Michigan Wolverines defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is one week away from fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming an NFL player during the draft, but he will be taking the mound first.

Michigan men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard spoke to the media Wednesday (March 9) for the first time since serving his five-game suspension.

Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard has been suspended for the final five games of the regular season after he struck a Wisconsin coach in the head following his team’s loss to the Badgers this weekend.

The Georgia Bulldogs shattered the glass slipper of the Michigan Wolverines Cinderella season with a 34-11 demolition on New Year’s Eve in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl inside Hard Rock Stadium.

A matchup between Michigan and Michigan State always has special meaning within the state.

Ninth-ranked Michigan looks to keep its roll going with a defense yet to give up more than 17 points and the confidence it can achieve championship goals after falling short in previous seasons under Jim Harbaugh.

College football fans can squabble about the strength of this year’s Wisconsin team all they want, but that won’t change the fact that Michigan just earned perhaps the most impressive win of the Jim Harbaugh era.

Michigan football survived its first four games without much of a passing attack, but that plan will have to change if the Wolverines hope to move the ball against Wisconsin.

After a home loss in its opening game, No. 18 Wisconsin will look for redemption when it welcomes Eastern Michigan into Madison on Saturday.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Three members of Michigan basketball’s top-ranked 2021 recruiting class have been named to the McDonald’s All American team. #WhereHypeMeetsLegacy pic.twitter.com/WsGMtGKNVv — McDonald's All American Games (@McDAAG) February 23, 2021Houstan, a five-star forward who committed to Juwan Howard’s team in October, is the No. The 6-foot-10 power forward is ranked 18th in the 2021 class and had a long list of offers, including Kentucky, Florida State and Arizona. He was one of only a handful of four-star recruits to earn McDonald’s All American honors. Howard’s 2021 class also includes four-star guard Frankie Collins, four-star forward Isaiah Barnes and three-star forward Will Tschetter.

Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a three point shot during the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on February 14, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. Take Michigan State, for example. When it returned, Michigan State scored just 37 points and lost to that same Rutgers team by 30. Would Michigan State have lost to Rutgers even if there hadn’t been a shutdown? 4 Ohio State, Indiana and Michigan State.

Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines runs down the court after scoring during the second half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Crisler Arena on January 12, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan basketball freshman Hunter Dickinson is among 20 players included on the top 20 late season Wooden Award watch list. Dickinson is averaging 15.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 68.8% from the floor. AdRyan Rollins #5 of the Toledo Rockets tries to get a shot off around Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Crisler Arena on December 09, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here’s the full Wooden Award late season top 20:

7 Michigan raced to a 17-3 lead, and the Wolverines had little difficulty beating Maryland 87-63 on Tuesday night. Michigan led 42-25 at halftime and stretched its advantage to as many as 25 points in the second. Livers led Michigan with 20 points and Franz Wagner contributed 15. Michigan: The Wolverines made their loss to Minnesota look like just a bump in the road, putting Maryland in a big hole early and not letting up. Michigan: The Wolverines play at Purdue on Friday night.

9 Wisconsin on Tuesday night, Michigan became the first team in college basketball history to stack such a dominant trio of ranked blowouts. 19 Northwestern, which came into the matchup after victories against Michigan State, Indiana and Ohio State and a close road loss to Iowa. 4 Iowa and beaten Michigan State and Ohio State by a combined 42 points. 9 team in the country and a proven contender atop the Big Ten, came in sporting victories over Michigan State, Minnesota and Iowa. Saturday will bring a different kind of test, as Michigan hits the road against a ranked team for the first time this season.

Micah Potter scored 20 points and Aleem Ford added 12 to lead the Badgers an 85-48 non-conference victory over short-handed No. Louisville (4-1), playing its first road game, originally had been scheduled to play at Wisconsin on Dec. 9. Trevor Anderson added 11 points and Brad Davison 10 for Wisconsin (6-1), which rolled to a 44-18 halftime lead. “Obviously really pleased with the way we played,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. Wisconsin finished the half 10 of 17 beyond the arc, including three each by Trice and Davison.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football is looking to get back on track after a difficult couple of weeks, but nobody really knows know what to expect from this Wisconsin team. Graham Mertz #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers calls out instructions in the fourth quarter against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. After Mertz’s positive test was announced, more than a dozen other Wisconsin players tested positive and were forced to sit out. It’s unclear which players are still ineligible for the Michigan game. If the COVID-19 outbreak is still affecting Wisconsin, Michigan could have a chance.

The Wisconsin vs. Nebraska football game this weekend has been canceled as cases of COVID-19 continue to spread throughout the Badgers program. COVID-19 has been a hot topic in Madison as star quarterback Graham Mertz had his positive test confirmed on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the university announced the team will pause all team activities for at least seven days because of the outbreak. “This morning, I received the news that I had tested positive via a PCR test I took yesterday,” Chryst said. Wisconsin-Nebraska is the first Big Ten game to be canceled this year, but with COVID-19 cases continuing to spike around the Midwest, it will certainly be difficult to avoid further interruptions to the shortened season.

