(Photo: Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports)
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Seventeen teams walked into Rutgers Athletic Center this season and exited with a loss.
On Wednesday, the 18th team arrived roughly 90 minutes before tip-off. Slowly, the players streamed onto the court, stretching on the baseline and shooting.
There was one familiar face missing. Minutes passed. Then Isaiah Livers walked onto the court, dressed in grey sweats with a boot on his right foot.
Some would say Michigan basketball had no business winning at Rutgers on Wednesday night. Not without Livers, their leading scorer who had just breathed a second life into the team with his return less than two weeks ago.