Mike Boynton Jr. said Moustapha Thiam is trending toward playing, and he expects that to be the case unless something changes before tipoff.
“I believe so. He was able to practice yesterday, which was encouraging.”
Boynton added that Thiam should go through practice again when the team takes the floor shortly, and that the current expectation is he will be available.
The matchup with UConn, though, comes with a clear stress test for Michigan in the form of rebounding. Boynton pointed to that area as a concern his team has already discussed internally, saying it has been addressed both verbally and on video.
“And this is obviously talking about one of the better, more physical rebounding teams than we've had in our now 3 years here.”
He said the issue is not just about size, but about consistent execution. Boynton noted that the group still has enough size and enough proven rebounders to improve in that area, but he wants to see it show up on the floor.
He also singled out Roddy Gayle, saying he didn’t have a defensive rebound in the last game, something Boynton said the team needs more from. He added that strong rebounding teams usually get help from their guards, not just their bigs.
Boynton then turned to UConn’s glass work, saying the Huskies’ rebounding strength is not built around one player alone. He referenced Braylon Mullins’ work on the boards in the national championship game and said he expects Michigan to have to deal with that again.
The other major theme from Boynton was adjustment, especially for Trey McKenney. He said McKenney’s role has changed, even though the player himself has not.
“It's like Trey is still Trey McKenney, but his role on our team is different.”
Boynton said McKenney was one of the most efficient freshman players in the country last season, but that opposing coaches now have to treat him differently. He described the shift in scouting attention as a major change, with McKenney moving from being one of several threats to a player who now sits near the top of the report.
He said that means McKenney will have to handle more physical attention and adjust how he creates advantages for others. Boynton mentioned JP, Quinn, Ricky and Oscar as players who could benefit from the extra focus McKenney draws.
He said the same kind of adjustment applies to Elliot, who may be asked to score more, and Roddy, who may be asked to do more as a playmaker. Boynton said it will take time for the team to settle into its new identity.
“And this is obviously talking about one of the better, more physical rebounding teams than we've had in our now 3 years here.”
In Other News...
Michigan Just Got A Needed Recruiting Win At The Right Time
Michigan picked up a timely boost on the recruiting trail when Xavier Muhammad, one of the more highly regarded defensive line prospects in the 2027 class, reaffirmed his commitment to the Wolverines and passed on official visits to other programs, including Texas. For a program that always has to balance on-field priorities with long-term roster building, keeping a player of Muhammads caliber in the fold matters, especially as the season winds down and recruiting momentum starts to take shape.
Muhammad is still expected to make it to Ann Arbor for Michigans final home game of the season, a good sign that the relationship remains strong even with other schools trying to stay in the mix. His pledge also gives the Wolverines another important piece in a class that is already helping shape how the 2027 rankings look, and it leaves Michigan in position to keep pushing for more stability on the defensive front. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Just Added A Famous Wolverine To Rivalry Week
Rivalry week already has enough built-in theater, but Michigan added a little more with a celebrity nod that fits the moment. The program announced that actor Hugh Jackman will be part of the buildup for the Wolverines' game against Michigan State, and he showed clear excitement in a social media post and video shared by the team.
The matchup is set for Michigan Stadium, with Peacock and NBCSN carrying the broadcast, so the stage is already big enough without any extra help. Still, bringing in a famous Wolverine gives the rivalry another layer of buzz, and it is the kind of detail that tends to travel quickly once the pregame attention starts to build. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Showed Something Against UConn That Wolverines Fans Will Notice
Michigans trip to TD Garden ended with an 85-77 loss to UConn, but the Wolverines still left with something to build on in a rematch of the 2026 national championship. Trey McKenney was the headliner for Michigan, pouring in a career-high 22 points and giving the Wolverines a scoring punch they needed against a high-level opponent.
J.P. Estrella and Roddy Gayle Jr. also made meaningful contributions, which mattered in a game that asked Michigan to answer when UConn pushed the pace and the pressure. The result still counts in the loss column, but the performance offered a glimpse of what this group can be when it is balanced and aggressive, and now the attention shifts to a home date with Marquette. [Read more 🡒]