Mitch McGary's status remains uncertain as Michigan hopes for another big season

Michigan forward Mitch McGary poses for a portrait during an NCAA college basketball team's preseason media day Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) (The Associated Press)

Michigan guard Derrick Walton Jr., center, forward Mark Donnal, left, and guard Zak Irvin pose for portraits during an NCAA college basketball team's preseason media day Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) (The Associated Press)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Mitch McGary's back issue remains a bit of a mystery.

Michigan coach John Beilein says his sophomore big man is making good progress but remains day to day, with the season opener a couple weeks away. Beilein announced toward the end of last month that McGary had been limited because of a lower back condition.

McGary said Thursday at media day that he'd been doing some light shooting, but he's still limited in what he's allowed to do.

The 6-foot-10 McGary averaged 7.5 points per game last season as a freshman, but in the NCAA tournament he averaged 14.3 points and 10.7 rebounds, helping the Wolverines reach the national championship game, which they lost to Louisville.