Michigan opens its preseason slate Sunday afternoon with a home exhibition against Eastern Michigan, the first of three tune-up games on the schedule. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. on B1G+.
It’s also the first game of a new era on both benches. Eastern Michigan is debuting under head coach Billy Donlon, while Michigan is taking the floor for the first time with Mike Boynton Jr. in charge. Boynton said Thursday that this group needs to build its own identity, and that starts now.
Eastern Michigan enters with a reset in mind. The Eagles have not won a game at the MAC Tournament since 2018, and this matchup gives Donlon an early chance to start changing that story.
Donlon’s background makes the matchup worth watching from a defensive angle. He was once on Michigan’s staff and coached the Wolverines’ defense in 2016-17, helping them win the Big Ten Tournament and reach the Sweet Sixteen. After that one-year stop in Ann Arbor, he moved on to an assistant role at Northwestern, then became head coach at Kansas City, and most recently rejoined Brad Brownell’s staff at Clemson.
That Clemson connection matters because defense has long been Donlon’s calling card. The Tigers posted top-40 defenses in each of the last three seasons with Donlon on staff, and everything about his track record points toward the same approach in Ypsilanti.
For Michigan fans looking to follow along, Sunday’s game is part of a run of four Wolverines matchups on B1G+ between now and mid-November. The others are Oregon State on Oct.
16, Houston on Oct. 25, and William & Mary on Nov. 15.
The annual pass is being offered at 50% off through January 1 with promo code B1GPLUS50, and B1G+ also has a Winter Pass at $44.99, a Season Pass at $34.99, and a Monthly Pass at $12.99. Oregon State and Houston can also be purchased as one-off pay-per-views.
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For Michigan, the spotlight will be on how the fresh roster pieces fit early, especially newcomers Kenny Noland and Roddy Gayle Jr. Both are expected to take part in the exhibition, and their presence should offer at least a first glimpse at how Boynton wants this team to look before the games start counting for real. [Read more 🡒]