The Wolverines, led by second-year head coach Juwan Howard, played their home games for the 54th consecutive year at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The team earned a one seed in the 2021 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, where they reached the Elite Eight before losing to UCLA.

[2] On October 23, 2018, Michigan received its first class of 2020 commitment from four-star guard Zeb Jackson of Montverde Academy in suburban Orlando, Florida.

[4] On October 17, 2019, Michigan received its second commitment of the 2020 class and the first commitment of the Juwan Howard era, five-star power forward Isaiah Todd of Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Howard then picked up his third commitment of the 2020 class in Hunter Dickinson a four-star Center out of Hyattsville, Maryland.

[5] On January 1, 2020, Terrance Williams II, a four-star Forward out of Washington D.C. who de-committed from Georgetown in December 2019, became the fourth commit of the 2020 class.

[14][15] Michigan was scheduled to face NC State in the ACC–Big Ten Challenge on December 9, however, the game was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the Wolfpack program.

[18][19] On December 13, Michigan defeated Penn State 62–58 in its Big Ten Conference season opener.

Michigan's blowout win included a 43–6 run that gave the Wolverines a 69–29 lead with 10:23 left in the game.

Michigan became the first team in NCAA history to win three consecutive games against ranked opponents by 19 points or more.

Michigan was led by Brown with 14 points in his first start, replacing an injured Brooks, while Smith added a career-high 10 assists.

Michigan's defense held Purdue to a season-low 53 points and a 30.8 percent shooting, as the Boilermakers suffered their first home loss of the season.

Michigan rallied from a 14-point deficit, including an 8–0 run to close out the final two minutes of the game to complete the comeback victory.

This game marked the first time in the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State when both teams were ranked in the top five nationally.

[48][49] On March 12, Michigan opened its 2021 Big Ten men's basketball tournament play with a 79–66 victory over Maryland in the quarterfinals.

[50] The next day Michigan lost to (#9/#10) Ohio State 67–68 in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament.

Michigan rallied from a 13-point deficit in the second half, including a 11–0 run in the final four minutes of the game, however, their comeback attempt came up short.

[51][52] On March 20, Michigan began their participation in the 2021 NCAA tournament with an 82–66 victory over Texas Southern in the first round.

LSU began the second half with a 9–2 run and regained a six-point lead, 51–45, four minutes into the second period.

With the win, the Wolverines advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth consecutive year, the second-longest active streak, behind Gonzaga with six.

Michigan's defense held the Seminoles to under 60 points for the first time this season, and forced 14 turnovers.