Michigan Basketball: 5 keys to a deep run in Big Ten tournament

Livers has to stop slumping

Isaiah Livers knows a thing or two about postseason basketball. After all, he started in the Final Four and the national championship game as a freshman, while helping the Wolverines win a Big Ten title that year in the tournament too.

When he’s been on the floor this season, Michigan basketball has been one of the better teams in the country. His ability to play the three and the four and even guard the two has been invaluable, along with his shooting touch and scoring ability.

But recently, he’s fallen into a slump. In the losses to Wisconsin, Ohio State and Maryland, Livers combined to score just 21 points (average of seven) to go along with a shooting percentage of less than 25 percent (7-of-29).

In those losses, Livers, a junior, was 3-of-15 from 3-point range and simply put, that can’t keep happening. Michigan has enough talent to beat any team in Indy, but not if Livers is struggling.

If Isaiah can find his groove and be the guy that averaged more than 15 a game in the four games prior, Michigan can make a run. If not, U-M will have a tough time getting past Rutgers Thursday.