Michigan Wolverines begin quest for national championship against Oakland Grizzlies in season opener
- Chas Post
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Updated: a few seconds ago
The Michigan Wolverines tip off the 2026 campaign against in-state opponent the Oakland Grizzlies in the regular season opener at Crisler Center on Monday! Michigan enters the season with legitimate Big Ten and national championship aspirations in head coach Dusty May’s second year with the program.
In addition to returning starting guards Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle Jr, the Wolverines added the top ranked transfer Yaxel Lendeborg, alongside former North Carolina guard Elliot Cadeau, Illinois forward Morez Johnson Jr, UCLA center Aday Mara and 5-star freshman shooting guard Trey McKenney.
Michigan opens the regular season against Oakland before facing stiff competition in non-conference play including matchups with Auburn and San Diego State in the Player Era Festival this month, as well as games against TCU, Villanova and Wake Forest before the Big Ten slate gets underway in December.
“This group has gelled. Our culture and environment is established so the expectations are clear,” May told the media. "We're still figuring out exactly what our identity is but we're going to share the ball and play with pace, and put versatile, determined defenders on the court and see what we can evolve into.”
"I want to get to the Final Four. I think we deserve it as a program and we want to do our best for the fans," Lendeborg said. "For me, I want to win the player of the year in the conference and be the best defensive player in the nation. I really want to try to be the best all-around player in college basketball."
Michigan went 27-10 last year, winning the Big Ten Tournament and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in May’s first season at the helm. Now, the Wolverines want to take the next step by capturing just the second national championship in program history, and that quest will officially start against Oakland.
