JUWAN HOWARD

Starting center Hunter Dickinson and key reserve Brandon Johns Jr., a forward, were both held out against Illinois out of precaution after recently contracting COVID-19. The program appears ready to take a similar approach in advance of Tuesday’s home game with Maryland (7 p.m. Both Dickinson and Johns appeared at Michigan’s workout on Sunday evening, according to assistant coach Phil Martelli, but neither were full participants. “Their long-term wellbeing will be the determining factor.”Unlike Dickinson and Johns, sophomore guard Zeb Jackson didn’t even make the trip to Champaign. If Dickinson had stayed quiet and tried to play, he could have set back Michigan’s timeline even more, Martelli said.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Juwan Howard, who went 6-0 against Illinois as a player at Michigan but had yet to beat the Illini as Michigan’s coach, looked down his bench during Friday’s game at State Farm Center with growing concern. Two of his players were unavailable because of medical concerns. Others were in foul trouble. Still others were thrown into bigger roles than usual.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Juwan Howard wasn’t willing to sacrifice his players’ long-term health for a better chance at winning Friday’s game. Michigan’s head men’s basketball coach decided to sit starting center Hunter Dickinson, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, as well as key reserve Brandon Johns Jr. in a critical matchup at Illinois. Johns, a senior, didn’t make the trip for Michigan’s previous game, Jan. 4 at Rutgers. As a result, Terrance Williams II made his first career start, at power forward, sliding Moussa Diabaté to center. Here’s Juwan Howard’s response, in full, when asked about Dickinson’s and Johns’ absence.

After a 10-day layoff due to a COVID-19 outbreak, the Michigan men’s basketball team is scheduled to return to action on Friday night at Illinois. Illinois routed Michigan in Ann Arbor last season, 76-53, in the teams’ only meeting of the season. While Michigan was declared the Big Ten regular-season champion last season, Illinois felt it deserved at least a split of the title. This season, Illinois finds itself at the top of the conference, while Michigan is trying to find its footing. ET (8:01 p.m. local)Point spread: Illinois -9.5Tickets: N/AFollow: Andrew KahnHow to WatchTV: FOX (Joe Davis, Jim Jackson)Stream: Watch & DVR College Basketball Live | fuboTV: Stream live TV with ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN & top channels without cable.

ANN ARBOR -- After two postponements due to COVID-19 issues within the program, the Michigan men’s basketball team is, as of Thursday, healthy enough to play Friday’s game at Illinois. While he only confirmed that Michigan had met the Big Ten’s minimum of seven healthy scholarship players and one healthy coach, he also noted just one staffer being unavailable. Related: Michigan basketball isn’t panicking, but it needs urgency to reach goalsIllinois’ Kofi Cockburn is a national Player of the Year candidate. “We are going to play those games,” Howard said. Only three were made up, which irked some outside of Ann Arbor, including Illinois’ players, coaches, and athletic director, who felt Illinois deserved a piece of the Big Ten regular-season title that went to Michigan.

Michigan basketball was forced to cancel two games due to COVID this week, but several former Wolverines earned new opportunities due to virus protocols.

It’s a topic Juwan Howard has mentioned as often as any other this season: His positivity as Michigan’s men’s basketball head coach. His team is 7-6 on the court and dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak off of it. Adversity affects all teams, Howard said during his radio show on Monday night. The response is what counts.

EAST LANSING – At around 10:45 on Friday night, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo’s phone rang with some unwelcome but not completely unexpected news. Michigan coach Juwan Howard was on the line, telling Izzo that positive COVID-19 cases in the Wolverines program would cause the two teams’ scheduled Saturday game to be postponed. Izzo was understandably frustrated with the news, which came less than 16 hours before the scheduled tipoff. But he said he had no issues with Howard or how the situation was handled by Michigan. Izzo is hopeful now that the first game of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry can be rescheduled for sometime later this season.

ANN ARBOR -- What was supposed to be a stretch of important, anticipated matchups for the Michigan men’s basketball team has turned into multiple postponements. A day after announcing Saturday’s Michigan-Michigan State game would not be played, Michigan announced on Sunday that its next scheduled game, against No. Michigan is 7-6 this season and 1-2 in the Big Ten after Tuesday’s loss at Rutgers. Michigan was without five scholarship players and a staff member for that game, all but one of whom missed the trip because of COVID protocols. “We’re trying to stay afloat and stay ready,” Michigan head coach Juwan Howard said on Friday when asked about recent practices with a shorthanded roster.

The Saturday men’s basketball game between Michigan State University and the University of Michigan has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.

The first Michigan-Michigan State game of the year has fallen victim to COVID-19. Saturday’s scheduled game has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues within Michigan’s program, the two schools announced early Saturday morning. The game is the first this season on Michigan State’s schedule that has been disrupted due to COVID-19. Michigan had a Dec. 21 game against Purdue-Fort Wayne canceled due to COVID-19 issues with its opponent. The two teams also had a game postponed last year due to COVID-19, when the game set for Feb. 6 in Ann Arbor was postponed until March 4 due to a COVID-19 shutdown in Michigan’s athletic department.

