2021–22 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility for all winter sport athletes.[1] Despite this, seniors Rico Ozuna-Harrison, C. J. Baird, Luke Wilson and Austin Davis announced they would not return to Michigan.[2] On April 7, 2021, Mike Smith declared for the 2021 NBA draft.[3] On April 10, Chaundee Brown declared for the NBA draft with the intention of hiring an agent.[4] On April 16, Isaiah Livers declared for the NBA draft.[5] On May 4, Franz Wagner declared for the draft.[6]

On June 24, 2020, Michigan received its first class of 2021 commitment from four-star small forward Isaiah Barnes.[7] On July 6, Michigan received its second commitment of the 2021 class, three-star forward Will Tschetter.[8] On July 10, Michigan received its third commitment of the 2021 class, four-star shooting guard Kobe Bufkin. He was ranked No. 63 overall and No. 12 shooting guard. Bufkin became the first in-state prospect to commit to Michigan under head coach Juwan Howard.[9] On August 19, Michigan received its fourth commitment of the 2021 class, four-star point guard Frankie Collins. He was ranked the nation's No. 57 prospect and No. 9 point guard.[10] On October 30, Michigan received its fifth commitment of the 2021 class, five-star forward Caleb Houstan. He was ranked ranked the No. 8 overall prospect in the nation, and No. 2 power forward, becoming Michigan's highest-rated recruit in the 247Sports era.[11] On November 9, Michigan received its sixth commitment of the 2021 class, five-star power forward Moussa Diabaté. He was ranked the No. 20 overall prospect in the nation and No. 6 power forward.[12] Michigan's recruiting class was the top-ranked class in the nation.[13]

Michigan began the season on November 10 with an 88–76 victory over the Buffalo Bulls, winning their 19th consecutive season opener. Michigan was led by Hunter Dickinson with 27 points, his sixth career game with 20 or more points, while Terrance Williams II added a career-high 15 points and seven rebounds.[14][15] On November 13, Michigan defeeated Prairie View A&M 77–49. Michigan was led by Eli Brooks with 15 points, while Caleb Houstan added 13 points, and Dickinson added 11 points, including his first career three-pointer, and 10 rebounds, for his seventh career double-double.[16][17] On November 16, Michigan was upset by Seton Hall 65–67 in the Gavitt Tipoff Games. Michigan was led by Dickinson with a game-high 18 points, and nine rebounds, while Brooks added 17 points, six rebounds and four assists, and DeVante' Jones recorded his 13th career double-double with 11 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. Williams drew a foul with 0.8 seconds remaining and had a chance to tie the game, however, he missed the first foul shot.[18][19] On November 20, Michigan defeated UNLV 74–61 in the Roman Main Event semifinals. Michigan was led by Brooks with a game-high 22 points, his sixth career game with 20 or more points, while Moussa Diabaté added 14 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal off the bench, and Dickinson added 13 points and seven rebounds.[20][21] On November 21 Michigan lost to Arizona 62–80 in the Roman Main Event championship game. Michigan was led by Brooks with 14 points, while Dickinson added 11 points and a team-best seven rebounds.[22][23] On November 24, Michigan defeated Tarleton State 65–54. Michigan was led by Brooks with 15 points, while Diabate added 14 points and seven rebounds, Houstan added 14 points and a career-high 10 rebounds for his first career double-double, and Dickinson added nine points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and three assists, one point shy of a double-double.[24]

On December 1, Michigan lost to North Carolina 51–72 in the ACC–Big Ten Challenge. Michigan was led by Diabaté with 13 points in his first collegiate start, while Brooks added 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Houstan added eight points, and a team-high seven rebounds.[25][26] On December 4, Michigan defeated San Diego State 72–58. Michigan was led by Dickinson with a game-high 23 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block for his eighth career double-double, while Houstan added a career-high 17 points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist, Brooks posted his eighth consecutive game in double figures with 10 points, and added four rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block, and Frankie Collins came off the bench and added a career-high eight points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal.[27][28] On December 7, Michigan defeated Nebraska 102–67 in its Big Ten Conference season opener. Michigan was led by Williams with a career-high 22 points, while Johns tied a career-high with 20 points, Houstan added 16 points, Dickinson added 15 points and 12 rebounds for his ninth career double-double, and Brooks added 10 points. Michigan scored over 100 points for the first time since December 6, 2019. The Wolverines made 15 three-pointers, the most since November 17, 2018, when they also made 15 against George Washington.[29][30] On December 11, Michigan lost to Minnesota 65–75. Michigan was led by Dickinson with 19 points and 10 rebounds, for his third consecutive double-double, while Jones added a season-high 14 points, Brooks added 12 points, his tenth consecutive game in double figures, andd Diabate added seven points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.[31][32]