Michigan Wolverines
Big Ten (19-12, 10-10)
Michigan took a chance on bringing in new coach Juwan Howard. The Wolverines performed well in non-conference play, picking up quality wins over teams like Creighton and Gonzaga. Big Ten play did not start off so well though. At one point Michigan was sitting at 2-6 in conference action and the NCAA Tournament seemed out of reach. However, Coach Howard rallied his team and they won seven of their next eight games and that stretch got them their ninth tournament appearance in the last ten years.
Big Wins: 11/12 Creighton (79-69), 11/29 vs Gonzaga (82-64), 2/8 Michigan State (77-68)
Bad Losses: 1/12 at Minnesota (67-75), 1/22 Penn State (63-72), 1/25 Illinois (62-64)
Coach: Juwan Howard
Why They Can Surprise:
Michigan does a great job of taking care of the ball and much of that is because of point guard Zavier Simpson. The senior dishes out an amazing 7.9 assists per game and adds 12.9 points. The backcourt also boasts double digit scorers Eli Brooks and Franz Wagner. The frontcourt is quite impressive too. Isaiah Livers has emerged as Michigan’s top scoring threat, averaging 12.9 points per game. He is also a very efficient outside shooter. Jon Teske will take some three-pointers too, but the 7-1 senior does most of his scoring in the paint.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Michigan has a roster that is full of potential shooters. That is the way the previous coaching regime wanted it. However, this group has not been particularly consistent from long range. This is still a Michigan team that needs to hit some long balls and they usually do. However, when those shots are not falling and the Wolverines are not hitting their three-pointers, the offense can become stagnant. In many of their losses, Michigan was not hitting those shots and they wasted way too many possessions hoping three-pointers would fall. If that happens in March, Michigan could be in deep trouble.
Probable Starters:
Zavier Simpson, Senior, Guard, 12.9 ppg, 7.9 apg, 4.5 rpg
Franz Wagner, Freshman, Guard, 11.6 ppg, 1.0 apg, 5.6 rpg
Eli Brooks, Junior, Guard, 10.6 ppg, 2.0 apg
Isaiah Livers, Junior, Forward, 12.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Jon Teske, Senior, Center, 11.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.8 bpg
Key Role Players:
Brandon Johns, Sophomore, Forward, 6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Austin Davis, Senior, Forward, 4.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg
David DeJulius, Sophomore, Guard, 7.0 ppg, 1.5 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 75.0 (74th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.3 (146, 11)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.2 (49, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.3 (141, 12)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.0 (101, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.9 (146, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.7 (144, 8)
Rebound Margin: 0.9 (156, 11)
Assists Per Game: 14.6 (53, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.7 (14, 3)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Montana |
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Florida |
| 2019 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Texas Tech |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Montana |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Houston |
| 2018 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Texas A&M |
| 2018 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Florida State |
| 2018 | NCAA | National Semifinal win over Loyola (IL) |
| 2018 | NCAA | National Final loss to Villanova |
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Oklahoma State |
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Louisville |
| 2017 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Oregon |
| 2016 | NCAA | Opening Round win over Tulsa |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Notre Dame |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Wofford |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Texas |
| 2014 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Tennessee |
| 2014 | NCAA | Regional Final loss to Kentucky |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over South Dakota State |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over VCU |
| 2013 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Kansas |
| 2013 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Florida |
| 2013 | NCAA | National Semifinal win over Syracuse |
| 2013 | NCAA | National Final loss to Louisville |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Ohio |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Tennessee |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Duke |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Clemson |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Oklahoma |
| 2007 | NIT | First Round win over Utah State |
| 2007 | NIT | Second Round loss to Florida State |
| 2006 | NIT | First Round win over UTEP |
| 2006 | NIT | Second Round win over Notre Dame |
| 2006 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Miami |
| 2006 | NIT | Semifinal win over Old Dominion |
| 2006 | NIT | Final loss to South Carolina |
| 2004 | NIT | First Round win over Missouri |
| 2004 | NIT | Second Round win over Oklahoma |
| 2004 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Hawaii |
| 2004 | NIT | Semifinal win over Oregon |
| 2004 | NIT | Final win over Rutgers |
*all team stats through 3/8