ANN ARBOR -- The last time Michigan played Michigan State at Crisler Center, the Wolverines clinched a Big Ten title. (The spokesperson did not provide an update on sophomore guard Zeb Jackson, who missed the Rutgers game for personal reasons.) Provided there are no positive tests before tip, Michigan should have at least seven of its nine rotation players, including all five starters, available for Michigan State. Michigan had it all -- toughness, energy, and good shooting -- when it beat Michigan State 69-50 on March 4 to clinch the Big Ten regular-season title. It’s been a different story for this year’s Wolverines, though Michigan State coach Tom Izzo insists they are still dangerous.

As Juwan Howard graciously congratulated Rutgers’ players and coaches for their win over his Michigan team, one of his players was exploding 20 feet behind him, requiring restraint from teammates and a graduate manager. The postgame scene inside Jersey Mike’s Arena on Tuesday represents the Wolverines’ internal conflict. They’re frustrated about their 7-6 start while trying to remain calm and find solutions.

No defense.’ I have so much positive -- I see so many great things of what this team is going to become. The result, though, was another loss, and Michigan now has more defeats than it had all of last year’s 28-game season. Then Howard shifted gears, mentioning the outside noise and his prediction of the “great things” to come. And while Rutgers entered Tuesday 7-5, unranked, having never defeated Michigan, the Wolverines’ upcoming opponents are more formidable, starting with No. “There are some learning experiences that can get us ready for Michigan State and hopefully turn this thing around.”

Head coach Juwan Howard, speaking after Tuesday’s 75-67 loss at Rutgers, wasn’t sure when his roster would be fully healthy again. The team traveled to Orlando on the morning of Dec. 27, despite its game at UCF not for another three days. Howard said at the time the decision was made amid uncertainty surrounding travel in the pandemic. They played UCF on Thursday, losing 85-71. “We were dealing with stuff, but at the end of the day we’re a team -- we’ve got 17 players,” Dickinson said.

Michigan never got closer than seven, losing 75-67 on Tuesday for its first loss to Rutgers in program history. Diabaté tallied 15 points and nine rebounds and had to be restrained, teammates and staffers, from going after Rutgers’ players during the postgame handshake line. Brooks missed an open 3 with about eight minutes left that would have cut the margin to seven. Rutgers hit a couple of open 3s before Michigan scored, and led 12-4 four minutes in, with Michigan missing several point-blank shots. + Michigan left a few potential shot makers in Ann Arbor, but the team has had shooting issues even at full strength.

The second act of the Michigan men’s basketball season is about to begin, and the Wolverines hope it is more consistently better than the first. Michigan, 7-5, resumes Big Ten play on Tuesday at Rutgers (7 p.m. Monday’s AP poll included four Big Ten teams in the top-25, another just one spot off, and still two others receiving votes. Michigan may not have the record or ranking it wanted as Big Ten play restarts, but that doesn’t mean it can’t contend to defend its title. “Our team understands the big picture but they also understand that no team wins in the preseason.

Michigan led UCF by 12 a few minutes into the second half on Thursday in what would have been an important nonconference win. Compounding mistakesAfter the game, via video conference call, Michigan fifth-year senior Eli Brooks spoke about not making UCF “feel” Michigan defensively. Brooks had a similar message after Michigan’s loss to Minnesota earlier this month. None of these players, individually, are the reason Michigan lost to UCF nor the reason Michigan has had a lackluster start to the season. Michigan’s next game is at Rutgers, on Tuesday, followed by games against Michigan State, Purdue, and Illinois.

Michigan couldn’t contain a pair of UCF guards, Darin Green Jr. and Brandon Mahan, who combined for 12 3-pointers and 53 points. DeVante’ Jones had his best game in a Michigan uniform -- 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists -- and his backcourt mate Eli Brooks scored 18, but it wasn’t enough. On Thursday, whenever Michigan made what seemed like a big shot, Green or Mahan answered. Green finished with 27 points, Mahan with 26; both were season highs. Mahan scored 22 in the second half without missing a shot.

The lone exception was UCF (Central Florida): Michigan honored its home-and-home contract, and smacked the Knights 80-58 on Dec. 6. The Michigan football team will play in Miami Gardens -- 225 miles south of Orlando -- on Friday night in a semifinal playoff game. Howard declined to say whether the team would attend the game, but a Michigan basketball staffer told MLive previously that Howard planned to be there. Game InformationWho: Michigan Wolverines (7-4) at UCF Knights (8-2)Where: Addition Financial Arena (Orlando, Florida); capacity: 9,400When: Thursday, December 30, 7:01 p.m. ETPoint spread: Michigan -3.5Tickets: TicketMaster ($8)Follow: Andrew KahnHow to WatchTV: ESPN2 (Rich Hollenberg, Jon Crispin)Stream: Watch & DVR College Basketball Live | fuboTV: Stream live TV with ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN & top channels without cable.

The latest performance, an 87-50 win over Southern Utah on Saturday, was encouraging. Michigan put the clamps on Southern Utah, holding the visitors to 33 percent shooting and keeping them off the glass. “That’s the Michigan team I know,” Howard said. As outsiders called for freshman Frankie Collins to replace Jones in the starting lineup, Howard knew what Jones could offer. They combined for 32 minutes (and 19 points) against Southern Utah.

