Former Player Nik Stauskas Sounds Off on Michigan Basketball After Embarrassing Loss

Nik Stauskas, who played at Michigan under John Beilein from 2012-14, was furious following the Wolverines' blowout loss to Purdue Tuesday. He says players now have "no respect or understanding of what it means to put on that M."

Former Michigan standout Nik Stauskas isn't too pleased with the product his alma mater is putting on the floor. The ex-Wolverine put the program on blast Tuesday night, following a 99-67 loss to Purdue in West Lafayette.

Stauskas, who played at Michigan under John Beilein from 2012-14, took to social media to voice his frustrations. He seems most upset by the lack of passion the players have while wearing the maize-and-blue jersey.

“These kids have no respect or understanding of what it means to put on that M,” Stauskas wrote. “Haven’t felt any kind of passion or love for the game from Michigan basketball in years.”

Following Michigan's 32-point loss to Purdue, the Wolverines now sit at the bottom of the Big Ten with a 2-6 record. Overall, Juwan Howard's team is 7-12.

Michigan has now lost seven of its last eight games. The Wolverines have also dropped home games to Long Beach State and McNeese this season — both mid-major programs.

Howard's tenure in Ann Arbor started off well. The Wolverines went 19-12 in his first year in 2019-20, but the NCAA Tournament was canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Michigan then won a Big Ten regular season title in 2020-21 and reached the Elite Eight.

The following year, Michigan took a step back, closing the year with a 19-15 record, but still reached the Sweet 16. Last year, the team played in the NIT and was defeated in the second round.

This season, it looks like Michigan may be left at home entirely unless something changes rapidly.

It's a change of pace from what the program accomplished while Stauskas was in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines played in the national championship at the end of the 2012-13 season. They then reached the Elite Eight the following year.

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