michigan-basketball – Page 61 – Syndication Server

In-state 2021 4-star SG Pierre Brooks eyes Michigan, Michigan State as recruitment progresses

In-state guard Pierre Brooks has Michigan, Michigan State, Xavier, Missouri, Northwestern, Alabama and Arizona State at the top of his list.

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Pierre Brooks has been on Michigan’s radar since he was a 14-year-old in the eighth grade.

Assistant coach Saddi Washington first made contact in 2017 during his introductory season working under former coach John Beilein. He kept on Brooks and bridged the recruiting gap from Beilein’s departure to the NBA to first-year coach Juwan Howard.

Three years after Brooks first heard from the Wolverines, the Detroit (Mich.) Douglass Academy 2021 four-star shooting guard picked up the highly coveted offer Jan. 6 after Howard watched him practice.

“I think me and coach Howard have a connection, talking more and stuff like that,” Brooks said. “At first, it was a little confusing in my head, but I now see where they’re going with it.

“I just didn’t know if they were still interested.”

Michigan is most definitely interested, and Howard solidified himself in a race against Michigan State – led by coach Tom Izzo – for one of the top-ranked recruits in the state.

“Michigan has been recruiting me hard, but Michigan State has a different level of recruiting,” Brooks said. “Michigan and Michigan State are both recruiting me hard.”

Brooks is rated No. 119 in his class, No. 25 at his position and No. 3 in Michigan, according to the 247Sports composite.

The 6-foot-6, 205-pound guard has trimmed his top list to Michigan, Michigan State, Xavier, Missouri, Northwestern, Alabama and Arizona State.

Those are the programs Brooks will decide between when it comes time to take his five official visits. The junior said he will commit before his 2020-21 senior season.

“The schools I’m considering the most is where I’ll take official visits my senior year,” he said.

The Spartans seem to be the frontrunner for Brooks, as they’ve impressed him with on-court intensity from an offensive and defensive standpoint along with maintaining a relationship off the court.

“I feel like they’ve been doing a great job of keeping in contact with me and making sure they keep me like family in their program,” Brooks said. “Every time I’m up there, they treat me like family.”

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Brooks compares himself as a combination between former Michigan guard Jordan Poole and forward Charles Matthews. The self-proclaimed all-around athlete prides himself on his abilities to post-up smaller guards and make jump shots, something that was once considered a negative aspect of his game.

In the offseason, after averaging 23.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game as a sophomore, Brooks focused on his effectiveness on the perimeter.

And he’s become a better shooter because of it.

“My pros are getting to the basket, facilitating and finding open teammates, finishing through contact and posting up smaller guards,” Brooks said. “My cons are pick-and-roll defense and slowing the pace down to control the tempo in a game.”

More than anything, Brooks enjoys being able to play without limitations.

The NBA-style Howard has brought to Michigan features a fast-paced offense that breaks down defenses by hustling in transition. While there are still reads and certain sets, Howard allows his players to use their natural abilities.

“I really like the playstyle, and the coaching staff has stayed in contact with me,” Brooks said. “But I like Michigan’s style, the way they let you play a little bit and go if you can really play.”

The Wolverines operate with a specific pace under the 10-year NBA veteran, member of the Fab Five from 1991-94 and new head coach.

And Brooks loves everything about Howard – even extending beyond the hardwood.

“Coach is a legend, and he’s a great guy,” Brooks said. “What he’s doing with the guys now is incredible. Nobody expected him to come in and do what he’s doing now with the program. From what I’ve seen, he’s a great guy, and I really respect him a lot.”

Brooks has been to Michigan six times, most recently for the football game Sept. 15 against SMU. He plans to make a return to watch a basketball game at Crisler Center when his schedule permits.

“I’m going to talk to the coaching staff about it, but I’d definitely like to go,” he said. “It’s a priority of mine.”

The Detroit native hopes to improve his relationship with Michigan’s coaching staff and figure out where he’d fit within the system.

Brooks is already close with Washington, as they’ve known each other for three years, but he wants to grow toward Howard and assistant coaches Phil Martelli and Howard Eisley.

