Michigan was dealt a heavy blow to its tournament hopes by Indiana in the second half. (1:45)
After serving a five-game suspension, Michigan coach Juwan Howard called his return to the team this week an emotional ride.
He expected his return to coaching to last longer.
The Hoosiers overcame a 17 point deficit with less than 13 minutes to play to win the Big Ten tournament opener.
Michigan guard DeVante Jones, who led the team with 18 points, said after the game that they came out with a lot of energy.
The Hoosiers snapped a nine-game losing streak against Michigan by scoring 31-9 in the last 12 minutes of the game. The 17-point comeback is the second largest in Big Ten tournament history.
Howard met with his players individually before leading his team back to practice Tuesday. He apologized during an emotional news conference in Ann arbor for hitting a Wisconsin coach in the head during a heated handshake line last month.
Howard was on the sideline for the first time in over a month after hitting an assistant coach in the head following a loss to Wisconsin. Howard apologized for his conduct in the postgame news conference, but he also said that he felt like he was protecting himself. Howard said that he is going to seek therapy with the school.
Did I sleep last night? Howard said after the Thursday game that he loves teaching, coaching, and being with his guys, but he misses being with his guys.
The large contingent of Hoosiers fans who booed Howard from the opening introductions and each time his name popped up on the video board may not have reached the fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The UM players were yelling and screaming in the locker room before they took the court. The security attendant at Gainbridge Fieldhouse said that it was the loudest locker room they had ever heard before a game.
Michigan center Hunter Dickinson said they were happy to have their leader back.
Michigan was on the bubble of the NCAA tournament before this game and now finishes the season 17-14, including the Thursday loss, with an 11-10 mark in the Big Ten, as the team waits to hear its fate Sunday.
Howard said he would wait on Sunday with his players and see where the chips fall. The Michigan family has been together.
We don't use the word "loosely" when talking about family. Our family was challenged throughout the year, but we have been able to stay connected through those times.
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