Michigan begins preseason with 87-62 rout of Eastern Michigan at Crisler Center

Michigan opened its preseason with an 87-62 win over Eastern Michigan on Sunday at Crisler Center, returning to the court for the first time after winning the national championship last season. The margin reflected what the opening test was supposed to provide, a chance to set an early tone against non-conference competition before the schedule tightens.

The game served as Michigan’s first on-court work of the preseason, and Eastern Michigan’s challenge largely ended once Michigan established its pace. With the Wolverines controlling the flow, the Eagles struggled to slow down the scoring run that put the contest out of reach.

For Michigan, the win was not just about the final score, it was also a statement of intent at the start of a new stretch. Preseason openers are often where teams identify what is working in real time, from shot selection to defensive balance, and the Wolverines carried enough consistency early to keep the advantage comfortably in hand.

Eastern Michigan, meanwhile, entered with the expectation that the preseason opener would reveal how its rotation holds up in a hostile environment. The result will likely shift attention toward tightening execution over the next few weeks, particularly against teams that can pressure possessions and convert before opponents can reset.

Michigan’s home venue, Crisler Center, also adds context to what this kind of win represents. Playing in front of a home crowd after a championship run carries its own pressure, because preseason games are the first time fans see how the program looks in a new season’s framework.

With the calendar moving quickly toward more meaningful matchups, the primary takeaway is that Michigan can impose a comfortable margin when it plays with tempo and defensive clarity. The next test will be whether the Wolverines can translate that early control into games that offer less margin for error and require sharper performances under late-game pressure.