“Coach Saddi, since the eighth grade, has always been recruiting me hard,” Brooks said. “He’s stayed in contact with me, asked family questions and is a relationship guy. He’s always been there.”

The parallel between Brooks and the entire coaching staff as well as giving the young prospect a future role are points of emphasis Howard needs to accomplish if he has plans of landing Brooks over Izzo at Michigan State.

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Locked On Wolverines Podcast (Ep. 277): Football/basketball trajectories

Where Michigan basketball can go this season and why football is a little more behind the 8-ball than you might think.

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A little late reacting to the Michigan basketball loss at MSU, what it means and where the Wolverines hoops team goes from here. Then, an interesting observation about football, and why the maize and blue are where they are at the moment.

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You can subscribe on iTunes, Google Podcasts, TuneIn Radio or Stitcher.

Or you can listen right here on WolverinesWire!

LISTEN below:

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Michigan basketball drops in latest AP Top 25 poll

The Wolverines dropped in the first AP Top 25 of 2020 after losing at Michigan State.

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After going into East Lansing shorthanded with Isaiah Livers dealing with a groin injury, it was a tough matchup for No. 12 Michigan against rival No. 14 MSU.

The Spartans, led by senior point guard Cassius Winston flexed on their home court, never once surrendering the lead, despite the Wolverines’ best efforts in the loss at the Breslin Center.

Afterwards, the AP voters saw two teams moving in opposite directions, and the once top 5 Wolverines now find themselves near the bottom of the AP Top 25. While the win catapulted MSU up to No. 8, Michigan dropped just as much as the Spartans rose, coming in at No. 19 in the latest rankings.

Michigan still has the best win on the season, as No. 1 Gonzaga’s only loss thus far, but also has losses to No. 8 MSU, No. 9 Oregon in overtime, and No. 13 Louisville.

Michigan will still have to contend with MSU once more this season, and will face No. 20 Penn State later this month, MSU and No. 11 Ohio State in February and will end the 2019-20 regular season against No. 12 Maryland in College Park.

1	Gonzaga (16-1)	1	West Coast
2	Duke (13-1)	2	Atlantic Coast
3	Kansas (11-2)	3	Big 12
4	Baylor (11-1)	6	Big 12
5	Auburn (13-0)	8	Southeastern
6	Butler (14-1)	11	Big East
7	San Diego State (15-0)	13	Mountain West
8	Michigan State (12-3)	14	Big Ten
9	Oregon (12-3)	4	Pacific 12
10	Florida State (13-2)	18	Atlantic Coast
11	Ohio State (11-3)	5	Big Ten
12	Maryland (12-2)	15	Big Ten
13	Louisville (11-3)	7	Atlantic Coast
14	Kentucky (10-3)	17	Southeastern
15	Dayton (13-2)	20	Atlantic 10
16	Villanova (10-3)	10	Big East
17	West Virginia (11-2)	16	Big 12
18	Virginia (11-2)	19	Atlantic Coast
19	Michigan (10-4)	12	Big Ten
20	Penn State (12-2)	21	Big Ten
21	Memphis (12-2)	9	American Athletic
22	Texas Tech (10-3)	22	Big 12
23	Wichita State (13-1)	24	American Athletic
24	Arizona (11-3)	25	Pacific 12
25	Colorado (12-3)		Pacific 12

Juwan Howard addresses ‘competitive’ nature of MSU rivalry

Juwan Howard discussed his feeling towards Michigan State and the Wolverines-Spartans rivalry following Michigan’s 87-69 loss on Sunday.

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Juwan Howard didn’t have to be told what the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry was all about when he accepted the Wolverines’ head coaching position back in May.

He was recruited by these schools as a high-schooler. He played in this rivalry game. He knew what it was about well before he had an office inside the Crisler Center.

“It’s a very competitive rivalry,” Howard said. “It’s a competitive rivalry in football. It’s a competitive rivalry in basketball. It’s in-state. We’ve got two schools that are only, what, an hour from one another? Depending on how you drive?

“Some of these kids are from the state of Michigan on our roster. You have some kids from the state of Michigan on their roster. They’ve known each other since they were little kids, playing in AAU and high school. Truly, they are both competitive.

