Michigan coach Juwan Howard returns from suspension ahead of Big Ten Tournament

The Michigan Wolverines closed the book on the 2021-22 men's college basketball regular season with an impressive 75-69 win at the rival Ohio State Buckeyes. That win was notched on Sunday with Phil Martelli filling in as acting head coach as Juwan Howard served the final contest of his five-game suspension for striking the head of Wisconsin Badgers assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft at the end of a matchup back on Feb. 20.

As Andrew Kahn explained for MLive, Howard was officially reinstated as Michigan head coach on Monday. The Wolverines didn't practice on the first day of the week, but Howard held player meetings individually. 

Kahn added that Howard's status was not guaranteed as of early Monday but that the former "Fab Five" player had met unknown stipulations for his reinstatement previously set by both the university and the Big Ten. 

Without Howard in charge, Michigan beat Rutgers, fell to Illinois, defeated Michigan State and lost to Iowa before Sunday's victory at Ohio State. The 17-13 Wolverines are considered by some to be a "bubble" team for the NCAA Tournament heading into Thursday's conference tournament showdown with the 18-12 Indiana Hoosiers. 

Kevin Skiver of Sporting News wrote Monday that Michigan could be a "First Four" team for the Big Dance with a loss on Thursday.