What impressed Phil Martelli during Michigan’s games overseas

Phil Martelli wasn’t going to make up a narrative about group bonding, about teammates who didn’t hang around all that a lot immediately changing into finest buddies whereas standing exterior the Eiffel Tower or boating on the Mediterranean Sea. No, the reality is, these Wolverines have been already a tight-knit bunch. That was solely strengthened throughout Michigan’s 10-day European journey.

The Wolverines returned to Ann Arbor final week in time for the beginning of the autumn semester on Monday. Subsequent week, they’ll resume exercises — particular person instruction and a few fundamental offensive and defensive ideas for the NCAA-allowed eight hours per week. The primary official day of follow is Sep. 26; the primary regular-season sport is Nov. 7.

Michigan acquired a head begin on all of that in its European journey earlier this month. The NCAA permits such journeys each 4 years, and the Wolverines took benefit this summer season, touring to France and Greece for sightseeing and three — properly, 2.5 — exhibition video games.

Workers members mentioned it was a terrific expertise, socially and culturally. The gamers behaved and, hopefully, made lifetime recollections. Along with the video games, Michigan was allowed 10 additional practices earlier than the journey. These have been invaluable, Martelli mentioned.

As for the video games, the Wolverines went 2-1 in opposition to skilled groups, although not one of the video games will rely in opposition to their file.

Towards a high-quality, veteran Provence squad in Paris, Michigan misplaced 86-68. Martelli mentioned the Wolverines have been drained after their journey. Their 23 turnovers didn’t assist. Michigan received its subsequent sport, in opposition to Olympiacos’ junior group in Athens, 95-62.

The third and ultimate sport, in Mykonos, lasted only one 20-minute half, with Michigan outscoring AO Mykonou 49-38. Martelli mentioned the opponent had accidents sustained throughout coaching camp that restricted the obtainable variety of gamers. (A spokesperson for AO Mykonou had mentioned the abbreviated sport was as a result of an influence outage; that was remedied earlier than tip, Martelli mentioned.)

Martelli mentioned the video games confirmed to the teaching employees that Michigan is deep. Head coach Juwan Howard mentioned earlier than the journey that he deliberate to play all people. He did — all 11 obtainable scholarship gamers noticed significant minutes. Michigan has loads to work on over the following couple of months.

“We have to talk at each ends of the ground at a a lot larger degree,” Martelli mentioned. “We’ll share the ball — you’re not taking part in right here if you happen to don’t. We’re a piece in progress defensively. We’ve got to get higher there.”

He mentioned start line guard Jaelin Llewellyn and his again up, Dug McDaniel, have a very good — however not but full — deal with on the playbook and that the group clearly has “power guys.”

“The largest factor within the 2.5 video games was that we didn’t should characteristic Hunter (Dickinson) on each play,” Martelli mentioned of the star heart. “There was this sense of stability on the ground.”

Freshman Youssef Khayat met the group early within the journey, in Paris. It was his first time assembly anyone concerned with this system. Howard welcomed him with a hug.

“We’re so completely happy to have you ever right here,” Howard instructed him. “Lastly.”

“Lastly,” Khayat replied.

Martelli mentioned Khayat is quiet however becoming in. His English just isn’t a problem, regardless of rising up in Lebanon and taking part in the previous couple of years in France. He couldn’t be cleared to play, nevertheless, as a result of he wanted to undergo a bodily required by the college. (He has since finished so and is able to follow.)

“We’ve instructed him he’s not coming right here to be Franz 2.0,” Martelli mentioned, referencing Franz Wagner, a latest German import. “He’s coming right here to be Youssef.” There are similarities although, and that’s a very good factor for Khayat and Michigan.

Joey Baker, a graduate switch from Duke, additionally made the journey however didn’t play. He’s nonetheless recovering from hip surgical procedure and wasn’t fairly prepared for contact.

Even so, Michigan substituted liberally throughout the European tour. Contemplate two gamers who redshirted as freshmen final season, Will Tschetter and Isaiah Barnes. Tschetter, Martelli mentioned, was the tenth or eleventh man in a single sport however made 4 baskets in a single quarter the following. Barnes got here off the bench within the first sport and was a “actual spark.”

As soon as the season begins, Martelli might see an identical factor occurring, the place a participant who wasn’t a consider one sport performs a serious function in one other.

It’s going to assist to have a gradual hand at level guard, and Michigan has that in Llewellyn. Martelli raved about his pace, skill to get within the lane, and “pure” exterior shot. He’ll have to regulate to Michigan’s protection fashion and never retreat to the highest of the important thing, however that can include follow time.

“He’s a grown-up on the court docket,” Martelli mentioned. “That’s comforting for all of us.”

As for the freshmen, McDaniel stood out. “He’s fearless,” Martelli mentioned. Defensively, he confirmed the flexibility to be a pest at occasions in Europe. Tarris Reed Jr., who will again up Dickinson, performed higher because the journey progressed. Jett Howard, who began as small ahead throughout the journey confirmed off his exterior capturing — he made 4 3s in Athens — however must keep away from questionable photographs early within the shot clock. Ahead Gregg Glenn III has been a troublesome competitor.

However this journey was not nearly basketball. It was alternative for the gamers to strengthen their bond earlier than the pressures and grind of the season start. Martelli noticed which gamers have been adventurous — given the choice between the pool and the ocean, Tschetter was the primary to dive in to the open water.

The Wolverines have been already shut. Distanced from campus distractions that was made extra evident.

“They journey in a pack,” Martelli mentioned. “They usually’re noisy.”

That’s a very good factor within the veteran coach’s eyes. A loud group, he mentioned, is a linked group.

The Wolverines hope their expertise abroad this summer season will assist them make much more noise stateside this winter.