The Michigan basketball game Tuesday night against IPFW has been canceled due to COVID concerns for the Mastodons.

The decision was made due to “internal COVID-19 protocols within the Purdue Fort Wayne program,” according to a press release from Michigan. A Michigan basketball staffer told MLive he didn’t think Michigan would schedule a replacement opponent before the trip to UCF. “My first concern is for coach (Jon) Coffman and his players,” Michigan head coach Juwan Howard said in a statement. Michigan, like most college basketball teams, had many games canceled or rescheduled last season. Michigan head coach Juwan Howard said last week his messaging to his players has been consistent from the start of the pandemic.

Hunter Dickinson scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his fourth straight and 10th career double-double, pacing Michigan’s 87-50 romp past Southern Utah.

ANN ARBOR -- DeVante’ Jones has an explanation for his unsteady play earlier in the season, his first with Michigan. Jones transferred to Michigan this offseason after four seasons at Coastal Carolina. In Michigan’s ninth game, on Dec. 7 at Nebraska, Jones had eight assists and no turnovers in a blowout win. It’s all about me just shooting with confidence.”Southern Utah, like Minnesota, went under Jones’ ball screens, daring him to shoot. See also: The NBA showed up at Crisler Center for Juwan Howard, Michigan basketballJones said he recently reached out to Smith and Smith’s predecessor, Zavier Simpson, for advice.

ANN ARBOR -- Juwan Howard couldn’t stop smiling after Michigan’s game against Southern Utah on Saturday night. It helped that Michigan won by 37 points, but what warmed his heart was his former NBA brethren showing up at Crisler Center. Tracy McGrady, Duncan Robinson, and Erik Spoelstra were among the stars in the house, supporting Howard and, in turn, the Wolverines. “The support was real tonight,” Howard said. “It was beautiful to see.”Howard’s final three seasons as an NBA player were with the Miami Heat, before he transitioned into coaching with the franchise.

Michigan plays its first game in a week on Saturday night against Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds fared better in their game that same day, albeit against NAIA school Saint Katherine, winning 100-61. Game InformationWho: Southern Utah Thunderbirds (7-3) at Michigan Wolverines (6-4)Where: Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Michigan); capacity: 12,707When: Saturday, December 18, 7:07 p.m. ETPoint spread: Michigan -114Tickets: MGoBlue ($20)Promotions: Education DayFollow: Andrew KahnHow to WatchTV: Big Ten Network (Matt Schumacker, Robbie Hummel; remote)Stream: Watch & DVR College Basketball Live | fuboTV: Stream live TV with ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN & top channels without cable. Michigan women start 2-0 in Big Ten with monster rematch looming

Southern Utah is…not. Every player in the Southern Utah rotation except one is a senior. “Not overthink or force plays.”The offense shouldn’t be too difficult against Southern Utah. (As a team, Southern Utah is shooting just 29 percent from 3.) More Michigan basketball content:There’s time, but Michigan basketball needs fixingAn update on former Michigan basketball coachesWhat kind of 3-point-shooting team is Michigan and what can it be?

Jamison Battle scored a season-high 27 points — with 21 coming after halftime — as Minnesota launched a ferocious rally in the second period to beat Michigan 75-65.

It was somewhat surprising the Wolverines were even in that position given their issues in the second half. “I felt like we was not ready to start the half, mentally or physically,” Howard said. Minnesota shot 64 percent in the second half. He was just 2-of-7 in the second half. Dickinson missed from close, not realizing how open he was when he caught the entry pass.

After an uneven start to the nonconference, Michigan (5-3) finds itself with plenty to prove, starting with Tuesday’s trip to Nebraska (7 p.m. Related: Michigan frosh point guard Frankie Collins makes his case for more playing timeMichigan, by the metrics, is easing into Big Ten play. On the flip side, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan State have looked better than expected. Asked if he viewed Tuesday as the start of a title defense or a fresh season, Howard didn’t hesitate. Everyone is going for the Big Ten title for 2021-22.”For Michigan, that pursuit begins on Tuesday.

Early in his freshman season at Michigan, he’s taken the same approach coming off the bench. For the first time all season, he played more than starting point guard DeVante’ Jones (17 minutes). Michigan made the same move last season with Columbia grad transfer point guard Mike Smith, and it worked out very well. Howard -- who famously was part of an all-freshman starting five at Michigan -- has started one freshman, Caleb Houstan, from the season opener. If Collins gives Michigan the best chance to win, Howard will make the change, regardless of Collins’ inexperience or the fact that Jones could feel slighted.

ANN ARBOR -- After Michigan’s loss to North Carolina earlier this week, Juwan Howard and his players noted, rightfully so, it was still early in the season. Even so, Saturday’s game against San Diego State was an important one. Since the second game of the year, Michigan had gone win, loss, win, loss, win, loss. San Diego State, on 13 consecutive possessions, committed eight turnovers and missed all five of its shot attempts. “He’s special in a lot of ways.”Michigan’s defense, especially in the second half, took San Diego State out of its comfort zone.

Hunter Dickinson had 23 points and 14 rebounds, freshman Caleb Houstan scored a season-high 17 points and No. 24 Michigan beat San Diego State 72-58.

