Michigan to Host Oregon State in Friday Exhibition
The matchup at Crisler Center features Oregon State coach Justin Joyner facing his former program.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Basketball
Michigan basketball hosts Oregon State for an exhibition game this Friday at 7 p.m. ET at the Crisler Center. Oregon State head coach Justin Joyner returns to face the program where he previously served as an assistant for two seasons.
Why it matters
The game allows Oregon State to test its new roster against a high-level opponent in an adverse road environment. Joyner coordinated the scheduling with Michigan staff to provide his team with a challenging preseason experience.
Oregon State is traveling 2,000 miles to face a Michigan team that recently defeated Eastern Michigan 87-62. The Beavers roster includes 10 transfers, two freshmen, and just one returning player.
The players
Justin Joyner
He is the head coach of the Oregon State men's basketball team and a former assistant coach at Michigan.
Mike Boynton Jr.
He serves as the head coach of the Michigan men's basketball program.
Roddy Gayle Jr.
He is a player whose availability for the upcoming exhibition game remains uncertain due to an unresolved injunction order.
Kyle Church
He is an assistant coach for the Michigan men's basketball team.
The details
Oregon State head coach Justin Joyner orchestrated the contest with Michigan head coach Mike Boynton Jr. and assistant Kyle Church. Joyner previously coached seven of the current Michigan players during his two-year stint as an assistant in Ann Arbor.
Timeline
The exhibition game is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
The contest takes place on October 18, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This game highlights the rapid roster reconstruction now common in college basketball following the implementation of the NCAA Transfer Portal. By testing a team heavily reliant on transfers against a high-level opponent, Oregon State looks to establish cohesion before the official season begins.
Fans should monitor the status of Roddy Gayle Jr., whose participation remains in doubt due to an injunction. The outcome of this matchup may offer insights into how Oregon State's 10-player transfer contingent adjusts to high-level competition.
The takeaway
Preseason exhibitions serve as critical evaluation tools for coaching staffs looking to integrate new personnel. Teams like Oregon State use these high-stakes, non-conference matchups to test depth and chemistry ahead of the regular season schedule.
Further reading
Find more coverage of the program on our Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
