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Should Michigan basketball run it back with Juwan Howard?

Juwan Howard's future is a hot topic among Michigan basketball fans and we address what should happen next.

By Chris Peterson

Feb 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard reacts in the
Feb 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard reacts in the / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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There was a time when a majority of Wolverines fans wanted Jim Harbaugh fired, just like right now, it feels like a majority of Michigan basketball fans want Juwan Howard to be fired.

One thing that isn't up for debate is the fact that the results this season are unacceptable. Michigan is 3-12 in the Big Ten conference. The Wolverines are 8-18 overall. That shouldn't happen and frankly, this team has too much talent to have that record.

There are depth issues and I'm not saying the roster is perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But this should be a .500 team at worst and one that's getting ready for the NIT like Ohio State.

Juwan Howard is the head coach and he's responsible for the record. Yet, there are some caveats to this season such as his heart surgery and the fact that he didn't return as the full-time head on Dec. 15. Michigan has been atrocious, especially in the second half of games but they have led at halftime in most of their losses.

You can take that as a sign of bad coaching. It's also a sign that Michigan basketball has been competitive. It led Michigan State by six last Saturday, it just couldn't finish. Part of that is the roster. There aren't enough guards or ball handlers.

Yet, Juwan has signed two points guards and landed a five-star commitment in Khani Rooths. You can bet Rooths won't join the Wolverines if Juwan Howard is fired. That woud also lead to the likely departure of Michigan's two best young players -- Dug McDaniel and Tarris Reed, who might leave anyway, especially after Dug was suspended six (away) games.

Juwan Howard would have two roster spots to fill via the transfer portal, assuming all the others leave and join as expected. If Michigan could make quality additions, plus the current roster takes a step forward, there is a path back to respectability next season.

But a lot of things have to go right and if Juwan does return, major changes need to be made, not unlike what Jim Harbaugh did back in 2021.

Next. NEXT . 3 worst hires in Michigan basketball history . dark

I'm not saying Juwan Howard should or shouldn't be fired. More posing a question because Warde Manuel makes the decisions.

He didn't fire Jim Harbaugh when everyone wanted him to and even though it has looked horrible this season, and at times over the past three, I'm not convinced this will be Juwan's last season in Ann Arbor.