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan beat San Diego State at Crisler Center on Saturday afternoon, the basketball game serving as an undercard for both schools’ athletic departments. Michigan and San Diego State had never met on the hardwood before Saturday, but the two programs have history together. At the other end of the floor, Matt Bradley led San Diego State with 22 points, but scored just eight in the second half. San Diego State scored with 14:28 left in the second half to get within four before the Wolverines took control. At the other end, Michigan went through a 1-for-10 shooting stretch before Houstan canned his third 3, from the corner, to make it 33-29.

Michigan lost on Wednesday to North Carolina to fall to 4-3. There will be plenty of teaching points from the North Carolina tape, a 72-51 defeat. Michigan had a seven-minute stretch in the second half with just one basket as the Tar Heels ran away with the game. It wasn’t quite as bad as the second half of the Nov. 21 loss to Arizona, but it wasn’t pretty. “He deserves it.”Diabaté's night was an extreme representation of Michigan’s: He made 5-of-6 shots in the first half, from all over the court, and went 0-for-3 in the second half.

That will change on Wednesday, when the Wolverines visit North Carolina as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge (9:15 p.m. I’m excited for that matchup.”While Bacot, like last season, is heavily featured in the North Carolina offense, there are stylistic changes under first-year head coach Hubert Davis. The defense, particularly inside the arc, has been problematic, and North Carolina is forcing turnovers at a lower rate than all but two teams in the country. Michigan and North Carolina have history, old and recent. “UNC is a really good venue, they have really good fans there.

The college football coaching carousel is more chaotic than ever this offseason, but thanks to Jim Harbaugh, Michigan has a valuable sense of stability.

Still, it was surprising to see Michigan leading by just three points with four minutes left. As has been the case in a couple of other games during Michigan’s 4-2 start, self-inflicted turnovers were the main culprit. Another freshman, Caleb Houstan, said Howard is preaching making the simple play instead of going for the home-run play. Diabaté, who played a career-high 25 minutes against Tarleton, has steadily chipped away at starter Brandon Johns Jr.’s minutes. Also a real, real good defender.

Michigan defeated Tarleton State 65-54 at Crisler Center on Wednesday, the night before Thanksgiving. Michigan, which led by nine at half, started the second half strong. The Maize Rage unveiled a “Beat Ohio” sign, and chanted the same, during the second half. With five minutes left in the half, Michigan had 11 turnovers and just 10 field goal attempts before a 10-0 run. Tarleton State, located in Stephenville, Texas, and a member of the Western Athletic Conference, looked better than its résumé suggested.

Coming off a dispiriting loss, and before the competition picks up again, Michigan hosts Tarleton State. Head coach Juwan Howard has plenty of issues to address, but there’s two things he’s leaving up to the individual players. “I still want him to be aggressive but he’s got to be smart aggressive without getting himself in foul trouble. 20 Michigan Wolverines (3-2)Where: Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Michigan); capacity: 12,707When: Wednesday, November 24, 7:01 p.m. ETPoint spread: Michigan -22Tickets: MGoBlue ($20)Promotions: Heroes Night (Military and First Responders Appreciation Game)Follow: Andrew KahnHow to WatchTV: Big Ten Network (Kevin Kugler, Brian Butch; working remotely)Stream: Watch & DVR College Basketball Live | fuboTV: Stream live TV with ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN & top channels without cable.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Juwan Howard’s voice was more hoarse than it’s ever been in his three years at Michigan. “I sound like my good friend (and New York Knicks coach) Tom Thibodeau.”Howard may have been doing some extra teaching lately as well. They’ll welcome Tarleton State to Crisler Center (7 p.m. If you’ve never heard of Tarleton State, you’re not alone. Tarleton State’s head coach is Billy Gillespie, the former Texas A&M, Kentucky, and Texas Tech coach who often made headlines for the wrong reasons.

Gonzaga and UCLA continue their hold on the top two spots in The Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll, setting the stage for their highly anticipated showdown this week.

Christian Koloko had 22 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots to lead Arizona to a dominating 80-62 win over No. 4 Michigan on Sunday in the Roman Main Event.

Bounce-back performanceAfter dropping its first game of the season on Tuesday -- Michigan blew an 11-point second-half lead to Seton Hall -- Michigan looked good from start to finish against UNLV. Many of the issues that plagued Michigan against Seton Hall were corrected against UNLV. After going 1-for-9 from the field, including 0-for-4 from 3 against Seton Hall, freshman Caleb Houstan shot 1-for-8 (1-for-5 from deep) against UNLV. He called the Seton Hall performance a “tough one” for himself and the team. Some of the defensive issues he had against Seton Hall appeared to be corrected.

It’s no surprise that his restructured contract, announced by Michigan on Tuesday, comes with a significant pay raise. Howard will receive a total compensation package of more than $16.9 million over the next five years. If Michigan were to win the outright Big Ten title, as it did last season, Howard would receive an additional $50,000. Should Howard get fired during this contract year, Michigan would owe him $5 million. Howard signed his new contract last Thursday (Nov. 11).

It’s more of an invitational than a true playoff, and just one loss really can end a team’s hopes of a championship. They also understood the loss doesn’t prevent them from reaching any of their goals. On Saturday against Prairie View A&M, Michigan committed 20 turnovers, partly due to a careless end to the first half. When it did, it signaled Howard’s first November loss in his three seasons at Michigan. (The team’s first loss last season wasn’t until Jan.

