Michigan Basketball: 3 bold predictions for Wolverines in 2020-21

The Wolverines will finish first or second in the conference

Michigan basketball fans were screaming at the top of their lungs, ordering the AP voters to publish a list wherein U-M was near the top. It happened and one met four.

No. 1 Lousiville decimated No. 4 Michigan with overwhelming defense and the benefit of the maize and blue hitting only three of their 19 three-point attempts. It was an ugly win that set in motion an epic downfall from grace.

Michigan had gone from top five in the county to left off the ballot, but Juwan had performed miracles in the past, and he would do so again with a group of guys he has just met and in a position he had never been in before.

The last miracle witnessed occurred in February against legendary coach Tom Izzo and the eventual co-Big Ten Champions, the Michigan State Spartans.

Howard outcoached, outmaneuvered, and his men outperformed the Spartans to a rambunctious crowd at Crisler. The fans were rewarded with a 77-68 victory over MSU.

A few cupcakes and then a daunting four-game stretch later, UM had concluded the regular season, the proud owner of 19 victories with the potential to hit the 20-win mark.

The season was inconsistent and the conference standings at the end were less than favorable for the Wolverines, but heading into next year, UM will have the top-ranked class for the Big Ten, which is also ranked ninth overall, according to 247 sports. It’s entirely possible, if not probable, the Wolverines will cap off the 2020-21 season as the Big Ten champs, or a very close second place.