Minneapolis — Michigan’s maybe worst men’s basketball season in modern history came to an end on Wednesday night in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, losing 66-57 to Penn State.
An poor first-half offensive performance left the Wolverines with a double-digit hole, and U-M couldn’t match its improved second-half shooting with enough defensive stops to finish the comeback. Michigan sealed the win with one field goal in the final 7:53.
WilliTerrance ams II led Michigan with 15 points, while Tarris Reed Jr. contributed 12 points and eight rebounds before fouling out with five minutes remaining. However, they were U-M’s only two efficient scorers, as the team shot 19-for-56 and committed 15 turnovers. Penn State had its own offensive issues, particularly in the first half, but Zach Hicks’ 20 points, including six 3-pointers, kept his team comfortably ahead.
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The Wolverines complete the season 8-24, with 19 losse
s in their last 21 games. The 24 losses represent a new programme high. They dropped 17 regular-season conference games, finishing worst in the Big Ten for the first time in nearly 60 years, and then lived up to their ranking in the tournament.
Michigan’s offseason has begun, before the majority of its Big Ten competitors begin the conference tournament. U-M will return to Ann Arbour and begin a roster revamp, which may include coaching changes.
Here’s how Michigan’s terrible 2023-24 basketball season ended:
