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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan got revenge on in-state rival Michigan State on Saturday, as the host Wolverines never trailed the Spartans, en route to a 77-68 victory.
In many ways, it was something of an inverse of what the game in East Lansing was — as Michigan never led in that one. The maize and blue came out hungry, hitting threes at a 39.3% clip, diving to the floor for loose balls, and out-rebounding MSU, 46-40.
After the game, as expected, head coach Juwan Howard was quite pleased with his team’s performance and how well the Wolverines managed, especially with Isaiah Livers coming back into the lineup.
Watch the entire press conference above or read the full transcript below.
Energy and effort
“Yes, I think our team (did) a really good job of being ready for a really tough opponent. Yes, it’s been stated that it’s a rivalry game. Our guys understood how important this game meant to not only to the team but also to the Michigan fans. I love the fact that our disposition, we were ready from start to finish. How we got it done was our defense.”
Isaiah Livers’ intensity
“Well it was good Isaiah was happy today. He felt good, so we wanted to give him a go because we just felt that he told us health-wise, Alex told us he would be good to go today. I was proud of the fact that how he came out and competed. There was some possessions out there where it was tough for us to score and Zay came up big. made some clutch shots. Defensively, he was very active on the defensive end. His length, protecting the basket — it was good, there were opportunities to be had where we switched ball screens and he was able to keep a man in front of him. Isaiah’s a talent, it’s that simple. We missed him a lot. We missed having another guy like Zay who can not only make shots, but also a guy that has a high basketball IQ that knows how to make plays.”
Transition defense
“Yes, it was very disappointing how our transition defense failed us last time we played Michigan State. As I recall, we gave up 21 points in transition because we were not good at communicating. There were times where we had two guys to the ball and left some of the shooters open. There were times where we were jogging back and they were able to throw it ahead for layups. It was a big emphasis on me as well as my staff on taking away some of the transition buckets. Because Michigan State does a really good job of, not only on makes, but also on misses of getting the ball ahead, the pitch ahead. Layups or threes. So in the first half, they had four transition points and in the second-half, they had two. So that was a big key for us, big point of emphasis — getting back to make their transition points.”
Eli Brooks on Cassius Winston
“Yes sir, he did a very good job defensively on Cassius. I knew last game, Cassius was very comfortable. We saw the amount of points that he scored last game. Went back and watched film of our last game that we played them. I just wanted to give him a different look. I knew Eli, by the way of how defensively he’s a very disciplined player, very technical, not gonna make many mistakes. I thought he did a really good job of staying in front of Cassius. Making every catch tough for him as well as every shot, challenging every shot without fouling. There was one shot where we did foul him on the three point line and he had three free throws. That’s unacceptable. But I like the fact of how we responded from there.”
First win vs. MSU as head coach
“It’s never about me, it’s all about this team. I’m just real proud of the fact that our guys responded and got a victory. They did it, the players did it. They came out and played the game. They played hard, they played great defensively. They respected the game plan, they trusted the game plan. They didn’t make too many mental mistakes. They were totally locked in from start to finish.”
3-point shooting, Zavier Simpson
“That helped big time. Because like I stated earlier, there was nothing I was doing. It was all about the players. Zavier made some tough shots, but he was open. Those are shots that he’s practiced. Those are shots that he’s come in on off days (to) shoot. It’s good to see that during the game he was confident. I want him as well as his other teammates when they’re open to don’t be afraid to take the open shot. If they miss a shot, my philosophy is, if you get another open one, take the next one. For some, that may be uncomfortable, because, ‘Okay, you’re shooting too many quick shots.’ For me, I enjoy it, I love it.”
Teske’s dunk
“He did a great job of running in transition, sprinting hard. And he saw an opening that I think if I recall Eli threw the lob. He threw it on time, on target. He caught it with one hand. I really enjoy seeing our players not only catch the ball on the offensive end with two hands, but also on the defensive end getting two-handed rebounds. So when he caught it, I was nervous, because I was like, ‘Wow, is it going to go in?’ And the ball creeped in there! And it’s good that when he made it, there was emotion after that play. And yes, it inspired the group, and it inspired the crowd, because it was good to see Jon, everyone look at him like he’s a very quiet player out there on the floor, he doesn’t show much emotion. But he is a guy who is really in-tune into the game. He’s very active. His voice is heard in timeouts, and he’s also emotional as well.”
