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Michigan basketball could revive tournament hopes against Penn State

Despite a rocky start, the Wolverines are still in the March Madness conversation if they can beat the Nittany Lions.

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Michigan basketball transfer portal Jose Perez
Dec 29, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard on the sideline in the first half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Just over a week ago, most fans had lost all hope for Michigan basketball this season. In fairness, this feeling was justified seeing as the Wolverines were 7-5 overall and had just dropped a home matchup to Central Michigan — a mid-tier MAC program. Still, Michigan got back on track and faces a tough Penn State team in Crisler tonight.

Michigan basketball has a less-than-ideal start

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but despite starting 3-0 and looking solid in November, Michigan basketball has faced a rough start in 2022-23. After dismantling the Pitt Panthers, Michigan got run out of the building against Arizona State and has lost another four games since then. The Wolverines his rock bottom just over a week ago when Central Michigan came into Crisler Center and beat U-M, 63-61.

This is nothing new for Juwan Howard’s teams though, and at this point, Michigan fans should be used to this bipolar basketball. Even last year, a season in which Michigan made a run to the Sweet 16, the Wolverines entered the tournament just over .500 as an 11 seed.

Whatever was said after the CMU game clearly worked, seeing as Michigan basketball came out swinging against Maryland last Sunday night.

Wolverines are back on track in 2023

To kick off 2023, Michigan basketball decided to obliterate a solid Maryland team. The Terrapins came into Ann Arbor with a 10-3 record and some solid wins under their belts, such as a blowout win over Louisville and a 71-66 win over No. 16 Illinois. Despite a solid resume and record, the Wolverines went all out and floored Maryland, 81-46, in an impressive bounce-back game.

The Maryland win improved Michigan basketball to 8-5 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play. Somehow, despite a 6-5 non-conference record, the Wolverines are still 1st in the Big Ten. Tonight, Michigan will face one of its biggest challenges yet: Penn State. Although the Nittany Lions are not usually a solid basketball team, new head coach Micah Shrewsberry has Penn State playing at a high level and looking dangerous.

Penn State is 11-3 on the season and 2-1 in conference play thus far, which places them at 4th in the Big Ten. A win over Penn State would be massive for Juwan Howard and his program this season.

A win over Penn State gets Michigan back into the mix

As we have seen in seasons past, it really only takes one game to turn a season around. In a year like this one it is essential that the Wolverines find their stride and make a push for the Big Ten.

Even though U-M struggled early, the Wolverines are still No. 1 in the conference and could keep their Big Ten Championship hopes alive tonight against the Nittany Lions. Shrewsberry is a tough coach to beat, but not one that Howard and Co. cannot overcome. Whatever was done against Maryland in Michigan’s massive win should be done again tonight at Crisler.

A win would improve Michigan’s record to 9-5 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten play. On top of that, the Wolverines would have an impressive top-tier win that would improve Michigan’s resume by a lot, which as we have seen, is very important come tournament time. Getting the 2022-23 season back on track is essential for Juwan Howard, and that could all start tonight against Penn State.

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BREAKING: Juwan Howard has surgery, Martelli to assume interim coach role

BREAKING: Michigan basketball head coach Juwan Howard has successful surgery. Phil Martelli to take over as interim head coach.

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Juwan Howard, Michigan basketball, Phil Martelli
Mar 5, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard in the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Today, news broke that Michigan basketball head coach Juwan Howard, who is entering his fourth season at the helm in Ann Arbor, had open heart surgery over the offseason. With Howard recovering, long-time assistant Phil Martelli is slated to be the Wolverines’ interim head coach to open the 2023-24 season, which is fast approaching.

Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard has heart surgery, Phil Martelli to serve as interim coach

The 2023-24 Michigan basketball season will look a little different later this year, as Phil Martelli will be stepping in as interim head coach. Today, it was confirmed that Juwan Howard — the team’s full-time head coach — is recovering from heart surgery right now.

“I feel so grateful and blessed that this surgery was performed at University of Michigan Health,” said Howard in a statement. “My wife, Jenine, and our family appreciate the world-class care that has been provided to us. Dr. (Kim) Eagle, Dr. (Himanshu) Patel, Dr. (Stanley) Chetcuti, and all of the staff at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center are so talented and performed like champions throughout this process. I am going to work very hard in my rehabilitation to be stronger than ever by the time our upcoming season is upon us.”

Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel added the following:

“We are extremely grateful Juwan’s proactive procedure was a success and that he is resting comfortably,” said Warde Manuel. “We will continue to support Juwan, Jenine and his family as well as the program throughout his absence. All of us at the athletic department have Juwan in our thoughts and prayers. We look forward to Juwan’s return when he feels that he has fully recovered.”

It is expected that Juwan Howard will return to the court as head coach for Michigan basketball later in the season.



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Elite Michigan basketball target will be in Ann Arbor tomorrow

Tomorrow, an elite Michigan basketball target (2024 recruiting class) will be in Ann Arbor for his first-ever visit with the Wolverines.

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Michigan basketball, recruiting, No. 1 recruit in Virginia, Juwan Howard
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Juwan Howard and his Wolverines will be hosting Patrick Ngongba, an elite Michigan basketball target in the 2024 recruiting class, shortly. Ngongba, the No. 1 recruit in Virginia, has the Maize and Blue among his finalists and will be making the trip to Ann Arbor tomorrow (September 8th).

Elite Michigan basketball target about to be in Ann Arbor

While the 2023 Michigan Wolverines football season is now in full swing and has the attention of the entire fanbase, it’s worth noting that Juwan Howard and the Maize and Blue are hot on the recruiting trail in the 2024 recruiting class and beyond. After a tough 2022-23 season, Howard needs some good news to right the ship in Ann Arbor — tomorrow, he will have a massive opportunity to get one step closer to landing an elite recruit.

Patrick Ngongba is the No. 1 recruit in Virginia (for the 2024 recruiting class) and is an elite Michigan basketball target. The 6-foot-10, 235-pound center is an ESPN five-star prospect and is ranked among the top 30 players in the country in the composite rankings. So far, Juwan Howard has landed two prospects in the 2024 cycle, neither of which is rated anywhere close to Patrick Ngongba in the composite standings.

Can Juwan Howard land Patrick Ngongba in the 2024 recruiting class?

For the time being, Michigan basketball appears to be on the outside looking in ahead of Patrick Ngongba’s visit tomorrow — Duke and Kansas State currently have the best odds of landing him, per the Recruiting Prediction Machine. That said, Juwan Howard is a solid recruiter, and a visit to Ann Arbor, MI, ahead of a football game weekend could be a difference-maker for the Wolverines down the stretch.

According to the On3 visit tracker, tomorrow will be the first time that Michigan basketball gets the No. 1 recruit in Virginia on campus. This further showcases how important the visit will be for the Wolverines if Juwan Howard expects to have a shot against some of the other major programs vying for his commitment.

***If you missed it, Tom Brady is searching for the biggest Michigan fan! We have a great series going right now as a part of our Fan Flex challenge series — below is the link to our latest challenge! Among this week’s prizes includes an invite to the Blue by Ninety tailgate and a Blue by Ninety beer (for those of age) See the link below for more!

LINK: https://autograph.outgrow.us/blueby90-3



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan basketball recruiting will host No. 1 point guard in September

Michigan basketball recruiting will host the No. 1 point guard of the 2025 class for an official visit.

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Michigan basketball recruiting No. 1 point guard
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan basketball is coming off of its most disappointing season of the Juwan Howard era. After missing the national tournament for the first time since taking over as head coach, Howard is already looking ahead to the future to right the ship for the Wolverines. Recently, Joe Tipton of On3 Sports announced that Darius Acuff — currently the No. 1 point guard of the 2025 recruiting class — will visit Ann Arbor in early September.

Michigan basketball recruiting will host official visit for No. 1 point guard Darius Acuff

Michigan basketball has a huge opportunity to lock down an elite prospect this September. Acuff’s official Ann Arbor visit will reportedly last from September 1-3.

Acuff is among the nation’s best and currently holds the No. 1 On3 industry ranking among point guards in the 2025 class. Across all positions, the six-foot point guard is the No. 9 industry-ranked player in the country.

Acuff is originally from Detroit, MI and played basketball at Cass Tech before recently transferring to IMG Academy in Florida. Michigan basketball currently holds the lead on Acuff’s recruitment on On3’s recruiting prediction machine with a 45.4 percent chance. Also in contention for Acuff’s recruitment are Kentucky, Michigan State, and Ohio State.

While Michigan basketball lost lots of talent this offseason, the recruiting game has been heating up as well. Landing a top-tier talent like Acuff could be just what the Wolverines need to build their recruiting momentum.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and InstagramYou can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. 

Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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