Bracketology 2021: Duke, Kansas, and Florida State among big winners
By Joey Loose
Michigan
The national pandemic has caused a number of issues for nearly every college basketball program in some way or another. For teams that have had to shut down, it can be difficult to start back up and play consistent basketball again. Taking that long break without practicing or playing games can be very detrimental, especially to some of these highly-ranked teams.
Not the case for Michigan. After a break of more than three weeks, the Wolverines were back in play this week and made an impact. On Sunday, they clawed back and won at #21 Wisconsin in their first game back, getting 20 points from Isaiah Livers. On Thursday, they notched another solid win, this time over a pesky Rutgers squad, getting another 20-point outing, this time from Franz Wagner.
Even after their long break, this Michigan team is loaded with talent and ready to play. They’re 15-1, 10-1 in the Big Ten, and firmly sit as the #3 team in the nation. The Wolverines have only lost once (to Minnesota on the road) and would have to lose a few games to fall from their top spot in the Big Ten. They’re now up to four wins over ranked teams and they’ll get more chances.
The tests begin very quickly as they’ll play at #4 Ohio State on Sunday. If Michigan wins, there is no question that they are the best team in the Big Ten. Even then, games with Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan State still loom as well. The bottom line is that Juwan Howard has done an incredible job in his first two years with this program.