[jwplayer BxrJhjw9-XNcErKyb]
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan will have a tough task staying on the winning side of things on Thursday, when the Wolverines host their penultimate home game of the 2019-20 season vs. the Wisconsin Badgers.
Michigan basketball head coach Juwan Howard met with the media on Wednesday afternoon, discussing everything from the Badgers three-point shooting prowess, Eli Brooks’ health status and much more.
Watch the entire press conference above or read the full transcript below.
David DeJulius, Brandon Johns and Colin Castleton’s emergence
“David has been great in practice from the time back in September. I recall how active he was communicating with the guys, just saying all the right stuff about holding guys accountable when we were lacking energy in practice one day. It was great to hear from a young guy who’s a sophomore — seeing the growth. I empowered it, I welcome it, because all it’s gonna do is help prepare him as a guy that’s in this position, being a point guard, being able to take on a team and lead a team.
“Colin’s been growing in that area as well. I’d like to see more consistency from Colin and Brandon. But I don’t expect for it to happen overnight. Some leaders — they have it within. Others, it takes time. But Zavier Simpson, you just know it’s in his DNA. I keep coming back to Zavier because he’s just a special leader and it came early. When it happened, I don’t know. Who it came from, I’m sure it had to come a lot from his parents as well as some of the coaches that he’s played for.”
DeJulius more of a vocal leader?
“Yes, David is more of a vocal leader. It’s great. That’s what you want from your point guard.”
Wisconsin leading in three-pointers
“Well, they do a great job of sharing the basketball. They’re very patient offensively. Along those lines of the numbers that you threw out (11 made three-pointers in the past four games), they’re very patient when it comes to getting into their sets and running your offense, being patient, trying to make sure that when the defense, whatever the defense throws at you, they wan the defense to make a mistake. So it’s important for us to be very disciplined defensively.”
Wisconsin having multiple players who can shoot from deep
“It’s challenging. They spread you out. They have guys who can make three-pointers, not only from behind the three, but I’m talking like two-to-four steps from behind the three. It’s gonna be important that we guard the three-point line and get long rebounds. That’s another thing, too — when they get the offensive rebound, they always find one another out on the perimeter. So we have to keep them off the glass. We have to limit them to second-chance opportunities.”
Eli Brooks’ nose
“Well, it’s swollen. Like I said earlier, he’s still a handsome guy. Poor kid! I’m laughing, because I broke my nose three times, so I know what he’s going through.”
Is it broken?
“I’m not sure. But I’ve broken my nose three times and at times it looks similar to how Eli’s nose looks, so that’s why I’m just smiling at this moment.”
How does it look?
“You’ll see!”
Will he wear a mask?
“Possible.”
How Michigan is playing now vs. early in the season
“Of course, that’s what basketball’s all about is experience. Growing as a team. You’re gonna face adversity throughout the season. Very few teams have had a perfect season, because of the fact that some may have had luck on their side. And I still believe that there’s luck in sports. Unfortunately for us, we did not have luck on our side. There was bad luck on our side, we had various injuries. So that was a part of how we’re going to adapt to that. We did not make excuses for ourselves, we just figured it out. Kept forging ahead. Stayed mentally tough through the process and trust the process. We will continue to figure out ways to get better no matter what. Our team has grown a lot.”
Brooks playing tomorrow?
“I’m not sure, I haven’t spoken to Alex Wong yet.”
Defending 3-pointer strategy
“Really? I thought we got past that, man! How many of these have we had? We’ve had a lot of these press conferences, or what you call it? Pressers. I’m not gonna tell you. Nor do I want my opponents to know what’s our philosophy. Our thing is we just wanna make sure we get a hand-ball contest on every shot, whether it’s inside the arc or outside the arc.”
How easy it was to establish that philosophy
“It’s challenging. But our guys, they’re able to adapt from whatever the philosophy was before to this year. We have smart players who have high IQs, but it takes a lot of reps, it takes a lot of practices and film in order to grasp the defensive philosophy that I have.”
Thoughts on proposed one-time transfer rule
“I haven’t given that any thought at all. I’ve been thinking about Wisconsin.”
Zavier and Jon Teske’s college career dwindling
“We haven’t focused on any of that. We’ve only been focused on our opponents and growing as a team each and every day. I don’t stress about the future, nor do they. We just lock in on appreciating what God has given us, the opportunity for me to coach, for them to come out and compete and learn and grow as players. That’s what the focus has always been.”
