WATCH: Michigan takes commanding lead over Rutgers after huge run

Michigan seems to be doing just fine without Juwan Howard at the helm.

The Wolverines led Rutgers by two points at halftime, but broke the game wide open after the break. They led 48-45 before opening up a 9-0 run to extend the lead to 57-45 with 9:20 to play. After halftime, Michigan made 12 of its first 18 baskets by the time the under-8:00 media timeout came around.

We're runnin' in Ann Arbor 🔥

9-0 run for @umichbball pic.twitter.com/9JOzOKf8ym

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 24, 2022

Hunter Dickinson had a huge first half, scoring 12 points to lead the Wolverines attack. Caleb Houstan is also having a big game, making four of his first eight three-point attempts.

Michigan is playing its first game without Howard, who’s out for the rest of the regular season after a Sunday’s postgame melee against Wisconsin. The Wolverines are also without Moussa Diabate, who received a one-game suspension as a result of the incident.

Michigan and Rutgers are currently facing off on the Big Ten Network.

Juwan Howard, Moussa Diabate receive suspension after Michigan-Wisconsin postgame scuffle

Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard finds himself in hot water after throwing a punch after their matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers. After some an intense postgame handshake with Badgers head coach Greg Gard, the two teams began to push and shove before Howard escalated the whole situation, hitting an assistant coach before being pulled away from the situation.

On Monday, the Big Ten finally released a statement on what transpired at the Kohl Center. They identified everyone involved, citing Howard, Gard, and three players — two from the Michigan side and one from Wisconsin.

“In collaboration with University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin, the Big Ten Conference has reviewed the postgame physical altercation between the Michigan Wolverines and Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball teams on February 20, 2022, in Madison, Wisconsin. 
 
“It has been determined that there was a clear violation of the Big Ten Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy by Michigan Men’s Basketball Head Coach Juwan Howard. Additionally, the University of Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Head Coach Greg Gard was in violation of the conference’s sportsmanship policy.

“For their roles in the altercation, Michigan’s Terrance Williams II (forward), Moussa Diabate (forward), and Wisconsin’s Jahcobi Neath (guard) were also in violation of the Big Ten Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy. Many members of the bench area for both teams, including assistant coaches, did not represent the level of sportsmanship that is expected from the Big Ten Conference and its member institutions.”