Michigan held off a feisty Oregon State team Friday night to grab its second exhibition win of the season, 98-92.
Despite playing just 17 minutes combined in the first half, the Wolverines’ top-billed backcourt duo of Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney once again led the way, with plenty of help from transfer big man Moustapha Thiam. The trio combined for 64 of Michigan’s points.
The Wolverines were able to eke out the win, but admit they have plenty left to hash out before the season officially kicks off Nov. 2. Here are five takeaways from the night, including thoughts on Kenny Noland’s impact, second-half defensive struggles, a new coach making a key contribution, and the state of Michigan’s frontcourt.
1. Michigan needed Kenny Noland, and he answered the call
More out of necessity than anything else, Wolverines fans saw plenty of Kenny Noland Friday. With McKenney and Cadeau picking up early fouls that sidelined them for the final eight minutes of the first half, the graduate transfer from Columbia took over the floor-general duties.
Noland used the opportunity to make a case for why his new staff places so much value in him as a depth piece. He finished +8 in 12 minutes on the floor in the first half, notching six points on 3-for-6 shooting and two assists. Noland ended the night +18 in 23 minutes.
“(Noland) was doing everything well,” Cadeau said. “He wasn’t turning the ball over, and he was very efficient shooting the ball, too, so that’s definitely what we need from another point guard.”
While not finding any success in his two attempts from beyond the arc, Noland exuded confidence driving into the lane through traffic, finishing every one of his baskets at the rim in the face of the Beavers’ sizable frontcourt. As Cadeau referenced, he kept his slate clean in the turnover category while still managing to give his teammates some ideal looks inside and out.
Mike Boynton Jr. was thoroughly satisfied with what Noland provided given the circumstances. Noland came to Ann Arbor to provide stability, but Boynton also doesn’t want to make a habit out of leaning on his backup point guard as much as he did on Friday.
“We watched tape of I don’t even know how many people and (Noland) was kind of the perfect person in terms of super high floor, but somebody who’s been through some battles, who’s seen some things, but also has an appreciation for being here at Michigan and competing at a really high level, and he brings a high degree of intellect to the game,” Boynton said. “He can shoot the ball. He scored it really well in his previous stop. We won’t ask him to do that as much, but on a night like tonight, where we need him to, he’s capable of doing it.”
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