Michigan Basketball: 4 Realistic expectations for remainder of season

With 14 games remaining, Michigan basketball has the opportunity to finish out the season on a high note. Here are four realistic expectations.

As it stands today, Rutgers is third in the Big Ten and after back-to-back home wins over Indiana and Minnesota, the Scarlett Knights have found themselves on the AP Poll as the 24th ranked team in the nation. That rise to the top wasn’t predicted by anyone, but then again, neither was the Wolverines – knowing three starters are gone and a new head coach was moving in. Michigan basketball might not be on that list of the 25 best teams in the country, but they still have a lot to look forward to and some lofty expectations before summertime.

Here are four realistic expectations for the rest of the season.

Recruiting

Juwan Howard’s historic recruiting haul isn’t over. He’s just getting started.

There was one man in the mix when John Beilein remained in power. Zeb Jackson kept his commitment despite the coach’s departure.

That didn’t seem to be enough for Juwan, so he went out and obtained the pledge of five-star Isaiah Todd, Howard’s crown jewel.

It didn’t end there.

With Jon Teske leaving, Howard desired another 7-footer. Hunter Dickinson fit the bill and decided Ann Arbor is the best place for him.

Finally, Terrance Williams rounded out the four 2020 future Michigan men. Terrance, Todd, Dickinson, and Jackson have sucked up the final four available scholarships which means anyone else who joins the team must do so as a walk-on.

Or maybe not.

There are some scenarios that Juwan could consider to open up a slot or two. And that leads into realistic expectation number one: Howard will find a way to open up the roster to two more scholarship players for next season.

One of those men is potentially Jace Howard, who announces his decision at 7 p.m. tonight.

The other two you can read about here.