Michigan had eight turnovers over the final 12 minutes and finished with 11, the same number as Seton Hall. Seton Hall, out of the Big East, was a step up. Over the final 2:25, Seton Hall shot 11 free throws, only two of which came off an intentional foul. Michigan won the 1989 title over Seton Hall with a pair of free throws in the final seconds of overtime. Jones gave credit to Seton Hall for bringing energy from the opening tip and “harassing” Michigan with its defense.

Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard and the school have agreed to a five-year extension that keeps him under contract through the 2025-26 season.

ANN ARBOR -- Juwan Howard has signed a contract to remain Michigan’s head men’s basketball coach through the 2025-26 season. “I couldn’t be happier for our student-athletes and fans to know that Juwan will continue to lead Michigan into the future,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. The deal called for Howard to make $2.2 million this season, $2.4 next year, and $2.5 the year after that. Michigan went 23-5 last season, won the Big Ten regular-season title, and earned a No. Overall, Howard is 44-17 at Michigan, including a 2-0 start to this season.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Eli Brooks scored 15 points, Caleb Houstan added 13 points, and No. 6 Michigan cruised Saturday night to a 77-49 victory over Prairie View A&M. Prairie View, an HBCU located about 50 miles northwest of Houston, was picked to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference this season. Michigan, which led 42-23 at halftime, held Prairie View to 27% shooting from the floor, including just 19.4 percent after the break. It also fit in with the program’s overall scheduling philosophy: Prairie View plays its first 12 games away from campus and won’t play a home game until Jan. 1.

For the third year in a row, Juwan Howard has signed the Big Ten’s best recruiting class. The Michigan men’s basketball program announced on Saturday the signing of four prospects in the 2022 class. Gregg Glenn III, Jett Howard, Dug McDaniel, and Tarris Reed Jr., all of whom are four-star prospects, were Michigan’s signees. “We have continued to talk about family, character, culture and what it takes to play Michigan basketball,” Howard, who’s entering his third season as Michigan’s head coach, said in a statement. However, it’s their willingness to learn and become great is what will make them great Michigan men.”Jett Howard is the coach’s youngest son and the highest-ranked member of Michigan’s 2022 class.

The executive director of the Coaches vs.

“There’s a big divide in this country,” Michigan head coach Juwan Howard said in a recent video conference call. (A Memorandum of Understanding between Coaches vs. Racism and Prairie View A&M, obtained via records request, notes the school will receive $50,000 for participating in the game.) “Being at an HBCU, we’re well aware of the injustices that go on in our society,” Prairie View head coach Byron Smith said. It’s the truth.”Boynton pointed out that the University of Michigan has been “forward thinking” in regards to its hiring of men’s basketball coaches. On the Coaches vs. Racism conference call, Howard was asked if he viewed himself as a mentor for younger Black coaches.

The Wolverines started strong in their season opener, leading by as much as 21 points in the first half.

ANN ARBOR -- Terrance Williams II’s inconsistent freshman year ended with him not getting off the bench in Michigan’s final game of last season. In Wednesday night’s season opener, the sophomore wore his headband differently than last year, this time with the logo upside down. Teammate Hunter Dickinson said before the season that Williams has a knack, like NBA veteran Carmelo Anthony, for hitting tough, contested shots. “And that’s Terrance Williams Jr. He’s built on toughness.”What endears Williams to his coaches is his attitude. “I’m going to continue to do what’s best for the team, no matter the situation, no matter the role I play,” Williams said.

Hunter Dickinson scored 27 points to help No. 6 Michigan open with an 88-76 win over Buffalo on Wednesday night.

ANN ARBOR -- The cardboard cutouts used to represent fans at games last season were clever, Michigan head coach Juwan Howard acknowledged, but they’re no substitute for the real thing. Michigan welcomed men’s basketball fans back to Crisler Center on Wednesday night for the season opener. Michigan ran a similar action on its next possession and, this time, Brooks found Caleb Houstan for a 3 that put Michigan up 15. Houstan and Moussa Diabaté were the lone scorers on a 9-0 run that got Michigan some early separation. Speaking on Diabaté, Williams said, “His energy and the effort he plays with, I feel like the crowd’s going to love him, and we love him for that.”Howard agreed.

ANN ARBOR -- The Michigan men’s basketball program will raise a banner on Wednesday night commemorating last season’s Big Ten regular-season championship. Juwan Howard enters his third season as head coach of a Michigan squad that has the potential for another banner year. Buffalo was picked to win the Mid-American Conference (MAC) this season by all but one of the league’s 12 coaches. The Wolverines played three MAC teams last season and beat them all by double digits. While Brooks will be reminiscing during the banner raising, Howard said he’ll be locked in to the game about to be played.

ANN ARBOR -- Juwan Howard, entering his third season as Michigan’s men’s basketball head coach, has proven himself to be an elite recruiter. Michigan has the No. 2 recruiting class in the country for 2021. High school players having interest in Howard and Michigan is one half of the equation. Howard and his coaching staff reciprocating that interest is the other.

