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Analyst reports Juwan Howard could miss start of Michigan basketball season

By Chris Peterson

CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 02: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines is seen during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on March 2, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 02: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines is seen during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on March 2, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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There is a report from Big Ten analyst Stephen Bardo that Juwan Howard could miss the start of the Michigan basketball season. 

While Michigan fans have been engulfed in the NCAA investigation of the football team, the Michigan basketball has its first exhibition game this week.

And head coach Juwan Howard isn’t expected to be coaching. In fact, according to Big Ten Network Analyst Stephen Bardo, Juwan might not be back until around Christmas.

"“I want to send my well wishes out, because the heart procedure that he had I think was a little bit more serious when they went in,” Bardo said on Podcast on the Brink. “So, he’s going to miss extended time.”"

Howard had a heart procedure back in September. The program announced that he would miss 6-8 weeks but it seems like the timeline could extend longer.

"“I don’t think he’s going to be back at the start of the season next week,” Bardo said. “I think it’s going to be more like Christmastime — maybe back end of Christmas, right before the Big Ten resumes. We wish him a speedy recovery.”"

Michigan basketball played a secret scrimmage against Marquette last weekend and beat the fifth-ranked team in the country according to reports. However, you don’t want to put too much weight on a secret scrimmage.

The first scheduled exhibition game of the season is Friday night against Northwood at 7 p.m. It will be shown on BTN Plus. Michigan basketball will open the season on November 7th against UNC-Asheville. That will be on the Big Network next Tuesday.

As Clayton Sayfie of The Wolverine notes, if Howard isn’t able to return until Christmas, he’ll miss a significant portion of the schedule.

"“Michigan plays 12 games before Christmas and 13 before the new year. That includes a road game at St. John’s (Nov. 13), three tilts at the Battle 4 Atlantis (Nov. 22-24), a road clash at Oregon (Dec. 2), Big Ten games against Indiana (Dec. 5) and at Iowa (Dec. 10) and a Jumpman Invitational showdown with Florida (Dec. 19).”"

Next. 5 reasons to be optimistic about Michigan basketball. dark

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