail left wing sings it to Goodman for a lay in right block. Left hand. Oh, threading the needle. Roddy Gayle there. Goodman the lay in. It's nineteen eighteen Michigan. No counter punch for the Mason Blue
Rob Joyce • 30:59
became an eight zero U of M run as Oakland went over four minutes between buckets and passed the underrate. Timeout. Michigan started arrest control for this one.
Brian Boesch • 31:06
Off the heel. Rebound back tap by Estrella. Backpacking El Shackery over McKenney Reverses scores, count it to foul. Trey McKenney just drained to three. Now he tries for an old fashioned three point play. Twenty six nineteen Michigan.
Rob Joyce • 31:23
It was a second eight zero spurt in quick succession combined the two. It was a sixteen one. Michigan surge briefly gave the Wolverines a double digit lead with six hundred thirty. The halftime it was twenty nine nineteen U. Of M before Oakland stopped the bleeding Wolverine lead remained multiple scores for the remainder of the half. Golden Grizzlies got to within four. But then the Maize and Blue used one final surge to take their largest first half lead into the locker room and tonight's call. The game brought to you by the experts at University of Michigan health.
Brian Boesch • 31:48
Back Bradley in between the circles with eight on the timer. Zips a pass. Free throw line. Casey bothered there, feet out. Bradley line drive three off to the left. Rebound Estrello with eight seconds left. Shot clock unplugged up ahead. Cadeau with five dances right to left. Alley oop up to Gale who storms and crunches with two hands. An exclamation point for Michigan in the first half. Cadeau and Gayle. Oh, it's great to have Roddy here again.
Rob Joyce • 32:14
That's tonight's call. The game brought to you by Michigan Medicine. There's a difference between an answer and a Michigan answer. To find your Michigan answer, visit michigananswers dot com Wolverine score the final seven points of the half. Led forty seven thirty six at the break. Slower start to the second half for Michigan After a two turnover first twenty minutes. Committed five in five minutes. Out of the locker room, Oakland got back into it. It was forty nine, forty three at the initial media stoppage. Wasn't the smoothest start to the half. Seven minutes in, there were combined five made shots and a combined eleven turnovers. Both teams had scoring droughts. Wolverines in need of a spark. They'd get one from a freshman.
Brian Boesch • 32:49
McKenney to the right side. Costello catch and shoot three. Buried it. Wolverine just their fourth made three and nineteen tries. It's a big one. Fifty two, forty three Wolverines. Nolan quickly over Goodman. Left corner, pop up three. Air balled it but Costello went in there with some physicality. Locks it away from the shore. Laid it up and in low on the right. How about the debut from Quinn Costello?
Rob Joyce • 33:13
How about it? Nice debut for Costello. Thirteen points, four rebounds. Followed up those buckets with another three and a flash. The lead ballooned to sixty two forty seven at the under twelve. Oakland went nearly seven minutes between made field goals, but they weren't out of it yet. Finally made a shot. Went on a little bit of a run. Nine minutes left. It was back down to a single digit game. Sixty two fifty three Michigan A scoring drought, a golden grizzly bucket. It's down to seven and then three. Trey mckenney free throws would end at the eight zero Oakland run and pretty much Michigan was in control from there and then in a spot start with no Moustapha Thiam. He was out sick tonight. It was big O showing off the moves.
Brian Boesch • 33:50
Fields went for a bit of a swim move there almost went out of bounds. Marshall saves it but Goodman plucks it away from ashore. Now Goodman euros banks and scores over Fields. What a move from O and it's sixty nine. Fifty five.
Rob Joyce • 34:05
U of M back kept a seventy run, brought the lead back up to two touchdowns and though it was never really comfortable per se, the outcome was never again in doubt. Five minutes left and McKenney jumper pushed the lead to six. Got a little sloppy in the final minutes. Neither team shot the lights out in the second half as it was. However, Michigan wins going away. It's eighty four sixty eight in the season opener Going the way of the Wolverines.
Brian Boesch • 34:26
That's it for this episode of Defend the Block. Thanks to everybody who made it happen. Can't wait to get up to Boston for the Wolverines and the Yukon Huskies in a rematch of the national championship seven months to the day that Michigan cut down the nets at Lucas Oil Stadium. We appreciate you being here as always as we start another season of Michigan basketball coverage on Defend the Block. Go Blue.
Jeff Laurence • 34:50
Thanks for listening to today's edition of Defend the Block, part of our Michigan Athletics Podcast Network M GO Blue Podcasts. The preceding has been a Learfield presentation of the Michigan Sports Network.
