The 2020–21 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team represented the University of Michigan during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. This season marked the program's 105th season and its 104th consecutive year as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Wolverines, led by second-year head coach Juwan Howard, played their home games for the 54th consecutive year at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Wolverines finished the season with a 23–5 record, including a 14–3 conference record, to win its first Big Ten championship since 2014. The team earned a one seed in the 2021 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, where they reached the Elite Eight before losing to UCLA.
Previous season
The Wolverines finished the 2019–20 season 19–12, including 10–10 in Big Ten play. Michigan was scheduled to face Rutgers in the second round of the Big Ten tournament; however, on March 12, 2020, the Big Ten canceled the tournament. Also on March 12, the NCAA announced the cancellation of the NCAA tournament, along with all remaining winter and spring championships, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Offseason
Departures
Incoming Transfers
Recruiting classes
2020 recruiting class
On October 23, 2018, Michigan received its first class of 2020 commitment from four-star guard Zeb Jackson of Montverde Academy in suburban Orlando, Florida. Jackson had met assistant coach DeAndre Haynes when he was on the Toledo staff. On October 17, 2019, Michigan received its second commitment of the 2020 class and the first commitment of the Juwan Howard era, five-star power forward Isaiah Todd of Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina. Todd was the highest-rated recruit to commit to Michigan since 2000 but Todd ended up decommitting from Michigan on April 14, 2020 to instead play in the NBA G League. Howard then picked up his third commitment of the 2020 class in Hunter Dickinson a four-star Center out of Hyattsville, Maryland. On January 1, 2020, Terrance Williams II, a four-star Forward out of Washington D.C. who de-committed from Georgetown in December 2019, became the fourth commit of the 2020 class. On January 20, Howard picked up his fifth commitment of the 2020 class, his son Jace Howard, a three-star small forward from Miami.
2021 Recruiting class
Roster
Regular season
November
Michigan began the season with a 96–82 victory over Bowling Green. Michigan was led by Chaundee Brown with 19 points, while Isaiah Livers added 17 points and nine rebounds, one rebound shy of a double-double, and Mike Smith added 16 points and eight assists in his Michigan debut. On November 29, Michigan defeated Oakland 81–71 in overtime. Michigan was led by Livers with 22 points, while Hunter Dickinson scored a career-high 19-points.
December
On December 2, Michigan defeated Ball State 84–56. Michigan was led by Livers with a game-high 21 points, his second consecutive 20-plus point game, while Dickinson added 12 points and a season-high 11 rebounds for his first career double-double. On December 6, Michigan defeated UCF 80–58. Michigan was led by Brown with 18 points, while Dickinson added 14 points and seven rebounds, Eli Brooks added 10 points, and Terrance Williams II added a career-high 10 points and six rebounds. Michigan went on a 22–4 run to end the first half to take their first lead of the game, before closing out the game on a 29–5 run in the second half. Michigan was scheduled to face NC State in the ACC–Big Ten Challenge on December 9, however, the game was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the Wolfpack program. It was announced Michigan would then host Toledo for the first time since 1983. Michigan defeated Toledo 91–71. Michigan was led by Dickinson with a game-high 18 points and seven rebounds, while Livers added 16 points, Franz Wagner added 14 points, and Austin Davis and Brooks added 12 points each. On December 13, Michigan defeated Penn State 62–58 in its Big Ten Conference season opener. Michigan was led by Dickinson with a career-high 20 points, while Brooks added 12 points and Livers added 10 points. On December 25, Michigan defeated Nebraska 80–69. Michigan was led by Wagner with 20 points and nine rebounds, one rebound shy of a double-double, while Livers added 17 points, Dickinson added 13 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, for his second career double-double, Brown added 13 points and Smith added 10 points. On December 31, Michigan defeated Maryland 84–73. Michigan was led by Dickinson with a career-high 26 points and 11 rebounds, for his third career double-double, while Wagner added 19 points and Smith tied a season-high with 16 points.