Michigan Basketball: 3 Wolverines who need to step up in NCAA Tourney

Michigan basketball opens the NCAA Tournament on Saturday and here are three Wolverines who need to step up.

Throughout the 2020-21 Michigan basketball season, the Wolverines seemed to have all the pieces needed for a run to the Final Four.

While that could still be the case, Michigan comes into the NCAA Tournament having lost three of its last five games. The Wolverines are also going to be without one of their best players in Isaiah Livers, who is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot.

Livers loss is so huge for the Wolverines. Not only is he Michigan’s best 3-point shooter, but he is also one of the leaders on the team and one of its better defenders/rebounders.

Replacing him won’t be easy, but how effectively the Wolverines are able to manage his absence could determine how far they go this March and whether their stay at the Big Dance is an extended one.

With that in mind, here are three Wolverines who need to step up in the absence of Livers.

Brandon Johns

This one is obvious since Johns actually started for Livers during the last game against Ohio State. However, Juwan Howard hinted that might not be the case going forward.

Either way, Johns is going to be one of the guys counted on to play more minutes and while he’s been inconsistent throughout his career, he’s more talented than people realize and is a career 36 percent shooter from 3-point range.

Johns could be a really effective stretch four and his defense is pretty solid too. He’s one of the better rebounders on the Michigan basketball team.

The question with him is maintaining his mental focus and not committing unnecessary fouls or turnovers. If he can do those things and knock down the occasional 3-pointer, it would be a huge help as U-M tries to get to a fourth consecutive Sweet 16.