Michigan Wolverines basketball coach Juwan Howard speaks to the media on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, in Ann Arbor. Detroit Free Press
Michigan's game against Northwestern on Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena is one the Wolverines can ill afford to lose.
The Wildcats (6-16, 1-11) have not had a banner season. They are last in the Big Ten, have lost seven in a row and 12 of their past 13. They will be hard-pressed to reach double-digit wins overall.
Michigan (14-9, 5-7) is on the right side of the NCAA tournament picture at the moment. But losing to Northwestern would be a significant blemish on the résumé.