They love playing for Howard, who, on the eve of his third season as head coach, has Michigan as a Big Ten frontrunner and serious national championship contender. “Now things are starting to slow down a little bit.”This season, he’s got a talented mix of veterans and newcomers -- including one veteran newcomer -- capable of capturing all of their lofty goals. “I really love Coach Howard, I love this team, and that’s really why I stayed,” he said. Three of the four ESPN experts who projected the college basketball season have Michigan in the Final Four and three have Howard repeating as Coach of the Year. More Michigan basketball content:Hunter Dickinson, Michigan’s Big Man on Campus, ready for role as college basketball villainMichigan women’s basketball season previewTwo Michigan men’s basketball players named preseason All-Big Ten

DETROIT -- The last time Michigan played another team, the Wolverines wore their practice jerseys inside an empty gym. Michigan head coach Juwan Howard loved his team’s ball movement (18 assists) and defensive effort (Wayne State shot just 29 percent). The home team fed off the environment for a decent start, but Michigan dominated the final 30 minutes. Michigan got better as the game went on, but Wayne State still finished with 17 offensive rebounds. Michigan will have several days to improve in those areas before the regular-season opener, at home against Buffalo, on Wednesday.

“That’s the goal every year, to always achieve to win championships,” said Michigan Men's Basketball Coach Juwan Howard.

Juwan Howard is shooting to win a national championship, an achievement that has eluded him as a coach and player at Michigan.

Big Ten basketball entered a whole new world when it returned to Indianapolis for the first of two media days.

The full schedule for Michigan basketball’s 2021-22 regular season has been revealed.

Kentucky basketball has backed out of a game against Michigan in Ann Arbor this season, U of M announced.

Michigan basketball’s Franz Wagner was selected by the Orlando Magic with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

Michigan basketball got some great news Tuesday: All-American center Hunter Dickinson is returning for another season. With him in the fold, the Wolverines will have a stacked roster again this winter.

Michigan guard DeVante’ Jones has withdrawn from the NBA draft.

Michigan freshman center Hunter Dickinson has entered the NBA draft while giving himself the option of staying in school.

Michigan’s Juwan Howard is The Associated Press men’s college basketball coach of the year.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It’s going to take a while for the sting of Tuesday night’s loss to fade for the Michigan basketball team. The Wolverines were one win away from the Final Four, but played their worst 40 minutes of offense all season. 11 seed UCLA marked an incredibly disappointing end to the 2020-2021 season, but that doesn’t mean it should tarnish the memory. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since the Fab Five era. Michigan didn’t get its storybook ending, but the journey was one fans won’t soon forget.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)INDIANAPOLIS – UCLA has made more trips to the Final Four than any program but North Carolina. AdThey were clinging to a 50-49 lead when Michigan called a timeout with 19 seconds to go, intending to set up the game's final shot. The buzzer sounded and UCLA began to celebrate, only for the officials to put a half-second back on the clock. They were 3 of 11 beyond the arc, shot 39% overall and couldn't make one at the end. UCLA won a regional semifinal in 2006 and the Bulldogs returned the favor in the 2015 regional semifinals.

Michigan basketball has been doing just that for the better part of a month. MORE: Game time, details announced for Michigan basketball vs. UCLA in Elite 8AdIt was a clinic on both ends of the court. Many experts thought Michigan would lose to LSU in the second round, and even more expected a Florida State victory Sunday night. The former ended up a much more real possibility than the latter, as the Florida State game was never in doubt. Other than the Texas Southern and Michigan State wins, Michigan had faced big deficits in five of its previous seven games.

The evening's most telling stat was points in the paint: Michigan 50, Florida State 28. Other lowlights for the Seminoles:— 14 turnovers, including 10 in the first half that led to 16 Michigan points. Adding to the trouble, Walker, the team's leading scorer this season, rolled his ankle at the 14-minute mark of the second half. FSU went on a mini-tear when Osborne and Polite made back-to-back 3s to trim Michigan's lead to five early in the second half. Driving the lane and making the extra pass underneath, the Wolverines made 11 of their first 13 shots in the second half.

Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines rebounds the ball in the game against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 28, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)(2021 Getty Images)

(AP Photo/AJ Mast)INDIANAPOLIS – It's not that Juwan Howard doesn't love his old friend and mentor, Leonard Hamilton. Howard and Hamilton struck up a strong friendship in 2000, when Howard was wrapping up his time with the Washington Wizards and Hamilton was coaching there. He said even if his late grandmother, Jannie Mae Howard, was alive and playing basketball, "I'd play her 1-on-1. “Johnny is young,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said after the BYU game. He’s improved immensely.”___More AP College Basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball; and https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Wolverines Women’s Basketball team isn’t just winning games -- it’s making history. For the first time ever, they punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 and let everyone know there’s more than just one good basketball team on campus. Congrats to @KBA_GoBlue & her squad for reaching the Sweet 16 -- FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!! pic.twitter.com/NSaoSB7zVk — Juwan Howard (@JuwanHoward) March 23, 2021“It’s a great win for the university, a great win for Michigan,” Barnes-Arico said. “Great win for little kids growing up in Michigan and for the country to see Michigan is not just a football school, or a men’s basketball school -- it’s also a women’s basketball school.”

