Zak Irvin Injury: Updates on Michigan Star's Recovery from Back Surgery

The Michigan Wolverines basketball team returns the majority of its core for the 2015-16 campaign and has Big Ten title aspirations, but it will be without superstar Zak Irvin during offseason preparations because of a back injury.

Continue for updates.

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Irvin Expected Back Near Start of Regular Season

Friday, Sept. 11 

"I believe that (in) the check-up this morning, all initial signs are that it was very successful," head coach John Beilein said on Sept. 11, according to Brandon Quinn of MLive.com. 

On Sept. 9, Michigan Basketball noted Irvin will miss six to eight weeks following a back procedure, but the silver lining is he will return around the start of the season. Eight weeks from Wednesday is Nov. 4, and according to UMHoops.com, the Wolverines open the regular season Nov. 13.     

Beilein suggested Irvin will be back near the expected date, per MGoBlue.com: "We expect a 100 percent recovery for Zak after this procedure. We will not rush his return; but given Zak's work habits and determined attitude, we anticipate he will be back on the court and at full speed sometime near the beginning of our season."

Irvin was the rock in Michigan’s lineup last season as Caris LeVert and Derrick Walton Jr. dealt with injuries. Irvin was the only player to start all 32 games, and he averaged 14.3 points a night in the process. He also led the team with 77 made three-pointers.

It isn’t just the ability to score that makes Irvin valuable. He was second on the team with 4.8 rebounds a night and bothers opponents with his 6'6" length and athleticism on the defensive side. Considering the Wolverines were a disappointing 329th in the nation last year in rebounds per game, they need Irvin healthy and ready to contribute on the glass this year to deliver on elevated expectations.

Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press said Irvin’s confidence and ability to replicate his strong showing last season are key to Michigan’s Final Four chances.

However, if the Wolverines want to advance that deep in the tournament, they likely need a favorable seed, which will require impressive nonconference wins. Michigan plays Xavier, Connecticut, possibly Syracuse at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament and North Carolina State before Dec. 2.

The sheer number of difficult games in the early portion of the schedule underscores how important it is that Irvin returns healthy by the start of the season.