Michigan Basketball: Can Wolverines survive loss of Isaiah Livers?

The Michigan basketball team got a win in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament on Friday, but it proved to be costly as Isaiah Livers was hurt and is out indefinitely.

Livers missed most of the second half of Michigan basketball’s win over Maryland, which advanced the Wolverines into the semifinals against Ohio State, and soon after, the rumors of a Livers’ injury started circulating on the internet.

And now, just moments ago, head coach Juwan Howard announced that Livers is going to be out indefinitely, which likely means he is out for the remainder of the season.

The release states that Livers suffered a “stress” injury. That could mean a stress fracture, but either way, with the NCAA tournament starting next week, it’s hard to see Livers being available for Michigan basketball in the Big Dance.

To put it simply, it’s a huge blow to Michigan’s hopes of reaching the Final Four and also of winning the Big Ten tournament title this weekend.

Livers is one of the best 3-point shooters in the country and his impact on both ends of the floor for Michigan is hard to overstate.

What’s next for Michigan without Livers?

If Livers does miss the rest of the season, what can Michigan do to replace him? Well, there are multiple options and it’s likely his minutes will be distributed between a couple of guys.

Against Ohio State Saturday in the Big Ten semis, we will get an idea of what Juwan Howard and company want to do.

The Wolverines could play Brandon Johns at the four and in 10 minutes against Maryland, he scored seven points and made all three of his shot attempts.

Johns is one option and he should see his minutes increase a lot. Another player that should see an increase is Chaundee Brown, a guy who is experienced as a small-ball four.

The easy scenario is giving Brown more minutes in the frontcourt, while also relying on Johns, a former Mr. Basketball in the state of Michigan to play up to this potential.

Last season, Johns played extensively and started for Livers at the four, so he’s experienced and while he isn’t the shooter from deep Livers is, he can still knock down shots from the perimeter, as can Brown.

There’s no sugar-coating the loss of Isaiah Livers. Michigan basketball’s path to the Final Four and Big Ten tournament title just got tougher. But not all hope is lost and who knows, in a regular role, maybe Johns will finally find some consistency.