Former Michigan basketball commit wins Pac-12 Player of the Year

There is a debate raging among Michigan basketball fans: whether or not to keep Juwan Howard as the head coach of the Wolverines.

For those who want Juwan Howard fired as Michigan’s head coach, the past two seasons are all the evidence needed. The Wolverines had an All-American and two first-round picks on the 2022-23 team and didn’t even make the NCAA tournament.

With a similar collection of talent the prior season, Michigan barely made the NCAA tournament, although the Wolverines did advance to the Sweet 16. Like him or not, Howard has won five NCAA tournament games with Michigan and a Big Ten title.

His worst opponent has also been the admissions department. That effectively blocked the transfers of Caleb Love and Terrence Shannon Jr., which stung even more on Tuesday as Love earned Pac-12 Player of the Year.

The loss of Caleb Love stings even more for Michigan basketball

Shannon has been spectacular for Illinois. He missed part of this season due to an off-court issue, but Shannon torched the Wolverines and has played like a First-Team All-Big Ten performer. Love wound up transferring to Arizona after he was committed to Michigan basketball just like Shannon.

Love averaged 18.3 points per game this season and shot 43 percent from the field. He also averaged 4.9 assists per game and has made 35 percent on his 3-point attempts. Adding Love might not have made Michigan an NCAA tournament team in 2023-24, but it would have helped.

So it’s not like Juwan can’t identify talent. But he also needs to find players who can be admitted into the university. That’s on him as much as it is on admissions. Yet, it’s also a reminder that winning at Michigan isn’t easy, which makes what Jim Harbaugh did even more incredible.

Coaching at Michigan can be like coaching with one hand tied behind your back. John Beilein was good enough to overcome it. Howard may not be.

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