Michigan Basketball: Is Isaiah Livers set to return against Illinois?

Michigan basketball has an enormous game against Illinois Saturday and there seems like a chance that Isaiah Livers could return to the lineup.

It’s possible that Juwan Howard learned a trick or two Jim Harbaugh about how to be coy about injuries, cause the Michigan basketball coach was holding back when talking to reporters Friday on the topic of Livers.

Recently, Howard said that Livers would need to return to practice before he could return to the floor. Fans got excited when they saw him warming up for Michigan basketball’s game against Iowa, yet, Howard said he still had work to do and he didn’t play against Illinois.

However, there are some indications that Livers could be making a return. At the very least, he stirred up some speculation with this Instagram post:

The junior forward was scoring more than 13 points a game before getting injured and was connecting on 50 percent of his 3-point attempts, while shooting 50.9 percent from the field overall.

Not to mention, his ability to defend multiple positions, rebound, handle the ball and create offense. No one on the team can play closer as well as Livers and when a bucket is needed, he is the best at getting his own shot.

Just his ability to knock down 3-pointers consistently, at least more consistently than Brandon Johns, who has been starting for him will be essential.

But when reporters asked Howard Friday about Livers, he didn’t have much to say, he wouldn’t even acknowledge if he practiced or not, which makes you think something might be up.

“He’s getting better, I’ll say that. That’s all I got to give.” Howard said via 247 sports.

Leading up to the Penn State game, Howard seemed to be a little more forthcoming, saying that Livers hadn’t returned to practice just yet. But since he wouldn’t confirm or deny that Friday, it makes you think Livers may be back on the court.

Now, even if he has returned to practice, it doesn’t mean he is going to return to the game. Maybe it’s going to be a game-time decision and he will get a chance to test it out in warmups.

The Wolverines, who have tumbled down to No. 30 in the Kenpom rankings, could desperately use Livers against Illinois, which is 6-2 and tied for first in the Big Ten. The Illini are also 21st in the Kenpom rankings, boasting a top-30 offense. Michigan basketball is 31st in offensive efficiency and 49th when it comes to defense, a far cry from where it stood a year ago.

Livers absence hasn’t helped that, but it hasn’t been the only issue. However, if he can return, he would certainly provide a huge spark for this team in what amounts to a must-win game.