Michigan Basketball: It’s not time to panic; everything will be just fine

On a four-game losing streak, all seems lost for the 2019-20 Michigan basketball team. It’s not, and it’s certainly not time to panic.

Michigan basketball had very few expectations from those outside the program. The Wolverines weren’t ranked, they just hired a head coach without head coaching experience, and three of the five starters from a year ago were no longer with the program.

Initially, they flourished as underdogs, winning their first seven games, including upsets over North Carolina and the current No. 2 Gonzaga.

As they headed back to the states, champions of the Battle 4 Atlantis, a hangover set in down in Kentucky.  UM had the opportunity to get revenge against Louisville, but the Michigan men fell short, way short, losing 58-43. That night the Wolverines couldn’t hit anything from anywhere.

It was a short turnaround, however, and it could have been an outlier – at least, at the time, that’s what it was considered to be.

UM was able to answer the questions regarding the staggeringly slow, and out of step offensive witnessed down south with a 103 point performance over Iowa. Still, Michigan basketball’s inability to stop post scorers was a growing concern.

Back-to-back losses didn’t faze many as they were both on the road, and one went to overtime. That defeat at the hands of Oregon was what some deem a good loss.

And then, disaster struck.

Isaiah Livers injured his groin with the initial assessment of him being out indefinitely. The teams leading scorer – at the time – had just left a gaping hole on the offensive side of the ball that, on a team lacking depth, is almost impossible to fill.

Michigan without Livers

It should come as a surprise to no one that Michigan isn’t that good without their most dangerous option from beyond the arc. UM can’t score consistently without Isaiah, and they can sometimes be painful to watch.

The Wolverines handled Presbyterian and UMass Lowell without their top scorer, and they squeaked past Purdue, but against the best in the Big Ten, Michigan minus Livers doesn’t bode well.

It’s not time to panic; everything will be just fine

John Beilein is a great coach and the winningest in the history of Michigan basketball. He also had a record of 46-53 in his first three years in Ann Arbor, and during his first year, the Wolverines managed just ten wins.

Some called for his job, some wanted a ‘Michigan man’ to lead the team. But ultimately, John’s ability to develop talent proved to be his best skill and brought Michigan to heights and successes rarely seen in Crisler Center.

He took guys that weren’t even on the radar for Division II scouts and coached them to national championship appearances.

Success doesn’t always happen overnight. Juwan has done an incredible job with what he has on hand, and his ability to recruit is proving to be his best skill. With Livers back in the lineup, UM has a chance at a tournament bid, and while Michigan might not compete for a National Championship in year one, Howard is preparing the Wolverines for their future.

Everything will be ok. Give him some time to right the ship before you try to set it on fire.