Michigan Takes Down Oakland 84-68: What We Learned From the Season Opener

The Michigan basketball team is much different than last year. Coming off the national championship, the Wolverines have a new coach and a retooled roster in their quest to defend the title. Michigan hosted Oakland to begin the season and secured an 84-68 victory to start the year 1-0. This performance highlighted both strengths and weaknesses of this Michigan team that will help to shape how the season progresses. Intriguing Debuts Several players made their Michigan debuts on Monday, but a couple stood out. The first player worth highlighting is J.P. Estrella. The transfer forward from Tennessee looked every bit as advertised, delivering 15 points and 12 rebounds despite just playing 22 minutes due to foul trouble. The big man took full advantage of Oakland’s lack of size, dominating the offensive glass and finishing close to the basket. Estrella will be a major factor in Michigan's potential success this season, with his versatility being extremely valuable for the offense.

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