Juwan Howard explains how he's preparing Michigan for the Big Ten Tournament

Michigan missed a golden opportunity to improve the NCAA Tournament resume on Sunday, losing in overtime to Indiana. The Big Ten Tournament is now the focus, with head coach Juwan Howard needing a run to keep his program’s postseason hopes alive. Four games in four days will be the goal in Chicago.

Howard revealed how he is preparing a young Michigan team to play in the Big Ten Tournament. He said scouting is going to play a huge role, working in practice heading into Thursday’s first matchup. The goal of the coaches is to put players in position to be successful.

“We prepare our scout, as far as who we’re going to face,” Howard said. “What will give us the best chance, best advantage of going out there and competing at a high level. In practice, we try to implement what’s going to be our game plan moving forward to put us in position to go out there and compete at a high level.”

Michigan already knows its first opponent, facing off against Rutgers. They too have NCAA Tournament aspirations on the line after a late-season skid. While the first game of the day at the United Center is not a win-and-in scenario, both will be fighting for a spot in the field of 68.

Howard will surely have scouts looking ahead a round, with Purdue awaiting in the quarterfinals.

Juwan Howard looking to balance between Big Ten, NCAA Tournament

As the Big Ten Tournament gets underway this week, Michigan is fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines are squarely on the bubble as they head to Chicago, and although they’re hoping to put their dancing shoes on, Juwan Howard said they have to stay focused on the task at hand.

Howard addressed that type of balance following Michigan’s 75-73 overtime loss to Indiana in the regular season finale, which dropped the Wolverines to 17-14 overall and an 11-9 record in Big Ten play. They secured a first-round bye in the conference tournament and will be the No. 8 seed, taking on No. 9 seed Rutgers on Thursday.

While playing in March Madness is a goal, Howard doesn’t sound like someone who’s getting too far ahead of himself.

“We are in a great position, now starting a second part of our season,” Howard said. “There’s no other way but to now have an opportunity to hold up a trophy. It’s going to take one game at a time. We don’t look ahead. … We’ll be preparing to go to Chicago to compete.”