Zack Novak’s fearlessness and tenacity sparked Michigan Basketball to a key win on Saturday at Minnesota. Three days before that win, Michigan lost in crushing fashion to Wisconsin on a banked in three-pointer at the buzzer. Novak was immensely disappointed with the outcome of that game. In the postgame locker room he said he would use the loss to fuel him. With a lot of players that might just be a good quote, with Novak he meant exactly what he said. He then walked the walk in the waning moments of the Minnesota game.
Zack Novak
With 1:40 left to play Michigan was trailing 62-61 and having trouble getting a shot off. John Beilein called a timeout with 13 seconds remaining on the shot clock. On the ensuing play, Darius Morris drove into the lane and was walled off by Gophers. He kicked the ball out to Novak who drained a cold-blooded three-pointer as the shot clock expired. That put the Wolverines up 64-62.
On the following defensive possession Novak swiped a pass right out of the outstretched hands of 6-foot-11 Ralph Sampson III. He then tossed a long pass to a streaking Darius Morris who banged in a lay up as he was fouled by Trevor Mbakwe. Morris buried the free throw and gave Michigan a 67-62 lead with 49 seconds left. Watching Novak during that game-changing sequence, I found myself remembering his quote about using the Wisconsin loss to fuel him. I remembered the look of not just disappointment, but determination that was on his face. It just so happened that at the exact moment Joe and I walked out of Crisler Arena that night the Wisconsin bus was pulling away. Right behind the bus was Novak in his vehicle. It was quite clear from seeing him at that moment that he was resolved to keep pushing Michigan forward.
It doesn’t matter that he is often matched up against guys 6 inches taller than he is, Novak has made a habit out of making winning plays. He’ll knock down the clutch triple, grab a big rebound, or dive to the floor to secure a loose ball. Earlier this season, Michigan won at Michigan State for the first time since 1997 and that victory was possible thanks in large part to Novak going 6-8 from three-point range. He leads U-M and ranks 11th in the Big Ten in rebounding (5.9).
On November 29th 2008, Novak played in his 5th game as a Michigan Wolverine. U-M had just returned from New York where they had upset UCLA and lost to Duke. On this day they were hosting Savannah State. The Tigers had built a 20-point lead only to see Michigan storm back to tie the game in the final minutes. With the score deadlocked at 56, Savannah State had the last possession and a chance to hit a game winning shot. Novak swiped the ball from the Tigers and took off towards a game winning basket; his dunk attempt rattled off the rim as time expired. U-M went on to win the game in OT. If not for his steal, Michigan likely loses that game and it could have derailed their eventual NCAA selection that season. It was in that moment that I knew Novak was a different breed. One week later it was Novak who knocked down 4 huge triples to propel Michigan to an upset of 4th ranked Duke.
Last year Novak became the second sophomore captain in Michigan Basketball history. He is the consummate leader and was awarded the Thad Garner Leadership Award and the Steve Grote Hustle Award at Michigan’s team banquet last year.
Novak has already posted 4 double-doubles this season and is zeroing in on becoming the 40th member of Michigan’s 500 Rebound Club. He currently ranks 7th in school history in made three-pointers. Novak is also an outstanding student and was recently named a Capital One Academic All-District IV first team member for the second staight year. Novak is enrolled in U-M’s presitgous Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
Novak exemplfies the phrase Leaders and Best in Michigan’s fight song. “That’s what I try to bring to the team, set the example,” said Novak. “Especially with such a young team it’s important that they see that is the right way to play. If we’ve got 5 guys going after it, all out like that every night, we’re going to be tough.”
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