3 reasons Michigan Basketball will get back to Sweet 16

Looking ahead to the 2022-23 season, here’s why Michigan basketball head coach Juwan Howard will have his team back in the Sweet 16.

The Michigan basketball team has made the Sweet Sixteen or higher in the March Madness tournament every year since 2017. Current head coach Juwan Howard has made the Elite Eight and the Sweet Sixteen in his two trips to the big dance. Where is he going to lead Michigan basketball this year?

Here are three reasons why it will be back to the Sweet 16 at least.

3. Recruiting

Howard and the Wolverines were able to have another strong recruiting class, locking down three top 100 recruits, including Doug McDaniel (59th), Jett Howard (41st), and Tarris Reed (31st).

Jett Howard is one of the recruits I’m most excited for. He’s a 6’7, 185 lb forward, son of coach Juwan Howard. He played high school basketball for IMG Academy, a prep school in Florida. These three Wolverines should be able to make an immediate impact on the team in the 2022-2023 season.

2. Motivation

Last season many analysts predicted the Wolverines to win the Big Ten, and become a No. 1 seed in the March Madness tournament.

After a top recruiting class, with several five-star players, the Wolverines were poised to try and return to the National Championship like 2018.

Unfortunately, the Wolverines never lived up to the hype and fell short in the Sweet 16 to Villanova. Fortunately for Michigan, their problems from last season have ended, and they’re looking to get right back to competing for a championship.

No. 1 Hunter Dickinson

Last season Dickinson was by far the best Wolverine on the court. He’s a 7-foot-1, 260-pound center who can hit outside shots. He was dominant in the post last season, averaging 18.6 PPG, along with grabbing 8.6 RPG, both team highs.

The 7-footer has returned for his third season as a Wolverine, and should lead the team in almost all categories. Dickinson won second-team All-American in 2021 and is looking to get back as the #1 option on a championship-winning team.