ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — When John Beilein boogied into Crisler Arena, it looked like the Michigan basketball coach was going to provide the most memorable moment of the Wolverines' first late-night kickoff in 11 years.

But then Zack Novak lined up for the last attempt of the slam-dunk contest.

The 6-5 guard, who had gotten 39 out of 40 in the preliminary round, ended the show with a through-the-legs windmill dunk. The judges — four members of the Michigan women's team — didn't even bother to give a score, choosing instead to join in as both teams swarmed around Novak.

"The first time I tried that dunk, I was making fun of Manny Harris, because he had just done it," Novak said. "I didn't think I had a chance, but I came close, so I kept trying."

Novak, a 3-point specialist, hadn't even planned to try the dunk until Harris decided to skip the contest.

"For my second dunk, I had been planning on taking a cheerleader's pompom, dunking that, and reverse-dunking the ball," he said. "But when Manny wasn't in the contest doing that dunk, I went for it."

Highly touted freshman Darius Morris also got a perfect 40 in the final round, but didn't contest Novak's victory.

"He earned it with that one," Morris said. "There was nothing I could do to come close to that."

Beilein was as surprised as anyone in the announced crowd of nearly 3,500.

"I didn't think he'd pull that off in a million years," he said. "Maybe we'll have to let him try a dunk or two during the regular season."

Novak's dunk capped an event that started with Beilein bringing the crowd to its feet with a spirited if clumsy dance routine to "Jump Around."

"Coach was pretty good," Harris said. "He's got some rhythm. We just have to help him a little."

The evening was designed to mark Michigan's return to prominence in what always has been the school's second sport. The Wolverines went 21-14 last season to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 12 years, and still have that team's two stars — Harris and DeShawn Sims.

"This was a fun way to start the season," Harris said. "This could be a great year, and I'm glad the fans got to kick it off with us."