No. 25 Michigan planning to play without Irvin in opener

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Michigan coach John Beilein says he doesn't expect junior Zak Irvin to play when the 25th-ranked Wolverines host Northern Michigan in

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Michigan coach John Beilein says he doesn't expect junior Zak Irvin to play when the 25th-ranked Wolverines host Northern Michigan in their season opener Friday night.

The 6-foot-6 Irvin is coming off back surgery, and Beilein says he isn't in game shape yet.

Irvin averaged 14.3 points per game as a sophomore.

Beilein says guard Spike Albrecht will play ''spot minutes'' after having offseason hip surgery.