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Michigan basketball: 2019-20 season review and 2020-2021 first-look preview

By Rob Wolkenbrod

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 01: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines looks over at his team during a time out in the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena on March 01, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 01: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines looks over at his team during a time out in the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena on March 01, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 14: Zavier Simpson #3, Isaiah Livers #2, and Brandon Johns, Jr. #23 of the Michigan Wolverines walk off the court after a missed game-winning shot during the second half of a college basketball game against the Oregon Ducks at The Crisler Center on December 14, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Oregon Ducks won the game 71-70 over the Michigan Wolverines. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 14: Zavier Simpson #3, Isaiah Livers #2, and Brandon Johns, Jr. #23 of the Michigan Wolverines walk off the court after a missed game-winning shot during the second half of a college basketball game against the Oregon Ducks at The Crisler Center on December 14, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Oregon Ducks won the game 71-70 over the Michigan Wolverines. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

Performance

Following up John Beilein’s run was difficult for Juwan Howard. Coming off nine seasons of at least 20 wins and two National Championship Game appearances, there was much to live up to. It was always supposed to be a down year for Michigan, either way, with losing Ignas Brazdeikis and Jordan Poole off the 30-win 2018-19 team.

However, 19-12 was still a respectable finish for Howard. The Wolverines finished in the middle of the Big Ten and had strong performances during numerous tough stretches along the way, featuring a win over Michigan State. Losing twice to Ohio State did not help, and there was a handful of games that were tight enough to keep Big Blue from a 20-win campaign.

Entering the season, Michigan was not ranked in the preseason AP Poll. Expectations were low so, perhaps, this finish was right in line with how 2019-20 was supposed to go. Without a lead scorer and no dynamic player compared to other Big Ten teams, it kept Howard’s squad behind.

It’s hardly damaging for Howard. Sure, this is Michigan basketball, so the moon will be expected at some point, but for a first season, it was good enough to get Howard by. He just needs improvement in 2020-21, with higher placement in the conference and steps forward taken from returning players and incoming recruits.