Michigan Wolverines fall in first round of Big Ten tournament in Juwan Howard's return to sidelines

INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan coach Juwan Howard called his return to the team this week an «emotional ride,» following his first game back on the sidelines Thursday after serving a five-game suspension.

But his return to coaching lasted shorter than he anticipated.

The Wolverines led by 17 points with less than 13 minutes to play before Indiana stormed back to capture a 74-69 victory in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament on Thursday.

«You could see in the first half, we came out with a lot of energy, we got our coach back,» Michigan guard DeVante Jones, who led the team with 18 points, said after the game. «I'm mad that we didn't get the W for him.»

Indiana outscored Michigan 31-9 over the 12:52 of the game and snapped a nine-game losing streak against its conference rival. The 17-point comeback is the second largest in Big Ten tournament history.

Howard resumed his role as coach Monday, meeting with players individually first before leading his team back at practice Tuesday. He apologized during an emotional news conference Wednesday in Ann Arbor for striking a Wisconsin head coach in the head during a heated handshake line last month, which led to his suspension.

Howard assumed his role on the sidelines for the first time since Feb. 20, when following a loss to Wisconsin, he struck assistant Joe Krabbenhoft's head after a heated exchange in the handshake line postgame. Howard said after the game that night that he felt like he was protecting himself, but he also apologized for his conduct in that postgame press conference. Howard said he is seeking therapy in a move agreed upon with the school.

«Did I get sleep last night? No,» Howard said following Thursday's game. «But I love teaching, I love coaching, I love