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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan lost a heartbreaker at home at the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers, who kept up its hot shooting from deep.
Michigan had no answers defensively, so despite clawing back into the game multiple times, the Wolverines still lost, 81-74.
After the game, head coach Juwan Howard broke down the loss, sharing his disappointment and what went wrong.
Watch the entire postgame press conference or read the full transcript below.
Thoughts on Michigan’s perimeter defense
“We did a very bad job of defending on the perimeter. But, overall, our defense did not get it done for us. Huge letdown on the entire team of how we were defending. Poor job from me on preparing our guys. I’ll take it. I own it. I didn’t prepare them well enough.”
Eli Brooks’ absence affecting the defense
“Huge. He’s our anchor. Yes, Zavier — John Wooden finalist as one of the best defensive players this year. Did a really good job this season. But I’m surprised that Eli was not mentioned as one of the best defensive players this season, because he’s been our anchor of our defense. And, with his presence, we saw how we missed his activity, we missed his energy, being able to guard guys. Attention to detail when it comes to the scouting report. That guy is an Army Swiss Knife. And today, we not only missed him on the defensive end, but we missed him offensively, being able to just keep our offense running at a nice, smooth pace.”
Small lineup late
“I was searching for answers and I thought that would give us a better opportunity, how they were basically carving us up when we had Jon in the game, we had Austin in the game, and they were able to get anything they want. I’m not saying it was just based on just those bigs. Everyone didn’t do a good job defensively. So just looking for answers. And I knew Brandon, playing him at the five, defensively that could of course try to take away some of their triggers.”
When did the game get away?
“I would say we didn’t do a good job of doing the three-point line. I would also say it got away from us when the ball did not go down in the basket. The next thing, which was on the defensive side, it was more like a compound mistake where we put our heads down and we forgot we had to get a stop on the other end. I didn’t like our defensive disposition all game.”
Wisconsin limiting Livers
“Well, defensively, you’ve gotta give them credit. They were very active. But, offensively for us, we were still able to shoot 51% from the field. Threes — we only got up 10 threes. Normally we shoot more than that. It was more than just Livers getting — he got 10 shots, but it was just more. Zavier, he had a good game. Tough finishes in the paint, putting pressure on the basket. Franz was making some good drives to the basket. So, with our team, some nights it’s gonna be Franz. Some nights it’s gonna be Zavier. Some nights it’s gonna be Isaiah. We just have a very unselfish group.”
D’Mitrik Trice’s big night for Wisconsin
“Ah, he played great. He hit some tough shots, and some that were contested. But he was in a good groove all game, and it started in the first-half when in the first five minutes, he was extremely comfortable, because we had some miscommunication on some assignments defensively. Didn’t talk enough out there on the screens. We got caught into the switching game. It was more like a lazy defense instead of a team that was more active and playing with more fire, being more elusive out there on the court.”
Starting lineup with Johns in
“I wanted to make sure I did not have David and Zavier in there at the same time starting because they’re our two primary ballhandlers. If both get one quick foul, then we’re in trouble. So I tried to do my best to balance out there, stagger it some type of way so I could keep, if anyone got into foul trouble, I could have one of our guys quarterback our team and lead us and get us organized offensively.”
Simpson’s big game a bright spot?
“We lost.”
Big Ten
“We don’t have any time to make excuses nor do we have time to put our heads down. We’re right back at it on Sunday vs. Ohio State. So we will regroup tomorrow, watch film, figure out how we can get better. We know that we have a lot of season to play. We’re looking forward to getting out there and redeeming this loss — especially at home. Yeah, we do not want to lose at home or on the road, but to not come into our building, do our job or play with the energy or effort that our crowd was looking forward to seeing was very disappointing.”
Could Eli miss more time?
“I don’t know, I’ll find out tomorrow. I’m always concerned. I’m pretty sure I’m not gonna get any sleep tonight. I didn’t get any sleep last night. I was concerned, not only for Eli, but I was also concerned about Wisconsin and how well they shoot the ball from outside. And I was right — 11 for 23.”
Was it just the broken nose?
(Shakes head yes.)
How tough it was to battle back and still lose on missed free throws
“Yeah, that was rough. That was hard to see. But our guys were up there and I trusted that it was gonna go in. Ball didn’t bounce in so we had to go down and get a stop. It’s gonna be a rough night not only for myself but the players, too, because we knew we had a chance on the — competing from being down 10 points at the half and having to expend a lot of energy in the second-half, trying to fight back to get in it. And we made a run, they made a run. And then, at the end of the game, we cut it to three. And then, for a chance to tie the ballgame up, but we didn’t get up there and knock them down, unfortunately. So, we’ll be back in practice, working on our free throws, like always.”
Was Wisconsin living with Zavier’s inside shots instead of letting up threes?
“No, I don’t think they were trying to live with Zavier going to the basket, because they had, not only a guard trying to get his chest back in front of the ball, but their big was there in front of him, as well as he had to honor our big rolling to the basket. So, he was in a tough spot, but Zavier took advantage of what the defense gave him.”
Mental block on late game free throws?
“No matter what, late game or throughout the game, yes, I know we’re not always gonna shoot 100% from the free throw line. But we had a chance, when we go up to the line, as much as we attack the basket, it’s our job to go out there and finish it by knocking our free throws down. Unfortunately, it didn’t go in.”
Is Eli still in pain or was it precautionary, holding him out?
“Well, how it was explained to me was he wasn’t feeling well to go tonight — today. So we kept him out.”
Will he wear a mask?
“I’m sure that’s gonna be a part of the plan.”