The Michigan Wolverines have lost five in a row and 10 of their last 11 games after Saturday’s loss to Rutgers. Michigan head basketball coach Juwan Howard appears to be at wits’ end.
Speaking to the media after the game, Howard said that he needs more “buy-in” from his players in order for the team to start winning. He said that he believes in the staff and his approach to the team through practice, but needs that “buy-in.”
“Always addressed in practice, man,” Juwan Howard said . “Everything, just take your pick. Everything is always addressed in practice. We have a great staff. We’ve done this before and had success while doing it, but the buy-in has to be reciprocated on the other end as well. When you have the buy-in, that you’re going to do what we practice and apply it, it works. It’s proven that it works.”
Well, if the players aren’t “buying in” that seems to be a much bigger problem than the team’s current record – which is now firmly in last place in the Big Ten Conference. As of writing, they’re 7-15 overall (the only sub .500 team in the conference) with a 2-9 record within the conference.
Missing the NCAA Tournament last year after some late-season struggles might have been forgivable once. But it’s highly unlikely that Howard’s job will be safe if the team misses the tournament for a second year in a row – especially if they finish with a sub .500 record as they seem to be on pace to.
Will Juwan Howard last the rest of the season?