Michigan forward Terrance Williams out against Wisconsin on Tuesday night
Michigan will be without a key starter against Wisconsin when the two squads face off at the Kohl Center. Forward Terrance Williams is out for the Wolverines due to a bruised knee.
Williams apparently warmed up to test his knee and see how well it might hold up, but made the call that he’s not ready tonight. In his place, Will Tschetter will make his first career start for Michigan.
Williams isn’t a stat sheet stuffer for Michigan, but plays a critical role defending opposing teams top forwards and as a ball mover and stabilizer on offense. Plus, he’s an adept rebounder and good passer.
But for now the Wolverines will need to make due against Wisconsin — the first game back in Madison since the now-infamous Juwan Howard slap of a Badgers assistant coach.
LOOK: Jett Howard wears ‘Free Juwan’ shirt as Michigan returns to Wisconsin after last season’s fight
You remember the scene: Michigan and Wisconsin players getting into it, Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft moving into the fracas and Michigan head coach Juwan Howard open-hand slapping him. For the first time since that ugly scene in Madison nearly a year ago, Michigan and Wisconsin are playing — at the Kohl Center and on Valentine’s Day, no less.
While both sides surely desire to avoid a repeat of last year — Howard was suspended for the remainder of the regular season and was lucky to keep his job — his younger son took the opportunity to give the hornets nest a little kick. Taking the court for pregame warmups, Jett Howard sported a blue shirt that read “Free Juwan” in yellow letters.
A bit much? Sure. Fun, still? Absolutely. Perhaps even better is the little maize icon of his dads face on the shirt.
For their part, Juwan Howard and Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard shook hands before the game and shared a cordial conversation. Plus, at Big Ten media days a few months ago, Howard and Krabbenhoft took a photo together, seemingly burying the hatchet.
But it looks like Jett Howard isn’t forgetting that there was a hatchet to be buried.