John Beilein got extra practice time for his players, some culture and most importantly, a chance to figure out exactly what he might do this year with the Michigan basketball team.

That was the message Thursday as the fourth-year coach discussed the Wolverines’ European adventure centered around four exhibition games in Belgium in late August. What he figured out in the 10 extra days of practice and the games, though, he wasn’t going to divulge.

“There were some things that I felt more comfortable with after that we had done,” Beilein said. “One was the versatility of Zack (Novak). We recruited Zack (Novak) to be a two-or-three man, and he’s been mismatched at the four. But it worked very well two years ago and allowed him to do some things.

“… But it did give us a better idea of what we have.”

Freshman guard Tim Hardaway Jr. might be as good as Beilein hoped. He stood out during the team’s practices leading up to Europe and he led Michigan in scoring during the Wolverines’ four games with 11.8 points.

He was Michigan’s only player to average in double-figures. More important, though, is that he seems to be grasping the offense well. Already, Beilein has him working in the role of Michigan’s departed leading scorer, Manny Harris.

“We did a lot of the things we did with Manny with him, a lot of the similar action,” Beilein said. “What was really good was his rebounding the last game. You’re not rebounding against 18-year-olds. Rebounding, the bigger you get, the stronger you get, it’s a great advantage.

“He got some rebounds that were some high traffic rebounds that you hope as you get stronger, he was 190 right now, I think Manny’s highest weight was 188. It’s tough to get it in there and rebound when you still have strength to gain.”

Working out the freshmen

After a week off, Michigan can start limited workouts in four-person groups once classes begin next week.

While Beilein said he’d eventually mix the groups up, he’s going to have the four freshmen work together the first week to make sure they understand the principles covered during the preparation for the European trip.

“We have a very short window,” Beilein said. “… That’s why it was important with this summer that we can start working with young people.”

Part of that focus, Beilein said, will be working with Evan Smotrycz and Hardaway Jr. playing with their backs to the basket - something they hadn’t focused on in the run-up to Europe. Plus, Beilein expects Colton Christian to be fully healthy by the time workouts start. He was held out of all four games in Europe with an injured hamstring. The staff tried to work him out one game, but he didn’t feel completely comfortable so Beilein held off.

Scheduling issues

Beilein put together a difficult schedule for Michigan.

The Wolverines play multiple top 25 teams in the non-conference schedule - Kansas and Syracuse are locks for that - as well as major programs Utah and Clemson before the Big Ten season starts.

“We try to pick out teams that a road win would be tremendous and a tough road loss, like the UConn game from two years ago when we went there, might have helped us get into the tournament as much as the Duke win,” Beilein said. “We try to make sure those games are when the students are here, when they do come back, that it’s a high-profile CBS, TV type of games, that’s what we’re trying to do there.”

Beilein said he is working on a home-and-home marquee opponent to replace Kansas on the schedule starting next season.

The other question on the schedule was why fellow-county school Concordia - an NAIA opponent - is a regular-season game instead of an exhibition.

The Wolverines did the same thing last year against Northern Michigan. It is a game that doesn’t count in the RPI, but also doesn’t count for the NCAA selection process.

Michigan finished last year 15-17, but 14-17 in the eyes of the selection committee.

“When you get to the point where you’re paying high dollar for a Division I game that actually hurts your RPI, a win over a bottom, bottom rung RPI game, a 320 team, actually hurts your RPI,” Beilein said. “Certainly we all do that, everyone has on their schedule low-RPI, guarantee games.”

But in doing this, Beilein is helping an in-state school. In this case, it ended up benefitting both sides. Concordia allowed Michigan to practice at its gymnasium last year when Crisler was used for the Big Ten wrestling championships.

And Beilein anticipates needing Concordia again when construction begins on Crisler Arena renovation.

This and that

Beilein said he won’t give any current walk-ons - Josh Bartelstein, Eso Akunne and Corey Person - scholarships this season. … Michigan found a replacement exhibition opponent for U-M Dearborn, but Beilein said he couldn’t announce the opponent or date because the contract needs to be finalized. … Beilein said he didn’t know when Crisler Arena renovations would begin. … He also had no opinion on whether or not the Big Ten should split into divisions for basketball.

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein