Odds aren’t in favor of Juwan Howard returning to Michigan basketball

Michigan basketball fans have suffered through one of the worst seasons in the history of the program in 2023-24, having already clinched the first last-place finish in decades.

The Wolverines are playing out the string at this point. Nebraska comes to Crisler on Sunday for Senior Day before Michigan basketball takes part in the Big Ten tournament next week, where they will play on the first day for the first time.

Therefore, the big question surrounding Michigan basketball is will Juwan Howard be back? Fans and analysts expressed their opinions on social media following the blowout loss to Ohio State. It was so bad John Beilein refused to even comment.

Yet, John U. Bacon, a known insider, said it was “more likely than not” that Juwan would be retained.

Oddsmakers weigh in on Juwan Howard

According to Vegas Oddsmakers, Howard is tied for the fourth-best odds of any college basketball coach to get fired following the season. He’s at +1000, which ties him with Jerry Stackhouse of Vanderbilt. There’s a 9.1 percent chance according to the odds that Michigan basketball retains Howard after what could be an 8-24 season.

A former Fab Five member and one of the best players in Michigan basketball history, Howard did coach the Wolverines to a pair of Sweet 16 appearances, as well as a Big Ten Championship in 2021, which was the Wolverines’ first outright conference title since 2014.

It would pain me to see Howard fired. He was one of my favorite Wolverines of all time. But there’s no doubt that the program needs a change. Maybe Juwan can make changes like Jim Harbaugh after the 2020 season and remain the head coach, but at this point, the odds of a return aren’t in his favor.

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