The first half of 2023 for Michigan was the strangest, and it was incredibly disappointing. The Wolverines began the season rated 22nd in the nation, but Michigan’s 7-5 start put an immediate stop to their status among the top teams in the country.
At 11-10 by the end of January, the Wolverines were at rock bottom. Even with the loss of point guard Jaelin Llewellyn, Michigan had a strong team on paper. Following the season, center Hunter Dickinson was arguably the most sought-after player via the transfer portal, with both Jett Howard and Kobe Bufkin selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
After making considerable progress and securing a respectable slot in the Big Ten standings, the Wolverines wasted the little opportunity they had.
The unrest in Michigan didn’t end there. The Wolverines recruited gifted but erratic former North Carolina guard Caleb Love in the offseason. Love ended up in Arizona, though, since not enough of his North Carolina courses transferred.
In September, Coach Juwan Howard underwent a cardiac operation, which continues to prevent him from participating in the program on a daily basis.
Everything seems unsettling, and Ann Arbor’s expectations for the upcoming season have dropped dramatically. Although they don’t have much experience, returning players Dug McDaniel, Terrance Williams, Tarris Reed, and Llewellyn all show promise.
