Michigan got a bit of good news on Friday, even if the bigger picture still hurts.
The program said freshman guard Brandon McCoy Jr. had successful surgery on Thursday to repair the torn ACL in his right knee. The operation was done by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, an orthopedic surgeon in Los Angeles who also serves as the head team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Rams.
McCoy is expected to start his recovery now, with a return for the 2027-28 season hoped for down the line.
It’s a tough break for a Michigan team that was already dealing with major change after Dusty May left for the Dallas Mavericks this summer. McCoy was one of the most anticipated players in the 2026 recruiting class, arriving as a five-star prospect, the No. 10 player nationally and the No. 2 point guard in the country according to 247Sports.
He was also the centerpiece of a class that finished No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in the Big Ten.
Michigan brought McCoy in for his elite playmaking and versatility, and the expectation was that he’d step in right away and play major minutes next to returning guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney, giving Boynton one of the more dangerous backcourts in the Big Ten.
Now that plan has to change. Michigan will have to find scoring and minutes somewhere else, whether that comes from veterans already on the roster or another freshman in the class.
For a program that was counting on McCoy this season, the loss is a significant one. Boynton and his staff will need to reshuffle the board, and that adjustment figures to be one of the more interesting storylines as the college basketball season gets closer.
In Other News...
Urban Meyer Sees A Bigger Michigan QB Problem Than Fans Realize
Michigans quarterback situation is still drawing national attention, and Urban Meyer added another layer to the conversation on The Triple Option Podcast. He pointed to the relationship between head coach Kyle Whittingham and Bryce Underwood as a key part of the picture, while also flagging Underwoods physical underdevelopment as something that could matter once the season starts to get real.
Meyer also brought backup Tommy Carr into the discussion, suggesting there is at least some competition waiting in the wings if the starter doesnt separate himself. His bigger point was simple enough: Whittingham is going to play whoever gives the Wolverines the best chance to win, and a loss to Oklahoma could force some significant changes early in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Bryce Underwood Faces A Bigger Michigan Test Than Fans Wanted
Bryce Underwoods first outing of the 2026 season gave Michigan a little of everything. The sophomore quarterback and former No. 1 overall recruit finished 12-of-22 for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception against Western Michigan, enough to show the talent that made him such a coveted prospect, but also enough unevenness to keep the questions close to the surface. Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt noted that Underwood looked like he had regressed from the previous year, pointing to decision-making and other parts of his game that still need sharpening.
Now comes a far less forgiving stage. Michigans next opponent is No. 11 Oklahoma, and the Sooners bring a defense that will stress the very areas that were under the microscope in the opener. For Underwood, it is the kind of early-season test that can either steady the conversation around his development or make it louder, and it arrives before the Wolverines have much time to settle the debate. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Just Got A Tougher Oklahoma Test Up Front
Oklahomas offensive line is taking shape at just the right time for a meeting with Michigan, and the Sooners are getting a key piece back. Center Jake Maikkula is expected to return from a knee injury for the game, giving Oklahoma another experienced body in the middle as it continues to settle in up front.
The rest of the line is shifting around, too, with Week 1 center Noah Best sliding to right guard and Ryan Fodje set to return at left tackle after his shoulder injury. For Michigan, those changes make this a different kind of test than it looked like a few days ago, because the Wolverines now have to prepare for a more seasoned group that should be better equipped to handle pressure and protect the quarterback. [Read more 🡒]