Competitive was his chosen word in describing the annual matchups between the Wolverines and Spartans, choosing instead to describe it that way when he was asked whether his level of “hate” towards MSU had diminished at all since his days as a player.

“Have you ever heard me use the word hate?,” Howard asked. “As a player, did I ever use the word hate? I think we should use a different word.”

Unfortunately for Howard, the Wolverines had a hard time staying competitive on the floor with the Spartans in this rendition of the rivalry. Michigan went toe-to-toe with the Spartans for much of the first half, but Michigan State pulled away for a ten-point lead as the teams headed for the locker room.

In the second half, the Spartans’ lead ballooned to 16 before Michigan cut their deficit to single digits on a couple occasions. Still, Michigan State felt in control throughout the contest, and the final score, 87-69, reflected that fact.

“Each and every game, we’re trying to compete,” Howard said. “Our goal was to come in here and win. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the job done.

“We’re going to have to just keep forging ahead, mentally stable and keep working, which we will. Second half, there were some possessions where we attacked the basket, we didn’t finish, the ball did not go in. We can’t make [that] a compound mistake, we’ve got to sprint back in transition and prevent a layup from happening or a shot from three.”

This rivalry has been highly competitive for much of the last decade. Tom Izzo noted on Sunday that each program has had stretches where they’ve won multiple games in a row against their rival. Right now, the Spartans have won four straight, and this one was the least competitive of those four matchups.

Howard acknowledged his team has to focus on the Big Ten games directly ahead of them, but the next matchup with Michigan State is already on his mind as well.

“In this game, you just have two heavyweights going at one another,” Howard said. “Unfortunately, someone has to lose and for us it just happened. But, we get the chance to play them again in our building. We’re looking forward to it whenever that time comes, but we’re just taking it one game at a time.”[jwplayer nzzI9rE9]

Michigan’s shooting woes return at MSU

Michigan basketball fell to Michigan State on Sunday afternoon in no small part due to another poor shooting performance on the road.

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A familiar theme is emerging whenever Michigan basketball leaves the friendly confines of the Crisler Center.

Coming into their Top 15 matchup with rival Michigan State, the Wolverines had made just 6-of-37 attempts from behind the three-point arc in road games at Louisville and Illinois. Michigan also shot only 35 percent from the floor in those contests.

Those trends continued Sunday at the Breslin Center, as the Wolverines connected on just 5 of 23 attempts from deep, and finished the game shooting 36 percent overall (25-of-69).

“We got some good shots, especially in the first half,” head coach Juwan Howard said. “There were some shots that did not fall. Unfortunately for us, it’s been like our norm on the road where the threes don’t fall for us.”

In three true road games this season, the Wolverines are shooting 36.5 percent from the floor (67-of-189) and an abysmal 18.3 percent from three-point range (11-of-60).

It’s an issue Michigan will need to correct quickly if they are going to contend in the Big Ten this season. The Wolverines host Purdue in their next contest, but still have road trips to Minnesota and Iowa later this month.

“We’ve just got to be confident in the shots we take,” senior center Jon Teske said. “We’ve got to trust that those shots will go in. Coach [Phil] Martelli said, ‘We got a lot of shots in the first half. How many of those shots did you trust to go in, expect to go in? Or, are you just kind of shooting it?’ So, we’ve just got to have the mindset that this shot’s going to go in, regardless if it does or doesn’t.

“You’re away from home, the environment is different, the travel is different, but that’s no excuse. You’ve just got to come in, come prepared to knock those shots down.”

Sophomore Brandon Johns Jr., who started in place of injured small forward Isaiah Livers, agreed with the suggestion the Wolverines had open looks, and doubled down on the need to take advantage of those opportunities.

“Shot selection was good, I thought it was actually really good,” Johns Jr. said. “I thought we were swinging it, I thought we were trying to get the open man and everything. I think that was a big key for us, to hit the open man.

“We got a lot of shooting in before [the game], but I think we hesitated a lot with our threes and second-guessed ourselves, which caused us to miss them. So, we need to be confident when we shoot them. We’ve got to stay mentally strong, stay composed and the more we do that the more our shots will fall.”

