Michigan Basketball opens national title defense with win over Oakland – Maize n Brew

Michigan Basketball opens national title defense with win over Oakland  Maize n Brew

The Michigan Wolverines opened their national title defense and a new era under first-year head coach Mike Boynton Jr. with a 84-68 win over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the regular season opener at Crisler Center on Monday. Here’s the recap, highlights and stats. [Media: https://twitter.com/umichbball/status/2117424667577168204] FIRST HALF Both teams traded punches in the early stages and the Wolverines took an 8-5 lead entering the first media timeout. Michigan forward JP Estrella scored four straight points, including a fast-break layup to help grab an early advantage. [Media: https://twitter.com/umichbball/status/2117393567815463168] Following the break in action, Estrella finished another bucket and forward Quinn Costello drilled a three-pointer to put the Wolverines up, 13-8.

But Oakland answered with a 10-0 run to take an 13-8 lead with 11:43 left in the first half. Michigan had a response of its own, as Roddy Gayle Jr. sank a floater and threw a no-look dime to Oscar Goodman for a layup. In just over a minute, Michigan put together an 8-0 run to take a 21-18 lead. The Wolverines continued to dominate the ensuing minutes, as Trey McKenney knocked down a three-pointer and finished an and-one reverse layup. Estrella also scored a hook shot to cap off a 16-1 run and extend the lead to 29-19. [Media: https://twitter.com/B1GMBBall/status/2117401554143600998] Just moments later, McKenney stayed hot by hitting another