On March 12, Michigan opened its 2021 Big Ten men's basketball tournament play with a 79–66 victory over Maryland in the quarterfinals. Michigan was led by Smith with 18 points and set a Big Ten tournament record with 15 assists, while Wagner and Brooks had 16 points and four rebounds each, and Brown had 10 points. Michigan rallied from a 12-point deficit in the first half, including a 16–2 run to close out the final four minutes of the half, to re-gain the lead they never relinquished. Michigan has won 14 straight tournament openers, the most of any major conference team.
