Sam Novotny

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Women's Basketball Beat Writer at The Michigan Daily

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Articles

Yaxel Lendeborg commits to Michigan, keeps name in NBA draft

1 month ago | michigandaily.com | Sam Novotny

The Michigan men’s basketball team has received another commitment from the transfer portal. According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, highly touted prospect forward Yaxel Lendeborg has committed to play for the Wolverines. This move will shore up Michigan’s frontcourt alongside fellow transfer forwards Morez Johnson Jr., but it hinges upon another decision for Lendeborg. He will be keeping his name in the NBA Draft while maintaining eligibility, seeking out a chance to turn professional this summer.
Illinois transfer Morez Johnson Jr. commits to Michigan

1 month ago | michigandaily.com | Sam Novotny

The Michigan men’s basketball team has made its first move in an attempt to replace graduate center Vlad Goldin. On Tuesday, the Wolverines brought in Morez Johnson Jr. from Illinois according to Scott Burgess of PrepHoops. Johnson is a former four-star recruit who played one season for the Fighting Illini. Johnson’s single season at Illinois saw him predominantly in a role off the bench, playing in 30 games and starting in eight straight during the middle of Big Ten play.
Jace Howard has entered the transfer portal

1 month ago | michigandaily.com | Sam Novotny

Graduate guard Jace Howard has become the second player from the Michigan men’s basketball team to enter the transfer portal, according to Travis Branham of 247 Sports and a farewell Instagram post from Howard. His decision comes with the intention of getting a medical redshirt for an additional, sixth year of collegiate basketball. Howard battled injury this year, appearing in a reserve role in just five games.
Danny Wolf’s final act falls short in loss to Auburn

1 month ago | michigandaily.com | Sam Novotny

ATLANTA — Danny Wolf has been the No. 5 seed Michigan men’s basketball team’s greatest showman all season long. Stunning entire arenas and making dazzling plays in every facet of the game, the 7-foot junior forward has been the wildcard that made the Wolverines a dynamic cover and exciting team to watch. But the show can’t go on forever, the final act always comes, and for Wolf that came in the Sweet Sixteen.
Donaldson preparing to face former team Auburn in Sweet Sixteen

1 month ago | michigandaily.com | Sam Novotny

ATLANTA — Tre Donaldson’s journey in his one season at Michigan has been a year of growth. The junior guard has blossomed into a lead guard, one who makes clutch plays over and over while leading his team into a resurgent season. All of this work isn’t grounded in the program he represents now, though, Donaldson matured at Auburn, playing two seasons under coach Bruce Pearl. Now, Donaldson’s path has wound back to his roots.
Guards stepping up in Michigan resurgence

1 month ago | michigandaily.com | Sam Novotny

March Madness success is defined as the sum of a team’s parts. From one to five, and however deep a team goes into its bench, everyone has to perform at a high level to advance in the tournament. While this fact stands true, March is a month of guards, shifty playmakers who can steal the show and at times seemingly single-handedly carry teams to success.
Freshman guard Justin Pippen entering transfer portal

1 month ago | michigandaily.com | Sam Novotny

The Michigan men’s basketball team is still amid its March Madness run, but its first off season domino has already fallen. Freshman guard Justin Pippen has entered the transfer portal according to 247 Sports’ Travis Branham. Pippen appeared in 28 games for the Wolverines, averaging 1.6 points per game in a limited role.
Michigan preparing to slow Texas A&M offensive rebounding in second round

1 month ago | michigandaily.com | Sam Novotny

DENVER — After surviving the upset attempt of No. 12 seed UC San Diego in round one of the NCAA Tournament, the No. 5 seed Michigan men’s basketball team turns around to face another opponent that will challenge its weaknesses in No. 4 seed Texas A&M. The Aggies are the strongest offensive rebounding team in the nation, snagging a staggering 16 per game, while the Wolverines place 34th nationally in total rebounds per game.
Inside the final 2 minutes emblematic of Michigan’s season

1 month ago | michigandaily.com | Sam Novotny

DENVER — It’s like a broken record for the No. 5 seed Michigan men’s basketball team. The big lead, the energetic play, the turnovers and late-game fight for their lives from the Wolverines. Nothing new has befallen Michigan since it entered the postseason — two one-score games in the Big Ten Tournament and now nearly on the wrong side of an upset against No. 12 seed UC San Diego. Nothing has come easy for the Wolverines, pretty much entirely at the fault of their own doing.
L.J. Cason’s in-season work paying off heading into NCAA Tournament

1 month ago | michigandaily.com | Sam Novotny

DENVER — Around this time last year, freshman guard L.J. Cason probably couldn’t imagine where he is now. In March 2024, Cason was committed to play for coach Dusty May at Florida Atlantic after fielding no offers above other mid-major Division I schools. A month or so later, May took the job at Michigan. Cason soon followed his coach up north, but there was more work to be done before Cason could see big minutes with the Wolverines.