Michigan Forward Mitch McGary Uncertain for Season Opener


by Bill DiFilippo / @bflip33

A back injury could keep Michigan big man Mitch McGary out of the Wolverines’ season opener on November 8 against UMass-Lowell.

Last month, McGary aggravated a lower back condition over the summer that limited the sophomore big man, and while he is making progress, UM coach John Beilein told reporters that McGary is making progress, but still day-to-day.

McGary, a former four-star recruit out of Indiana, was one of the Wolverines’ main contributors off the bench last season, 7.5 and 6.3 points per game for the National runners-up. His play in the Tournament, which featured three double-doubles and two 20-point games, was one of the main reasons the Wolverines made it to the National Championship Game.

From ESPN:

“We’re super cautious. He’s been doing these underwater treadmill workouts that are really productive. I know I couldn’t do some of those,” Beilein said Thursday. “If he keeps making this progress, day after day—it’s still day-to-day—one of these days he’s going to have to get out there and see what he can do.”

If healthy, McGary will be part of what should be one of the country’s premier frontcourts, along with senior Jordan Morgan, junior Jon Horford, and sophomore Glenn Robinson III.