Just three games into their Big Ten schedule, the Wolverines already find themselves 2.5 games out of first place in the conference, and with those road games at Minnesota and Iowa on the horizon, Michigan could find itself out of the race before it’s barely begun if the poor shooting away from Ann Arbor continues.

5 takeaways: Michigan never leads in loss at MSU

Five takeaways from the rivalry matchup between No. 12 Michigan and No. 14 Michigan State on Sunday afternoon at the Breslin Center.

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — A new chapter of one of the best rivalries in college basketball was written on Sunday afternoon as No. 12 Michigan traveled to No. 14 Michigan State for a Top 15 showdown in East Lansing.

In addition to jockeying for position in the national polls, it was an important game in terms of conference standings as well, with the Spartans currently leading the way in the Big Ten.

After a close battle through the opening ten minutes of play, Michigan State established itself with a strong close to the first half to take a 44-34 lead into the locker room.

The Spartans’ lead ballooned to as many as 16 points in the second half (67-51) with just under 12 minutes to play, but Michigan had a couple small runs to cut their deficit to single digits on a couple occasions. In the end, the Wolverines just didn’t have the firepower to keep pace with MSU, falling by a final score of 87-69.

1. live and die by the 3-pointer

Michigan had no chance in this game if they didn’t shoot well from the perimeter, and the Wolverines were porous in three-point percentage. Michigan was 5-of-23 from deep (22 percent), while the Spartans countered by shooting 7-of-15 from three-point range (47 percent). In their big wins to start the season, the Wolverines shot well from beyond the arc, but a common theme in their losses this season has been poor outside shooting.

2. no offensive answers

With the three-ball not falling for Michigan, MSU was able to clamp down on the interior scoring for the Wolverines as well. That resulted in Michigan in a poor field goal percentage overall as well, 36 percent from the floor. Jon Teske was effective, finishing with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, but he was limited due to foul trouble. Zavier Simpson scored 14 points, but shot just 6-of-18 from the floor. The ineptitude extended to the free throw line as well, as the Wolverines shot a below average 14-of-22 from the charity stripe.

3. michigan needs livers back

It’s impossible to say whether a healthy Isaiah Livers would have changed the outcome of this game, but it’s reasonable to think his presence would have given the Wolverines a boost. The junior is the second-leading scorer for Michigan, and has played in a lot of big games during his first two seasons in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have fallen to 1-2 in Big Ten play this season, and will need their veteran small forward to remain in the race for a conference title.

4. winston terrorizes wolverines again

Michigan State senior guard Cassius Winston continued to be a thorn in the Wolverines’ side, after leading the Spartans over Michigan in all three meetings last season. On Sunday, the All-American led MSU with a career-high 32 points on 11-of-19 shooting, and added 9 assists. The Wolverines won’t be able to shut down Winston when the Spartans travel to Ann Arbor on Feb. 8, but they’ll have to do a much better job in limiting his effectiveness in that contest.

5. Second half resolve fades late

Depite the poor shooting, the foul trouble and incredible performances by MSU’s Winston and Xavier Tillman (20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 blocks), the Wolverines’ deficit was just single digits with six minutes or so to play. When the deficit blossomed to 16 points midway through the second half, it appeared the Wolverines were about to get run out of the Breslin Center. Michigan showed some resolve to stay within arms reach, but the Spartans pulled away late for the 18-point victory.

Halftime Analysis: No. 12 Michigan at No. 14 Michigan State

Michigan heads into the second-half with a 10-point deficit. What do the Wolverines have to do better to beat the Spartans in East Lansing?

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Michigan traveled to East Lansing for a Sunday afternoon showdown with rival Michigan State.

The Wolverines enter the contest ranked 12th in the country, and bring a 1-1 record in the Big Ten with a win over Iowa and a loss to Illinois.

The Spartans, ranked 14th, boast a sparkling 3-0 record in conference play with wins over Rutgers, Northwestern and Illinois.

They say basketball is a game of runs, and that old cliche rang true in the first half on Sunday. Michigan State started fast, jumping to an early 15-8 lead, however the Wolverines battled back to within 23-21 midway through the frame.