Does Franz Wagner like big games as much as his brother?
“You have to ask Franz that. I just know Franz enjoys playing against competition and he understands that this season we’ve had some really good opponents that we’ve faced, non-conference as well as Big Ten Conference. With his experience playing over in Germany, he’s getting a chance to adapt to the collegiate style of play.”
Mental fortitude of winning at Rutgers and Purdue
“It’s challenging. I don’t know if many of you think it’s so easy, I’m not saying you guys had said it’s easy. But our players, what they’re dealing with — let’s take the academic side. They have midterms coming up. (Points to a Michigan Daily writer): I’m sure yourself, right? And you do not have basketball practice, do you? Nor do you play any games out here, do you? All you can do is just focus on your academics, right? And my players, they have both. So it’s hard.
“And then you go into a hostile environment like Rutgers. Fans are just cheering against you, saying all kinds of horrible things about you, throwing things at you while you’re sitting there on the bench. Our guys are able to go out there and stay locked in and focused. They’re playing with passion. So I appreciate that as a coach.
“Then you go to Purdue, a place where — another hostile environment, but not as aggressive as the other school. But, we know that it’s a tough place to play. We haven’t won there since 2014 — I’m happy no one told me that before the game! Or the day before — so thank you, thank you! I probably would have had more grey hair and less sleep, with bags under my eyes. But I admire how our guys are going out there competing and handling themselves from start to finish. Playing with passion, but playing with a lot of toughness, being locked in. I try to prepare them for just going out there and having fun. Enjoying this opportunity that’s put before them.”
Does he feel like an ambassador for Michigan?
“I’m gonna be me! That’s all I know. So, I was that way when I played here. I’m not gonna change as a coach, why? I walk in The Diag. Passing out donuts, I enjoy that. I enjoy being a part of this Block M. I really admire our athletes, not only here at Michigan, but all across the world. I know it’s challenging. But to see how they’re able to do something they enjoy doing, kids growing up to play the sport they always wanted to play. I knew how hard it could be, but I know how fun it is as well.
“I enjoy going to the games and supporting women’s basketball. I understand we’re gonna have a nice match on Friday, gymnastics is competing here at Crisler. I will be there! Looking forward to the softball games. I love football — that’s my passion, right there, football. Not saying all the other sports — I am gonna try to catch a soccer game as well as lacrosse. Learning more about lacrosse. My daughter plays lacrosse — I still don’t know too much about it. I love sports. I want to go to tennis games. I don’t know how to play tennis, but I love it! Serena Williams is my favorite athlete!
“Serena! I want you to know that I’m your biggest fan!”
Reaction to John Beilein departing Cleveland already
“Coach — I really respect his position. He knew what was best for himself and his family and the decision that he made I respect. I’m always here and I know he’s always been there for me — to help him, I will always lend my support to Coach Beilein.”
Difference between coaching in the NBA and college
“Well, I never been a head coach in the NBA, so I don’t know what that experience is like. I was an assistant coach thinking I know everything and giving all my ideas to Coach Spoelstra — yeah, right, like it worked. But it’s an adjustment on both sides. Going from NBA to college and reverse.”
What he wants to work on with four regular season games left
“Well, always can look at it like, the growth mindset of how we can improve, and I always approached it that way. Offensively, what can we do better offensively? And can we get sets run? Where can we get execution? Where can (we find things) we can improve on? Certain action, timing of ATO’s. Always looking at how we can improve defensively. Guarding the ball, pick and roll coverages, post-defense. I’m always thinking. Mind is always working, I’m always spending time in film, trying to see what areas we can improve. There’s a lot of growth in our group, but there’s still a lot of work we have to do in order to get to that level where we want to be. We try to build championship habits here. That’s the type of culture I’ve always talked about since day one when I walked in this building. One game at a time, that’s how I’m looking at it.”
Why Serena Williams is his favorite athlete?
“First, that word you just used (badass) — it starts with that! And her toughness, mental toughness. For Serena to be such an amazing talent. To have a baby and then come back and still play at a high level — I think that’s just amazing! That’s why I always said that women are some of the strongest you will ever see compared to men. Sorry men! That’s just how I feel, that’s my opinion. How she pushes herself to get uncomfortable, how to be able to stay on top for so long, playing at the highest level, at a high level. Just all the hard work that she’s put into the sport — she’s getting nothing but great results from it. I’m admiring everything that she’s done for tennis, and more importantly, just being an athlete.”