One of the first encouraging signs came midway through the first half in Michigan’s first game at the Big Ten tournament.

That’s when big man Danny Wolf and point guard Tre Donaldson ran pick-and-roll action from the top of the key. Wolf got the ball, shot-faked, drew two Purdue defenders and threw a pass over to Donaldson for a deep 3-pointer.

Donaldson’s reaction said it all.

“Tre hit that first 3, I just saw a big smile on his face, and I knew he was going to keep going,” Wolf said after Friday’s 86-68 win over Purdue, the first of three victories on the way to capturing the conference tournament title.

“I saw more smiles from my teammates than I’ve seen in a while, which is awesome.”

Things didn’t just look different for the Wolverines, who had limped into the postseason on a three-game skid. Things felt different before they ever stepped on the Gainbridge Fieldhouse court.

During the four-day gap between Michigan’s regular-season finale and Big Ten tournament opener, the team had two of its best practices in months.