Phil Martelli sends message to Juwan Howard following Rutgers win

After the Wolverines’ win over Rutgers in his first game as acting Michigan head coach Phil Martelli shared what his message to Juwan Howard was afterwards. Martelli took over for the remainder of the regular season after head coach Juwan Howard was suspended for five games for his part in a postgame altercation with Wisconsin’s coaching staff. After Howard and Wisconsin coach Greg Gard shared a heated exchange and needed to be separated, Howard threw a punch towards another Wisconsin assistant coach and set off a scuffle between both teams.

Martelli’s message to Juwan Howard following first win

After his first win as head coach of the Wolverines, Martelli was asked what message he would be sending Howard after the game. Martelli answered with praise for their suspended coach, stating that the team rallied around him despite his absence.

“That he’s loved. And his love for the players helped them perform like that,” said Martelli.

Michigan won on Wednesday against Rutgers by a score of 71-62 as they continue to fight for a potential NCAA Tournament spot. While Howard is away from the team, the Wolverines called upon the former longtime Saint Joseph’s head coach to lead them in the interim. Martelli led the Hawks for 24 seasons until 2019, leaving the school with a head coaching record of 444-328. In one game as the head man for Michigan, Martelli improved on his impressive record by winning his 445th game as a head coach.

Martelli on Howard’s mindset following suspension

When asked if he will have verbal contact with Howard throughout his time as acting head coach, Martelli answered simply, “yes.”

“Juwan is my friend,” Martelli said. “I feel tremendously responsible to my friends to make sure they’re doing well. … Juwan is very remorseful, and today is a little better than yesterday.”

Martelli was also asked what Howard’s immediate reaction was following Sunday’s scuffle.

“(Howard) did not speak to the players on Sunday (immediately after the game),” Martelli said. “It was a very heartfelt text exchange very late at night on Sunday.”