It’s been a couple years since Spike Albrecht played for Michigan, but he’s still dialed in with his alma mater. Albrecht says his group text with former Wolverine players was getting heated Monday night, especially when LSU came out firing. But thanks to Eli Brooks and Chaundee Brown, Michigan stamped its ticket to the Sweet 16 4th straight tournament, 6th in eight years. You can’t deny it, the Michigan Wolverines are on a roll. Michigan is on to the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight year.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)INDIANAPOLIS – What the Big Ten needed was someone, anyone, to start playing like it came from the Big Ten. Seven of nine teams from the conference had departed before coach Juwan Howard brought Michigan (22-4) to the court for its second-round game in the East region. But during the 14-1 stretch that opened things up, Michigan did what typical Big Ten teams are supposed to do. Most-telling stat of the night was points off the bench: Michigan 26, LSU 2. His 27 points kept LSU in range in the second half, but Wagner rejected him underneath at the end of that stretch.

Chaundee Brown #15 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to beating the LSU Tigers in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 22, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 1 seed Michigan basketball knocked off No. 8 seed LSU on Monday to clinch a spot in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Wagner ended up with 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists. 11 seed Michigan State have all been eliminated.

(AP Photo/Robert Franklin)ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan basketball is one win away from reaching the Sweet 16, but to do so, it will need to play its best game since last month. 16 seed Texas Southern in the opening round, Michigan improved to 3-3 in its last six games. The others were against Michigan State and Ohio State -- two teams Michigan had already beaten this season. Even in its wins over Michigan State, Maryland and Texas Southern, Michigan hasn’t really put together a complete game. In the first Michigan State game, the Wolverines committed 20 fouls and 14 turnovers.

– Juwan Howard got the win in his first NCAA Tournament game since taking over at Michigan, guiding Mike Smith and the top-seeded Wolverines to an 82-66 victory over Texas Southern on Saturday. It's his second season in charge, but the NCAA Tournament was canceled last year because of the pandemic. Howard and the Wolverines (21-4) had little trouble with the No 16 seed Texas Southern, but the absence of Livers could lead to adversity down the road. It wasn’t perfect as Texas Southern outscored Michigan 42-30 in the paint and got within 12 late, causing Dickinson to re-enter the game. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference member Norfolk State ousted Appalachian State on the same court, marking the first time SWAC and MEAC schools won NCAA Tournament games on the same day.

1 seed in this season’s NCAA Tournament after going 20-4 and winning the regular season Big Ten championship. 1 seed, Michigan should have a major advantage, but you can never say never in the NCAA Tournament. Ironically, his final game before getting fired at Louisville was a second-round loss to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament. It started with the blowout loss to Illinois and continued with a couple of incomplete performances against Michigan State. Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines battles for a loose ball against Malik Hall #25 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Crisler Arena on March 04, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Second round winners: Michigan, Florida State, Texas, Alabama. On to the upsets ...First round winners: Baylor, North Carolina, Winthrop, Purdue, Texas Tech, Colgate, Virginia Tech, Ohio State. AdFirst round winners: Gonzaga, Missouri, UCSB, Virginia, USC, Kansas, VCU, Iowa. Second round winners: Gonzaga, Virginia, USC, Iowa. The Big Ten tournament gets replaced by a Final Four in the heart of Big Ten country.

Michigan head coach Juwan Howard questions a call in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Maryland at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)The Michigan Wolverines will start the 2021 NCAA Basketball Tournament as the No. 1 seed in this year's NCAA Tournament -- as it should be. 11 UCLA on Thursday in the First Four round play-in game, with the winner playing No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)INDIANAPOLIS – All Michigan coach Juwan Howard intended to do, he said, when he started walking toward the baseline during the second half of Friday’s Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals was question a call. After the game, Howard apologized for his actions — and also placed blame on the other bench. Don’t talk to me ever again,’ Then he charged at me. All I said is, ‘Don’t talk to me, don’t talk to me.’”Maryland scored five points after the fracas to cut the deficit in half. BIG PICTUREMaryland: A strong finish — and Thursday's victory over Michigan State — should be enough to get an NCAA Tournament bid.

Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after a made basket by Franz Wagner #21 of the Michigan Wolverines in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Assembly Hall on February 27, 2021 in Bloomington, Indiana. ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan basketball landed three players on All-Big Ten teams this season: wings Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner, and freshman center Hunter Dickinson. He was named to the second team by the coaches and third team by the media. Dickinson, who led Michigan with 14.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, was named the to the first team by the media and second team by Big Ten coaches. RELATED: Hunter Dickinson named Big Ten Freshman of the YearThe trio led Michigan in scoring and rebounding this season while playing strong defense.

Michigan coach Juwan Howard holds a championship sign after after the team's win over Michigan State in an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard has been named the Big Ten Coach of the Year in just his second season leading the Wolverines. RELATED: Hunter Dickinson named Big Ten Freshman of the YearHoward was an easy choice for the award after leading Michigan to a surprising Big Ten regular season championship. Next Up ....Juwan Howard has been named the COACH OF THE YEAR by the Coaches & Media! Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates his teams Big Ten championship after defeating the Michigan State Spartans 69-50 at Crisler Arena on March 04, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Despite having no COVID-19 cases, the basketball team was shut down for two weeks without any team practices or workouts.

