Eli Brooks dressed, will start in Michigan’s Big Ten Tournament opener vs. Maryland

UPDATE: Eli Brooks will return to the lineup and start for Michigan on Friday morning, per the program.

Original story follows...

Eli Brooks’ availability for the postseason has been the biggest Michigan storyline of the week. It appears that some clarity on his situation has come in the form of Friday’s Big Ten Tournament warmups.

The senior guard, who injured his left ankle in Sunday’s loss to Michigan State, was dressed and participating in warmups ahead of the showdown with Maryland (11:30 a.m. ET, Big Ten Network). He was spotted with a brace on the ankle.

Brooks spent the last several days in a walking boot following the injury, but MnB was informed that he traveled without the boot to Indianapolis. That would suggest he may be ready for game action sooner rather than later.

We will not know if Brooks plays or not until game time, but this has to be a relief to everyone involved. Michigan has not looked well without their defensive stopper on the floor and this may help to ease concerns of a March without him.

We will have more on the story as it develops, but Brooks’ return to the lineup appears to be coming as early as Friday.