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Michigan basketball still in the mix for Big Ten Championship

Wednesday night, Michigan basketball defeated Penn State, 79-69, and improved to 3-0 in Big Ten play. The Wolverines are still in the mix (and in 1st place) for the conference crown.

Published

9 months ago

January 5, 2023

CJ Mangum

Jan 4, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan's Dug McDaniel (0) reacts after scoring and then making a defensive stop forcing Penn State to call a timeout in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Ann Arbor, MI. — Michigan basketball took down Penn State (11-4, 2-2 Big Ten) at the Crisler Center On Wednesday night. Despite a rocky start to the season and a 6-5 non-conference record, the Wolverines are undefeated in Big Ten play and still in the mix for the Big Ten Championship.

Wolverines could still win the conference

As we have seen in many recent Michigan basketball seasons, the Wolverines are off to an up-and-down start. After starting the year 7-4 overall, Michigan hit a low point in its 63-61 home loss against Central Michigan. Since the turn of the new year, the Wolverines appear to have gotten back on track and are now 2-0 since their embarrassing loss to CMU.

Last night, Michigan basketball bested one of the better teams in the Big Ten (to this point): Penn State. The Nittany Lions came into tonight’s matchup with an 11-3 record and a series of impressive wins, including a road win at Illinois and home wins against Iowa and Butler. Though Penn State was not yet ranked, it feels as if it’s only a matter of time.

Michigan’s 3-0 Big Ten record is good enough for 1st place in the Big Ten as the Wolverines head into the bulk of their conference schedule throughout January and February.

Michigan basketball downs Penn State, 79-69

Despite the Wolverines having a worse record than Penn State heading into the game, Vegas still favored Michigan by four points. Before the matchup, ESPN gave U-M a 55.7 percent chance of victory, which was likely due to Michigan’s recent win over Maryland and the Wolverines’ home-court advantage.

Just as it did against Maryland last weekend, Michigan came out swinging and stepped on the gas as much as possible throughout the game. Michigan’s 81-46 win over the Terrapins showed the fans and media that Juwan Howard’s squad was capable of this level of play, but seeing it on a consistent basis was always our biggest concern. In fact, one of the biggest issues with Howard’s teams appears to be the lack of consistency — this is not an issue exclusive to the 2022-23 season, either.

Michigan’s offense was led by junior center Hunter Dickinson, who posted 17 points, and Kobe Bufkin who had five assists. Overall, the Wolverines went 27/58 from the floor (46.6 percent) and 8/19 from 3-point-range (42.1 percent). On defense, Terrence Williams led the way with nine rebounds, no blocks, and one steal. If the Wolverines can get this kind of production on a consistent basis, Michigan will be in great shape come tournament time.

While the Wolverines’ 10-point win over Penn State will not be enough to get U-M ranked again, it is a step in the right direction toward appearing in the polls and winning the Big Ten.

What now?

We are officially in January, which means the bulk of Big Ten play (and important games) are underway. The Wolverines better have the kinks worked out by now, because these games are the ones that count. The Wolverines now have a small road trip before returning back to Ann Arbor to host Northwestern. This weekend, Michigan basketball plays at Michigan State and will follow the MSU game with a trip to Iowa next Thursday.

Both of these games will be challenging, but that is going to be the rest of the schedule. There are no “gimmes” in the Big Ten or in March, so get ready for a couple of crazy months, Michigan fans. That being said, the Wolverines are off to a hot start in 2023.

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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

September 15, 2023

CJ Mangum

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

September 7, 2023

CJ Mangum

Michigan basketball, recruiting, No. 1 recruit in Virginia, Juwan Howard

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

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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

August 24, 2023

Augie Pasche

Michigan basketball recruiting No. 1 point guard

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.

2025’s No. 1 ranked PG, Darius Acuff, tells me he will take an official visit to Michigan on September 1-3.

The Detroit native recently announced he would be transferring to IMG Academy for the upcoming season. Averaged 20.1 PPG on the EYBL circuit this summer, the most of any… pic.twitter.com/Elgrpx9PSo

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) August 24, 2023

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!