Five takeaways from Michigan’s season-opening win over Oakland

For the second year in a row, Michigan opened its season with a win against Oakland after pulling away late, 84-68.

It wasn’t without its difficulties or errors, though, as the Wolverines were outhustled on the glass, shot 20.6% from three, and couldn’t start Moustapha Thiam due to illness. However, Michigan won the possession battle and capitalized enough off fast breaks to start their season with a notch in the win column.

From the Wolverines’ season opener, here are five takeaways: Oscar Goodman starting, Quinn Costello’s place in the rotation, struggles on the glass, a poor shooting night, and ultimate success from inside the paint.

1. Oakland out-rebounded a taller, more physical Michigan

Through three exhibition games, Michigan got out-rebounded by two of its opponents: Oregon State by eight and Houston by 12. Against a smaller team with no true center, albeit without their own, the Wolverines were out-rebounded again on Monday night.

Oakland’s total included 21 offensive rebounds, more than the Beavers and the Cougars combined. Michigan’s bigs weren’t absolutely prolific on the defensive glass — with JP Estrella, Goodman and Jalen Reed combining for 13 defensive rebounds — but the buck doesn’t stop at them

After the loss to Houston, Roddy Gayle Jr. moved some of the blame onto himself:

“I think we ask our bigs to do a tough job to be able to keep these animals off the glass. I think it starts with our guards and our wings rebounding down.”

Mike Boynton Jr. echoed that statement, shifting the blame back onto his backcourt after Monday’s effort.

“Moustapha will help, no question, but our guards have to rebound better. Roddy had one defensive rebound, that’s not going to be good enough,” Boynton said. “ … We have two really good rebounding bigs, and our guards haven’t really understood yet how important it is that they get in the fight with those guys, particularly in these really high-stakes physical battles.”