Juwan Howard reveals key to Michigan's improved defensive play

Michigan advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2022 NCAA Tournament after an up-and-down regular season. One of the keys to the turnaround has been improved defensive effort over the past month, which has helped Michigan compete and win against elite teams.

Ahead of a Sweet 16 matchup with Villanova, Juwan Howard addressed the defensive turnaround at Michigan and thanked the players who have helped change the team identity on that side of the court.

“Well, what we’ve done well is mental stability,” said Howard. “Give our guys credit. There have been times in the first half when we’ve been down. There have been times in the first half when we’ve turned over the basketball because we try to make the right play.

“But to be able to know and understand that it’s a 40-minute game, trusting the process but being dialed in when a team makes a run, staying mentally stable, that’s where you have leaders on the floor — a guy like Eli Brooks, Hunter Dickinson, putting the guys together on their back and sharing with them about we’ve got to stay locked in and focused. Our time will come, but keep trusting, keep getting stops. Those are the types of conversations they have in the huddles, and that’s why we have the carryover the way we do by being able to finish ball games.

“The game is built on 40 minutes, and until that buzzer sounds, we’re going to keep competing from start to finish.”

Juwan Howard on team chemistry

Juwan Howard also addressed the potential return of DeVante’ Jones after a difficult week of injuries derailed his NCAA Tournament dreams and forced freshman Frankie Collins to step up.

“We’ve been through it before with injuries, with COVID,” said Howard. “It’s already embedded in the culture, and our guys understand with injuries we make no excuses, but we trust that every guy that’s in that roster will get an opportunity to go out there, and when they do play, they’re going to give it their best.

“Fortunate enough, when DeVante’ went out with his injury, Frankie Collins stepped up, but it wasn’t a surprise to his teammates, it wasn’t a surprise to me or the staff because the work he’s put in in practice, the work he’s put in when he’s not at practice. The kid loves basketball. He has a basketball mind. He’s been through some competitive moments before throughout the season. But on the big stage in the NCAA Tournament, he didn’t look like a freshman. He looked like he belongs, which he does.”