Michigan Basketball: 3 Bold Predictions for Wolverines in 2020-21

Michigan basketball opens the season against Bowling Green today and here are three bold predictions for the Wolverines in 2020-21.

The sense of excitement among Michigan basketball fans is palpable as the season is set to open Wednesday at the Crisler Center against Bowling Green.

It’s going to be different than any season opener we ever remember. It will come in front of no fans and just like the football team, it will be strange watching without the cheers and roars we have come accustomed to, especially without the Maize rage which is honestly a better home-court advantage than the Big House provides.

But Michigan basketball won’t be alone in this obviously. Around the country, the season is getting started and the 25th-ranked Wolverines are one of the more intriguing teams in the country and certainly in the Big Ten.

While their poll ranking starts out at 25th, Kenpom ranks them much higher at 15th and that seems more accurate for this team.

In my humble opinion, Michigan basketball has two legitimate first-team All Big-Ten candidates in Franz Wagner and Isaiah Livers — two guys who will be playing in the NBA next year.

At this point, the expectations are pretty high for Franz, but in some ways, they probably aren’t high enough. That’s how good he is.

A lot of excitement also surrounds Juwan Howard in his second season as head coach. He’s been dynamic on the recruiting trail, landing the top-ranked class in 2021 during the early-signing period. He also led the Wolverines to what would have been an NCAA tournament berth last season.

But he had Xavier Simpson and Jon Teske to lead the way, which made the transition much easier. Last year, Howard adapted to his team, as any coach should and this year, we could see more of what Michigan basketball will truly be under Juwan.

And now, let’s hit the predictions for the 2020-21 season, starting with Franz.