The strongest university in the United States (USA) will play two exhibition games in our country.
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On Sunday from 7:30 PM in Vilnius, the main Lithuanian men’s basketball team, led by Rimas Kurtinaitis, will face the Michigan team.
On Monday at 6:30 PM in Utena, the reserve Lithuanian team will test the strength of the NCAA champions. Mindaugas Lukošius’s trainees have already pleasantly surprised when on Thursday they defeated one of the best US universities – the Arizona Wildcats team – 99:88 in Jonava.
As the intriguing games approach, LTU.BASKETBALL interviewed the head coach of the NCAA champions, Mike Boynton.
Before this, the current Michigan head coach successfully worked at Oklahoma State University and coached one of today’s brightest NBA stars, Cade Cunningham.
– You are taking over the Michigan University team at a time when this program is at the very top of US college basketball. How do you feel taking on these duties under such circumstances?
– When you have been in this business for a long time and get the opportunity to lead a program like Michigan, you cannot take it lightly. It brings a lot of pride but also carries huge responsibility. Our players and coaching staff have put in an incredible amount of work to create something special, and my task is to maintain this level and move forward.
– What makes the Michigan University basketball program special?
– What makes Michigan special is primarily the people you work with every day – our student-athletes, coaching staff, university administration, and fans. Here, it is expected that you compete at the highest level and do everything the right way. It is a special combination.
– This summer, three Michigan players were selected with high picks in the NBA draft. What does this say about the program’s potential and strength?
– Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr., and Yaxel Lendeborg earned everything they achieved through very hard work. This sends a clear message to our future players – if you are ready to work hard here, you can achieve your goals. Michigan University has a long history of developing NBA players, and we hope to continue this tradition.
– What thoughts do you have preparing for the trip to Lithuania?
– It is an opportunity to spend more time together before the season, which is valuable for any team. We will also have the chance to experience a different culture and test ourselves against strong opponents. Such experiences help the team grow. Our goal is to return from Lithuania a bit more united and better than we were before leaving.
– Which Michigan players would you recommend Lithuanian fans pay the most attention to?
– I would encourage watching the whole team. We have many talented players, but we want to build our identity by playing as a team. This trip is another step in that process. I can’t wait for people to see our team’s energy, unselfishness, and desire to compete.
– Will it be difficult for your players to adapt to FIBA rules and the international basketball style?
– Adaptation will definitely be necessary. The games are officiated differently, the spacing on the court is different, and teams play physical basketball. This is one of the biggest advantages of such a trip. It forces our players to adapt, and the lessons learned here later prove useful during the season.
– What do you generally know about Lithuanian basketball?
– Lithuania has earned huge respect in the basketball world. This country has produced an incredible number of great players, coaches, and teams. Lithuanians play basketball the right way – tough, disciplined, and with excellent fundamentals. We are eager to experience all this firsthand.
– In the 2018–2019 season, one of Michigan’s key players was Ignas Brazdeikis. What do you think about him?
– It is very nice to see how Iggy continues to grow not only as a player but also as a person. He has always been a tough, physical, and confident basketball player who loves to compete. The opportunity to represent his country says a lot about the work he has put in over the years. His achievements do not surprise us, and we are proud that he is part of our basketball family.
– For Lithuanian fans, this will be the first opportunity in history to see NCAA champions play live against the Lithuanian men’s team. What does this trip to Lithuania personally mean to you, and what do you expect from this experience?
– Basketball has a special power to unite people, so we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Michigan University on the other side of the world. Neither our players nor the coaching staff take this opportunity for granted.
We look forward to getting to know Lithuanian culture and seeing what your country has to offer. Speaking about basketball, it is a great chance to improve mutual understanding, gain experience, and prepare for the upcoming season.
– Former head coach Dusty May, who led the team to the NCAA championship, got the chance to try himself in the NBA and became the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. Do you expect to follow a similar path in the future and move to the NBA yourself?
– Michigan is exactly the place where I want to be. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead this program. I have always believed that if you do your job well where you are, everything else falls into place. Right now, all my focus is on helping our players develop and ensuring that Michigan continues to compete for championships.
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