The Spartans then counter-punched with a 7-0 run to take a 30-21 edge, and continued that momentum throughout the remainder of the half, taking a 44-34 lead into the locker room.

POSITIVES:

Michigan’s bigs carried the Wolverines in the first half. Jon Teske (11 points, 3 rebounds), Brandon Johns Jr. (5 points) and Austin Davis (7 points, 4 rebounds) combined for 15 of first 17 points. Given the way Michigan struggled in outside shooting, the post production is vital for the Wolverines to stay within striking distance.
Zavier Simpson box score line won’t wow you — 8 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, steal) — but the senior made several hustle plays for Michigan. Whether it be an offensive rebound or a quick steal off an MSU defensive board, Simpson stole a couple extra possessions for the Wolverines, and those possessions ended in points for the road club.

NEGATIVES:

The Wolverines struggled mightily shooting from three-point range, missing their first six attempts from beyond the arc before freshman Franz Wagner was finally able to knock one down with just under 8 minutes to play in the opening half. Later in the half, the lack of production from the perimeter began to catch up with Michigan, as they finished the half just 14-of-38 from the floor (37 percent). The Wolverines will have to shoot the ball much better in the second half to get back in the game.
It came as no surprise that senior Cassius Winston led the way for the Spartans in the first half. Still, it was a little too easy for the All-American in the those opening 20 minutes. He finished with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, and added 4 assists as well.
As usual, Michigan State looked to get out and run as often as they could, and their pace led to 10 fast break points. The Wolverines, meanwhile, were held scoreless in fast break points. Michigan’s transition defense improved throughout the half, and they’ll have to remain diligent in that area in the second half.

Michigan basketball lands another four-star commit in 2020 class

The Wolverines added a 2020 four-star power forward to the class.

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When Michigan hired Juwan Howard, there were more questions than answers. Now, just a few months into his tenure, we now have more answers than questions.

And that goes for both on and off the court.

While the Wolverines have had an impressive start under Howard, including two early season top ten wins, the first-year head coach has had solid success on the recruiting trail. It started with getting now-starter Franz Wagner to come to Ann Arbor instead of playing pro-ball in Europe. Then he landed five-star Isaiah Todd and four-star Hunter Dickinson, both standouts in the 2020 class.

And the Wolverines got a New Year’s gift, adding another to the 2020 group, with Terrance Williams posting on Twitter that he’s committed to the maize and blue.

New Year…new beginnings 〽️ #GoBlue #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/60UPC1S9Xc

— T Will #️⃣5️⃣ (@_flyyt) January 1, 2020

Williams is a four-star power forward, rated as the No. 84 player in the 2020 class, regardless of position. He’s also the 17th-best power forward and top player in Washington D.C., as he plays high school ball at Gonzaga.

He visited Ann Arbor on Dec. 28, so he apparently saw all he needed to see.

Williams was once committed to Georgetown.

Michigan basketball rises in latest AP Top 25

Where the Wolverines checked in heading into the final week of play in December.

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Michigan basketball got as high as No. 5 this season, but then lost 3 of 4, and fell to No. 14 in last week’s AP Top 25.

However, as yet another No. 1 fell — which seems to be par for the course for any program rising to the top ranking — and with an easy, blowout victory over lowly Presbyterian on Saturday, the Wolverines got a little closer to being a Top 10 team once again.

With the latest AP Top 25 coming out on Monday afternoon, the maize and blue check in at No. 11, a step closer to making it into elite company.

That makes Michigan the second-highest ranked team in the Big Ten — ahead of even rival Michigan State. However, yet another rival is ahead of the Wolverines, as one-loss Ohio State moved into the No. 2 spot.

But the No. 1 team in the country, Gonzaga, also has a singular loss — a blowout to Michigan in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament this past November.

The only other win over a ranked team Michigan currently has is over No. 25 Iowa. Oregon, which U-M lost to in overtime, comes in at No. 6.

