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Michigan basketball: highlights, takeaways from win over Northwestern

Sunday afternoon, Michigan basketball managed to keep its 2022-23 season alive with a win over Northwestern.

Published

8 months ago

on

Jan 15, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Jett Howard (13) dribbles against Northwestern Wildcats guard Ty Berry (3) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After starting January with a 2-0 record — which included double-digit wins over Maryland and Penn State — Michigan basketball proceeded to go on a two-game losing streak (Michigan State and Iowa). The Wolverines’ 6-5 nonconference record and 4-2 Big Ten record place U-M at 10-7 overall and outside of the NCAA Tournament picture.

Michigan downs the Wildcats, 85-78

Michigan basketball came into its Sunday afternoon matchup with Northwestern needing a win. After blowing many leads in the Iowa game (and eventually dropping the game in overtime) the Wolverines have their backs against the wall with seven losses in mid-January.

The season is still relatively young and the Wolverines still have time to turn the sinking ship around, but if Michigan had dropped today’s game, the season would be all but over. Northwestern basketball came into today’s game with a 12-4 overall record and a 3-2 Big Ten record.

The Wolverines’ offense — which had seemed non-existent against Michigan State a week ago — woke up at Iowa last week and seemingly stayed alive throughout today’s win as well. Against the Hawkeyes, Michigan struggled with defense, which is another issue that seemed to get fixed on Sunday.

When it was all said and done, the Wolverines walked away with a 6-point-victory in a much-needed win over Northwestern.

Game leaders

Points: Kobe Bufkin (20), Dug McDaniel (17), Jett Howard (16)

Assists: Jett Howard (7), Dug McDaniel (5), Hunter Dickinson/Kobe Bufkin (3)

Rebounds: Hunter Dickinson (15), Kobe Bufkin (4), Jett Howard (3)

Steals: Hunter Dickinson (2)

Blocks: Hunter Dickinson (1)

Takeaways

Michigan could be a solid team, but needs some help.

If one thing has become apparent in 2022-23, it is that Michigan basketball is a good team. That being said, the Wolverines are sloppy, undisciplined, mistake-prone, and more. One night, U-M will destroy one of the best teams in the Big Ten, and the next, the Wolverines will lost to a team like Central Michigan. If U-M expects to make a run to the NCAA tournament, they’ll need to clean it up on both sides of the ball.

Teams are catching on to the “Hunter Dickinson method.”

From 2020-2022, Michigan basketball was able to almost solely rely on Hunter Dickinson on both ends of the floor. While Dickinson is still an efficient basketball player and a great defender, teams now know that if you stop Hunter, you can stop Michigan. Seeing as the Wolverines are more one-dimensional than they were during the Big Ten Championship run in 2020-21, it is easier to double Hunter Dickinson and force Michigan to beat you elsewhere.

Michigan basketball makes immature decisions

It is clear time and time again this year: Michigan looks lost and confused. Throughout today’s game, the Wolverines again looked dazed at times and allowed Northwestern to go on huge runs. There are many times that U-M draws up a solid play; however, the Wolverines make poor decision on the fly, turn the ball over frequently, take stupid shots, and more. It is frustrating to see and an issue that must be addressed before the month comes to an end, if not sooner.

Michigan basketball has no identity

One of the biggest things that is killing Michigan basketball this year is the lack of identity. Sometimes U-M plays decent defense, but Michigan is not a defensive team. Sometimes the Wolverines have a solid shooting night, but Michigan is not a shooting team. I could go on, but you get the point. This afternoon, it was evident that we still don’t truly know who Michigan basketball is.

Give Jett Howard the basketball

Michigan basketball is at its best when Jett Howard has the ball. Whether it be defense, rebounding, or drilling much-needed 3-point shots, the Wolverines rely heavily on Jett Howard to move the needle. If these games are coming down to how well Jett plays, U-M might as well feed Howard as much as they can.

STOP the turnovers

Yet again, Michigan basketball had double digit turnovers in today’s game. The Wolverines seemingly gifted the Wildcats the ball 18 times but made up for it by outrebounding Northwestern, 41-29.

Highlights

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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.

Published

6 days ago

on

September 15, 2023

By

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.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, 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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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.

Published

2 weeks ago

on

September 7, 2023

By

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 Twitter, Facebook, 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.

Published

4 weeks ago

on

August 24, 2023

By

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 Twitter, Facebook, 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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