Michigan Basketball: 2022-23 will be a crucial test for Juwan Howard

After the departure of John Beilein, the legendary Michigan basketball coach, the Wolverines turned to a Michigan Man as his replacement. 2019 would be Juwan Howard’s first season as head coach, and three years later, Juwan Howard will be facing a crucial test heading into his fourth season as head coach. 

Juwan Howard’s first season with the Wolverines got off to a promising start. After beginning the year unranked, Howard had the Wolverines within the top-4 teams in the country before losing Isaiah Livers to an injury. The loss of the Wolverines’ star player derailed their season, but as March rolled around, it still looked as if Michigan basketball could make the NCAA tournament.

In mid-March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic would take the world by storm and eventually cancel the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.

In 2021, Michigan basketball returned with a loaded roster. Names such as NBA star Franz Wagner, Isaiah Livers, Eli Brooks, and Hunter Dickinson led the team to a 23-5 record, good enough to finish the regular season as outright Big Ten champions.

Following their loss in the conference tournament, a healthier Michigan basketball team earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA bracket and carried their success all the way to the elite eight before being knocked out by UCLA.

When the 2020-21 season ended, the future of Michigan basketball seemed to be in good hands with Juwan Howard. Coming off of a Big Ten title and a top-five recruiting class on its way in with plenty of transfer talent, it seemed as if Juwan Howard could be on his way to building a dynasty with the Wolverines.

As 2021-22 opened up, it became clear that Michigan was now a shell of itself. Numerous freshmen all over the court combined with little senior leadership led to a total meltdown of a season for Juwan Howard and Michigan basketball.

Howard, who only has one quality season in three years at Michigan, was then suspended five games for striking a Wisconsin assistant coach following the Wolverines’ loss to the Badgers towards the end of the season.

After gaining a 17-point lead with around 12 minutes of basketball left in Michigan’s Big Ten tournament matchup with Indiana, the Wolverines allowed the Hoosiers to come back into the game, eventually losing the contest by multiple scores.

Now, 17-14 on the season, Michigan basketball may not even make the NCAA tournament and could finish the season in the NIT. After coming into the year as a top-five team, 2021-22 has been immensely disappointing.

For Juwan Howard, this season is his second finishing just over .500 in his three years as head coach. Though some of the seasons can be blamed on the Wolverines’ young roster, all signs indicate that 2022-23 is crucial for Juwan Howard’s future with Michigan basketball.