Quinten Dormady #12 of the Central Michigan Chippewas hands the ball off to Jonathan Ward #5 in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Quinten Dormady #12 of the Central Michigan Chippewas hands the ball off to Jonathan Ward #5 in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Danny Davis III #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers is brought down by Josiah Scott #22 and Antjuan Simmons #34 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Camp Randall Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by StacyMADISON, Wis. - Jonathan Taylor rushed for two touchdowns, Wisconsin's defense posted its fourth shutout of the season and the No. 8 Badgers cruised to a 38-0 win over Michigan State on Saturday. But Michigan State was held to 149 yards, 30 rushing, and couldn't find any rhythm as the Badgers dominated time of possession 39:10 to 20:50. Michigan State lost at then-No.

- Wisconsin will continue its perfect season after defeating the Michigan State Spartans 38-0 Saturday. ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten)The Spartans' defense has been solid, but the offense has been up and down, ranking 10th in the Big Ten in scoring at 27.8 points per game. Michigan State P Jake Hartbarger is averaging a Big Ten-best 47.6 yards per punt, which also ranks seventh in the FBS. The Badgers are the only FBS team that has not trailed in a game this season. PREDICTION: Wisconsin 35, Michigan State 20More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

8 Wisconsin looks to stay perfect on the season when it hosts Michigan State on Saturday in a Big Ten Conference matchup. ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten)The Spartans' defense has been solid, but the offense has been up and down, ranking 10th in the Big Ten in scoring at 27.8 points per game. Michigan State P Jake Hartbarger is averaging a Big Ten-best 47.6 yards per punt, which also ranks seventh in the FBS. The Badgers are the only FBS team that has not trailed in a game this season. PREDICTION: Wisconsin 35, Michigan State 20More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Quinten Dormady #12 of the Central Michigan Chippewas hands the ball off to Jonathan Ward #5 in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Quinten Dormady #12 of the Central Michigan Chippewas hands the ball off to Jonathan Ward #5 in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

20 Michigan to rout Rutgers 52-0 on Saturday. The Wolverines (3-1, 1-1 Big Ten) enjoyed a confidence-boosting win following a humiliating loss at Wisconsin. The Scarlet Knights (1-3, 0-2) have not won a conference game since the 2017 season and have to improve a lot to end the drought this year. The Scarlet Knights were called for a false start twice before punting late in the third. Ash has not led the Scarlet Knights to a Big Ten victory since beating Maryland on Nov. 4, 2017.

Quinten Dormady #12 of the Central Michigan Chippewas hands the ball off to Jonathan Ward #5 in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to pass during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR - Despite starting the season with two wins, Michigan's loss at Wisconsin was a devastating blow to the team and its fan base. The team released a video on Twitter today with the caption "We're back to work. #GoBlue," which shows replays of the team's mistakes in Madison and features interviews with senior players Jordan Glasgow, Khaleke Hudson and Michael Onwenu. Hudson, a senior linebacker, said Wisconsin surprised them with a strong offense, something that his team should learn from.

U-M, Harbaugh at possible crossroadsFair or not, there were sky-high expectations of conference titles and competing for national championships among the Michigan fan base when Jim Harbaugh was hired in 2014 to lead his alma mater. The first four years produced lots of wins, but no titles and no appearances in the Big Ten championship game. No shame in celebrating this Lions winFor the second straight game, the Lions played an undermanned opponent beset by injuries. For the second straight game, the Lions took advantage by beating that opponent, which in itself is an achievement. Fewer yards, more points for Michigan StateIn a loss to Arizona State, Michigan State had 404 yards of total offense and seven points.

With what appears to be a clear loss to Ohio State later this season, Michigan is already safely out of the College Football Playoff picture. Would it be shocking to see Michigan lose to Iowa, Michigan State and Penn State? Other than Rutgers and Illinois, nothing looks easy for this Michigan team. Harbaugh was as qualified as anyone to take over and turn the Michigan football program around. But if this year, of all years, comes up well short of a conference title, then it's fair to wonder when it will ever happen for the Michigan football program.

Wisconsin has been an offensive juggernaut so far this season, scoring 110 points against South Florida and Central Michigan. Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. Michigan has faced a nonexistent passing attack in Army and a weak offense in Middle Tennessee State this season. Kell Walker #5 of the Army Black Knights is tackled by Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines and Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Michigan Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Wisconsin game is an opportunity to get back on track and the offense isn't the only unit with something to prove.

Drew Eckels #4 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers throws a pass in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers tries to outrun the tackle of Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 16 Wisconsin looks to build on its impressive Week 1 win when it hosts Central Michigan on Saturday. ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN (1-0)Graduate transfer Quinten Dormady completed 27-of-37 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns against FCS outfit Albany to snap the Chippewas' eight-game losing streak. Taylor tops all active FBS players with a career average of 154.5 rushing yards per game. PREDICTION: Wisconsin 42, Central Michigan 13More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Sheriron Jones #4 of the New Mexico Lobos drops back to pass during the first half of a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Drew Eckels #4 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers throws a pass in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)