Mike Boynton Jr. met with the media for the first time as Michigan’s head coach on Tuesday, discussing the transition to the head-coaching role, the roster, and the upcoming trip to Europe.
On carrying last year's process into the new season
I don't necessarily think of it that way. If last year continued, it couldn't, right? We ended at the final point you could end in the way that every team wants to end their season. What you do is you understand that there's a way that that happens, there's a process in which you get to that end result. Our focus every day will be on making sure that that process stays intact and that the guys coming in understand just how hard it was to get to that point, and that the returners don't take it for granted now that they've been able to accomplish the ultimate mission as college basketball players. I feel confident that our staff and the guys who return can continue to send that message to the guys who are here for the first time.
On this year's team developing its own identity
Every team takes on its own personality in many ways. Even last year's team probably looked a little bit different at the end than we thought it would. How you get there just depends on how the team comes together, how quickly guys are able to adjust to their new roles. There was some speculation last year that Yaxel was going to average 25 points a game and run away with National Player of the Year honors, and his game just wasn't about that. Our team adjusted to him being our best player and how he played, but also the way the pieces complemented each other.
We look forward to going through that process this summer with the new guys that are here, trying to figure out who wants to step into which roles, particularly from a leadership standpoint. As much as our talent will look a little bit different, we'll miss guys like Will Tschetter who weren't necessarily highlighted in that manner, and Nimari Burnett and their professionalism and their care for the University of Michigan and Michigan basketball. As much as we'll miss Aday's shot blocking and crazy touch around the rim and Morez's force, we'll need guys to step up into those vocal leadership roles as well.
On contract incentives and expectations
I don't make anything of it. I signed a contract that I read over and felt comfortable with. What I'm focused on is just this team and the opportunity we have to try to build another championship type of season. This job should have high expectations. It's the University of Michigan, we play in the Big Ten, we're coming off one of the greatest years in college basketball history, not even just our program. There should be no expectation that those desires and those goals change. We have a good roster, we feel like we're going to have a really good staff, and now it's time to turn the page and attack it.
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