The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/246097
michigan basketball Gesell in assist-to-turnover ratio in the league, with Gesell at 3.2 and Stauskas at 2.5. Stauskas and LeVert were second and ninth, respectively, in average minutes played, at 34.8 and 32.5. McGary Undergoes Successful Back Surgery Jan. 8 marked one of the most important days in sophomore forward Mitch McGary's basketball career, and he didn't score a point or grab a single rebound. McGary underwent back surgery, hoping to repair issues that had plagued him for months. According to U-M head coach John Beilein, all went well with the procedure. "Mitch is on his way back today," Beilein noted, in a press conference that same afternoon. "We expect him to be in classes tomorrow. That's all I really know … and everything went well." McGary, meanwhile, was all smiles in a picture he posted to the Internet from his hospital bed. He was delivering a "hang loose" sign, and sent out upbeat messages via Twitter. Prior to the surgery, he posted "Let's rock and roll" on his page, to go along with the photo. Later, he posted: "Thank you everyone for your support! I'm feeling great." McGary missed several weeks of practice prior to the season, trying to rehabilitate his back without surgery. It began giving him unspecified problems over the summer. He missed the first two games of the regular season, then played in eight Michigan contests, including a 15-point, 14-rebound effort at Duke. He averaged 9.5 points and 8.3 rebounds on the court before opting to have his back surgically repaired. McGary will not be traveling with the team, Beilein noted. "As all the doctors get together to talk about the rehab, his rehab will be No. 1," he said. "Making a road trip will not be a priority. There may be some times … but you think about the stress on your back when you're sitting in planes. "I don't care how big a plane is, it's a small plane to Mitch. It's important that we get him healthy. That's our biggest thing." No announcements have been made regarding any forward prognosis or timeline. Blocking Out All Potential Excuses Michigan head coach John Beilein just doesn't want to hear about it, with regard to injuries, schedules or anything else the Wolverines could be given as a potential crutch. He's expecting to win, and letting everyone know. Well before Michigan went into Wisconsin and posted a huge 77-70 win over the Badgers, Beilein waved off worries about the schedule for Bo Ryan's squad. Wisconsin doesn't make trips to Michigan State or Ohio State this year, causing many to see the Badgers — who roared through the non-conference undefeated — as potential favorites in the Big Ten race.