2019-20 Season

With chaos swirling, Michigan’s season reaches crossroads

“What’s your definition of crossroads?”

That was the question Juwan Howard tossed back at a reporter Monday afternoon. 

“It could go any number of ways — you guys are in the midst of a losing streak, the longest in five years, and your captain just got suspended,” the reporter responded. “I’m just curious your thoughts are on the team’s trajectory?”

That trajectory can only be categorized as a sharp downward angle right now. The Wolverines have lost four games in a row and five of their last six, including two home losses this past week to Penn State and Illinois. The much-anticipated return of junior forward Isaiah Livers lasted all of 26 minutes before he landed awkwardly and returned to the sideline. His status remains ominous. Howard would only refer to his injury status as “day-to-day.”

And then Monday morning, senior Zavier Simpson — around whom this team singularly revolves — was suspended for at least one game for violating a team rule, the details of which are still unclear. Michigan will head to Nebraska without a road win all season, having to beat the Cornhuskers without their leader in order to stave off a devastating Quadrant 3 loss.

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