following a disappointing 15–17 season in 2009–10, the wolverines bounced back to return to the ncaa tournament in 2011, advancing to the round of 32 before losing to top-seeded duke, 73–71. the 2010–11 wolverines, who swept rival michigan state for the first time since 1997, finished the season 21–14. in the 2011–12 season, michigan split the season series with both ohio state and michigan state and went on to be co-big ten champs along with the buckeyes and spartans. it was the program's first big ten title since 1986. the wolverines finished the season 24–10 and 13–5 in conference play, losing in the opening round of the ncaa tournament.