Defending Aaron Henry
“Aaron, he’s a talent. But it’s good to see they have guys other than Cassius making plays. Cassius, his usage rate with the ball in his hands is really good. And when he has the ball in his hands, something good always happens. But every shot today, whether it was from Cassius or any of his teammates was contested. We always want to get a hand-ball contest.”
Zavier Simpson’s resolve given his week
“X is a gamer. X understands what’s asked of him. He understands his responsibility as a leader of the team, a senior and also a captain. It was no surprise to me that he would be ready to play at a high level.”
Winning the 50/50 balls
“It was definitely a point of emphasis. Loose balls, all the muscle areas. Loose balls, rebounding — they still got too many offensive rebounds, 11. Wasn’t happy with that. Blocking out, that offensive rebound at the free throw line, I was not happy with that. But every player I know is not going to be perfect, but I love the fact that we have been able to respond after making those types of mistakes.”
Isaiah Livers’ offense opening things up
“Well, at the beginning of the season, we saw it where we got off to a really good start. A big reason for that was because of Isaiah. If I recall, Isaiah was shooting 50% from three. He’s averaging 14 points and is also a guy that just knows how to play the game of basketball. Know how to make the right play. And another guy on the defensive end that our opponents have to honor. It was good to see that he came back today, healthier than what he’s been like in the past. With his presence it was truly inspiring just to see how his teammates have rallied behind him.”
Improved defense and Franz Wagner
“Well, it’s been energy and effort. It’s been a key for us. And I’m gonna leave it just like that. That’s been a great adjustment for our group. And then you guys can take it from there.
“And then Franz has been huge. He’s been huge. There was a possession where we were struggling to score. Franz backed down, backed down, got to the middle of the floor, and then got an and-one. And then there was another play where Franz drove to the basket, made a tough finish as he was going away from the basket, which was a big basket for us as well. But Franz, he’s a player. He’s a talent, He’s a confident player. Franz knows I trust him, and I also know he’s gonna make some big plays for us when we need them.”
Black socks
“This is the second time they surprised me with black socks. Because I did not see our guys wearing black socks today. I saw the maize jersey, but I did not see the black socks. When we were in the Bahamas and we played against North Carolina, our players wore black socks and I didn’t see it. And after the game, they told me that they won the game for me and they wore the black socks for me. Wow, that’s special, man. They’re just a fun group. I’m so lucky to have the high character guys that are all about giving to, not just themselves, but giving to the team. It says a lot about the group and how unselfish they are.”
Instilling the game plan over the year
“Actually, it’s been fun. Some would say, ‘You’re probably BS-ing me right now by saying it’s fun.’ No, it has. It’s allowed me to grow as a coach. Game plan definitely changes by your opponent. And when you see your opponent one time, then of course there’s some adjustments that you have to make to see what gives your team the best chance to win. I have an amazing staff, I don’t do it just by myself. The coaching staff, for example, they all have different teams that they work on as a scout. I empower the staff, whoever is the scout for that game, they also act as a head coach, because they’ve seen enough of the opponent, meaning Michigan State, and they’ve watched many games. Then we sit down, we talk about the game plan. There are moments when we have to come together and come to make a final decision as a group and be comfortable with that decision. There are times when we may have some uncomfortable conversations, but that’s a part of the process. As a coach, at the end of the day, I have to make the final decision that I feel that I trust. And, when we make the decision, we make it as a team, as a group.”
Who had the scout team?
“Saddi Washington.”
The Big Ten parity and how it helps in March
“I’ll first start with this: I’m not looking ahead. I look at it game by game. So I’m gonna enjoy this victory right now, and then tomorrow, I’m gonna start focusing on Northwestern. But, it’s a very competitive conference. You look at it, home teams have been good throughout the season so far through the Big Ten. When you play a road game, it’s always a dogfight. But regardless, game-by-game in the Big Ten is super competitive. A lot of good teams. At one point, we saw it where we were one of the better teams and we had a good record. Ohio State was up there as well. And now a month later, you see the two of us down there at the bottom. We can only control what we can control and that’s us. So we will continue to keep playing, keep growing and hopefully we will have some good health on our side.”
Jon Teske’s effort
“Well, it’s never effort with Jon, because Jon brings the effort — he brings the effort for 40 minutes. Well, he didn’t play 40 minutes, but all the minutes that he’s out there, he’s giving energy and effort. And we need Jon. Jon knows it. It’s not about Jon Teske, it’s about the team. Every minute he’s giving us out there with the production he’s giving out there, as a staff, and also as a head coach, I’ve been pleased with Jon.”