1	Gonzaga (13-1)	2	1,608
2	Ohio State (11-1)	5	1,520
3	Louisville (11-1)	3	1,460
4	Duke (10-1)	4	1,429
5	Kansas (9-2)	1	1,388
6	Oregon (10-2)	8	1,286
7	Baylor (9-1)	10	1,207
8	Auburn (11-0)	12	1,107
9	Memphis (10-1)	11	1,040
10	Villanova (9-2)	18	950
11	Michigan (9-3)	14	889
12	Butler (11-1)	17	853
13	Maryland (10-2)	7	785
14	Michigan State (9-3)	15	775
15	San Diego State (12-0)	20	763
16	Virginia (9-2)	9	595
17	Florida State (10-2)	19	583
18	Dayton (9-2)	13	541
19	Kentucky (8-3)	6	411
20	Penn State (10-2)	23	332
21	Washington (9-2)	22	326
22	West Virginia (10-1)	25	229
23	Texas Tech (8-3)	24	178
24	Arizona (10-3)	16	153
25	Iowa (9-3)		125

VIDEO/TRANSCRIPT: Juwan Howard reacts to Michigan basketball’s rout over Presbyterian

Everything Juwan Howard had to say about the Wolverines 86-44 victory over the Blue Hose.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan routed Presbyterian, 86-44, on Saturday afternoon at Crisler Center, in the penultimate non-conference game of the 2019-20 season.

Afterwards, per usual, Michigan basketball head coach Juwan Howard met with the media to discuss the game, but there was very little to say — as well as asked — after the dominant affair.

On playing against a mediocre team after a month-plus of big matchups

“This game wasn’t easy. I had goosebumps and all types of nervous energy happening before the game, because you never know exactly how your team is gonna approach each and every opponent. Our guys were locked in from start to finish. I love the way we just came out defensively being aggressive. Doing it without fouling. And not looking at the scoreboard when we got up and continued to keep playing the game and finish strong.”

If any of the bench players stood out to him

“They all do. I wish I could play all 15 players, and it just so happened. It’s tough to do it. I usually go with a 9-10 man rotation. Every time I leave the arena, I always think about, ‘Wow, I wish I could have played Cole Bajema more. I wish I would have played Adrian Nunez more. Jaron (Faulds) — that’s my mindset always.”

On Isaiah Livers’ injury status

“No, I do not. I do not have an update.”

Which specific muscle Livers strained

“Man, I wish I was a doctor so I could tell you exactly which muscle it was, but I have no idea. I’m just praying it’s not a serious injury and tomorrow he will hopefully feel better. But I trust we have a great medical team that will take good care of him but also give us the proper advice that’s needed to help us find the answers.”

Level of concern with Livers

“I’m always concerned about each and every player. I’m concerned about Cole, I’m concerned about Franz being under the weather. I’m concerned about Brandon.”

On Cole Bajema

“What I’ve seen is the fact that he’s been positive throughout the process. Being a freshman, having to learn a lot of things that he’s probably never had, concepts that he’s never had a chance to be a part of from starting playing basketball. I know we all coach the game in different ways. I have different terminology. A lot different from what he experienced in high school and also the AAU circuit. But I love the fact that he has a great attitude each and every day coming into practice, being ready to work and then learn. And then he also has great teammates helping him out. I’m not surprised that he was ready to come out and play today. He’s always ready to play. Like I stated earlier, you can’t play 15 players.”

On having Colin Castleton at the 4

“I’ve tried Colin at the 4 earlier on in the summer, we were just doing summer workouts. Also, when we started practice on the 24th, Colin — he’s a guy that can play some 4 and 5. Smart player, has a high IQ. I just wanted him to know this: keep it simple. He don’t have to overdribble or overhandle. Just make the right play. The plays that we called that were set up for him to either shoot it, drive it or pass it.”

“It definitely gives us an advantage on the offensive glass. It should also give us an advantage on the defensive glass, too, because we have length in there. It gives us another guy that can protect the basket. And on pick and roll situations, he’s always active with his hands, making sure that he’s ball and near basket when he comes off a ball screen.”

What didn’t go right vs. Presbyterian

“I’m always nit picky. I always feel like we can do something better and learn from areas. Too many paint touches. I didn’t like the fact that they touched the paint too many times. Turnovers. We had 10 turnovers. The turnovers we did have were sometimes ones where we tried to force it. I always use terminology in baseball: keep it simple, look for some singles instead of home runs.”