On Sunday, Michigan trailed nearly wire-to-wire against Michigan State for its second loss in three games. Worst of all, Michigan might be without senior starter Eli Brooks in Indianapolis. Brooks injured his ankle at Michigan State and returned to the bench wearing street clothes and a boot on his left leg. Brooks has found his shot lately, too, which helped Michigan stick with MSU early in the game Sunday. Michigan’s next game begins Friday morning in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, against either Michigan State or Maryland.

Rocket Watts scored 21 points and Aaron Henry had 18 to lead the Spartans in a 70-64 victory over No. The Wolverines (19-3, 14-3) closed the regular season getting routed at home by the Fighting Illini, beating Michigan State handily to clinch the Big Ten title and losing the rematch three days later. They were ready to play today and we weren’t.”AdJoey Hauser scored nine of his 11 points off the bench in the first half as Michigan State led 30-26. SENIOR MOMENTFifth-year senior Joshua Langford, who missed much of the previous two seasons with injury, made a 3-point shot with 49 seconds left to give Michigan State a 64-59 lead. UP NEXTThe Big Ten Tournament begins Wednesday in Indianapolis, where first-seeded Michigan may meet Michigan State for a third time.

The Michigan Wolverines celebrate their 2021 Big Ten Championship after defeating the Michigan State Spartans 69-50 at Crisler Arena on March 04, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates his teams Big Ten championship after defeating the Michigan State Spartans 69-50 at Crisler Arena on March 04, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Twenty sluggish minutes left Michigan with a 14-point deficit against Wisconsin in an arena Big Ten teams almost never escape with wins. Another matchup with rival Michigan State looms this weekend, and then they’ll be a No. “I want the natty, too.”There’s still a long way to go, but as we’ve learned, doubt this Michigan team at your own risk.

2 Michigan wrapped up the Big Ten title with a 69-50 victory over rival Michigan State on Thursday night. The Wolverines won it again in 2014. Aaron Henry scored 14 points for Michigan State (14-11, 8-11), which will finish with a losing conference record for the first time since 1993. Michigan State went 0 for 9 from 3-point range, its first game without a 3 since Nov. 15, 2013 against Columbia, according to Sportradar. MOTIVATIONAL VIDEOFormer Michigan State star Draymond Green made an appearance in a pregame video the Wolverines watched.

Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines battles for a loose ball against Malik Hall #25 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Crisler Arena on March 04, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan basketball clinched the regular-season Big Ten championship Thursday with a runaway win over rival Michigan State. In the second half, it was all Michigan, which stretched its lead all the way up to 28 with under 10 minutes to play. Michigan State cut into the lead after the benches were cleared, and Michigan won by a 69-50 final. AdHunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a first half basket against the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on March 04, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines leaves the floor after a 76-53 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini at Crisler Arena on March 02, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan basketball hasn’t had many off nights this season, but on Tuesday night against Illinois, the Wolverines packed several games’ worth of regression into 40 ugly minutes. Illinois was playing without Ayo Dosunmu, one of the best players in the country and the undisputed leader of its offense. AdKofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates a first half basket with Da'Monte Williams #20 while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on March 02, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. At one point, a shellshocked Michigan team trailed by 28, and the deficit never got back below 20.

Gonzaga continued to hold down the top spot in the Top 25, just as it has all season, receiving 59 of 63 first-place votes among national media members. Illinois climbed one spot to fourth and Iowa gave the Big Ten three teams in the top five. They have a showdown with the Illini on Tuesday night before wrapping up the regular season with a home-and-home series against Michigan State. That’s a big part of what they’re doing.”West Virginia continued its steady climb, up four spots to No. The newcomer Boilermakers and sliding Badgers give the Big Ten six teams in the Top 25, one fewer than the poll-leading Big 12.

Gonzaga coach Mark Few, left, speaks with guard Jalen Suggs during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against San Diego in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. The WCC has a second NCAA Tournament team in BYU, but the Cougars won’t be more than a No. Here are the teams Gonzaga has beaten on the road this season: Portland, Saint Mary’s, San Diego, Pepperdine, Pacific, BYU and San Francisco. Again, BYU is a solid team, but the rest of that list isn’t even in consideration for the NCAA Tournament. In the past, road games have been very important to the NCAA Tournament selection committee, but maybe not so much to AP voters.

Dickinson vs. GarzaOffensively, Dickinson was solid, dropping in 14 points on 6-13 shooting with one assist and three offensive rebounds. Iowa center Luka Garza came into the game leading the nation in scoring at over 24 points per game. Connor McCaffery #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines go for a rebound during the second half at Crisler Arena on February 25, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (2021 Getty Images)Many Michigan fans will remember last season, when Garza dropped 44 and 33 points on the Wolverines in their two games against Iowa. Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Crisler Arena on February 25, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Dickinson gave Garza fits around the basket, and Franz Wagner scored 21 points to lead No. Michigan answered that with a 14-2 run that took place mostly while Dickinson was on the bench. The 7-foot-1 Dickinson, who like Garza went to high school in the Washington area, blocked Garza's first shot attempt of the game. “I know I’ve got to be better for my team,” Garza said. Michigan: The Wolverines have only one day off before playing at Indiana on Saturday.