Former Player Nik Stauskas Speaks Out on Michigan Basketball Following Embarrassing Loss
Former Michigan great Nik Stauskas is dissatisfied with the product his old institution is putting on the floor. The former Wolverine blasted the program Tuesday night, following a 99-67 loss to Purdue in West Lafayette. Stauskas, who played for Michigan under John Beilein from 2012 to 2014, resorted to social media to express his dissatisfaction. He seemed especially irritated by the players’ lack of enthusiasm when wearing the maize-and-blue shirt. “These kids have no respect or understanding of what it means to put on that M,” Stauskas stated in a blog post. “Haven’t felt any kind of passion or love for the game from Michigan basketball in years.”
Following Michigan’s 32-point loss against Purdue, the Wolverines are now last in the Big Ten with a 2-6 record. Overall, Juwan Howard’s team is 7-12. Michigan has now dropped seven of their last eight games. This season,
the Wolverines have also lost at home to Long Beach State and McNeese, both mid-majors.
Howard’s stay in Ann Arbor began well. The Wolverines finished 19-12 in his first season in 2019-20, but the NCAA Tournament was canceled because to the Covid-19 pandemic. Michigan then won the Big Ten regular season title in 2020-21 and advanced to the Elite Eight. The following year, Michigan took a step back, finishing 19-15, but still making the Sweet 16. Last year, the squad competed in the NIT and lost in the second round. This season, it appears that Michigan will be left at home totally unless something changes quickly.
It marks a departure from what the program accomplished while Stauskas was in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines competed for the national championship at the end of the 2012-13 season. They then reached the Elite Eight the next year.
