It wasn’t the season Michigan basketball had in mind, nor was it the season Duke transfer Joey Baker thought the Wolverines would have when he decided to transfer to Ann Arbor.
The Wolverines finished the regular season losing back-to-back games to Illinois and Indiana. However, Michigan had a chance to still make the NCAA Tournament if it beat Rutgers in the Big Ten Tournament. Unfortunately, the maize and blue couldn’t throw a ball into the ocean in the second half and made just four shots in the final 20 minutes.
Michigan accepted an invitation to play in the NIT where the No. 3 seeded Wolverines took down Toledo, 90-80 on Tuesday evening.
Freshman Jett Howard was sidelined due to an ankle injury and graduate transfer Baker started in his place and shined. Baker scored 21 points while draining five 3-pointers.
Baker transferred to Michigan after spending his first four years playing at Duke. But after the game, Baker was asked by the media if there were any possibility he would apply for a sixth year of eligibility and if he was granted so, would he come back to Michigan.
We’ll see what happens,” said Baker on if he would apply for a sixth-year.“Potentially.”
“Absolutely,” he said on if he would come back to Michigan. “If I got it, I’m back here.”
Juwan Howard, of course, was asked about Baker potentially coming back next season. Howard would welcome Baker back with open arms and told the media the Wolverines would attempt to bring the veteran back.
“There’s also a few other hurdles that we have to dive deep into,” Howard admitted. “Hopefully, you know, we’re gonna try hard. We’re gonna give it our best shot and we would love to have him back. Not just because of the shooting, but just overall the person and he just fits in the locker room.”
If the Wolverines could bring Baker back, that would be a huge boost for next season. Michigan is also hoping to get Hunter Dickinson, Jett Howard, and Kobe Bufkin all back for next season as well. All three players have been linked to the NBA.
Baker and the Wolverines will play against the No. 2 seed Vanderbilt on Saturday at Noon ET.
