‘Fire Juwan’ is trending after ugly Michigan Basketball loss
Michigan basketball saw its NCAA hopes dashed on Thursday in a terrible loss against Rutgers and some fans now want Juwan Howard fired.
In a game that Michigan basketball had to win to keep its hopes of making the NCAA tournament alive, the Wolverines fell flat on their face.
Michigan took a five-point lead into the half and then scored just 22 points in the second half of a 62-50 loss to Rutgers, which ends any hope of making March Madness.
Michigan basketball could still get selected to play in the NIT, however, it will be the first time since 2015 that the Wolverines won’t be in the NCAA tournament after five consecutive trips to the Sweet 16.
The loss dropped Michigan to 17-15 on the season, but it wasn’t just the record that was disappointing as the Wolverines have two players — Jett Howard and Kobe Bufkin — projected to be first-round picks, along with a first-team All-Big Ten selection in Hunter Dickinson and all that amounted to was an eight seed in the Big Ten tourney and the NIT.
That’s not good enough and the coaching was a huge issue. Michigan has been terrible in close games under Howard and this year, it has been even worse. Needing to split last week, Michigan blew a 7-point lead in overtime to Illinois and a 12-point second-half lead to Indiana.
The Wolverines also lost a nine-point lead with under two minutes to go against Iowa and others including a 12-point halftime lead blown vs Virginia. Even on Thursday, the Wolverines had a five-point halftime lead but were beaten by a team with urgency — just look at this play.
Mickey Mouse operation pic.twitter.com/u2rwBVlsso
— Chris Castellani (@Castellani2014) March 9, 2023
It has led the #FireJuwan to start trending on Twitter. John U. Bacon quickly tweeted that Michigan basketball won’t be firing Juwan, but there’s no doubt, Michigan basketball fans aren’t happy and they shouldn’t be.
Much grumbling from Michigan's MB fans about UM's BI6 tournament exit, and with good reason. Heartless performance, worthy of NIT bid.
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) March 9, 2023
But despite some fans' calls, AD Manuel isn't about to fire Juwan Howard. WM hired him, they're close, and JH might bring three starters back.
The Wolverines underachieved last season and were saved by a Sweet-16 run. This time around, Juwan has to look at himself and figure this out. The program is trending in the wrong direction and it’s a trend that started in the 2021-22 season.
Next. 3 takeaways from loss to Rutgers. dark
I’m not part of the fire Juwan Howard movement yet, but Michigan basketball needs to bounce back next season and the onus is on Juwan, whose seat will be warm heading into 2023-24.