Wolverine TV: Juwan Howard previews Michigan's matchup at MSU, what to expect from the environment

Michigan Wolverines head basketball coach Juwan Howard and sophomore forward Terrance Williams II met with the media Friday morning to preview the team’s Saturday showdown at Michigan State, discuss the three-game win streak and more.

Michigan won in a raucous road environment at Indiana last weekend, handling the Hoosiers by a final score of 80-62, before gutting out a 72-70 win over Northwestern Wednesday night. Howard believes his team can use the two experiences to its benefit when going up against the Tom Izzo-coached Spartans.

“It’s very helpful in a lot of ways” Howard said. “Starting with Indiana — you play Indiana at Indiana, and all of us who’ve been there and hear that crowd, it’s very intense and it can get very loud. It’s a great, historic place to play in. At the same time, it can also be intimidating. I loved how our guys handled that type of environment, just staying locked in to the moment.

“But we understand that Michigan State is going to be a lot similar, but maybe 10x — and what I mean by that is it’s going to be on steroids, because you have to rival teams that neither one likes one another and it’s an in-state rival.

“The Maize and Blue, in my opinion, is a more beautiful color than the Green and White.”

Michigan is 10-7 on the season and 3-3 in Big Ten play. The Wolverines are on their first three-game win streak of the season, with wins over Maryland, Indiana and Northwestern, and could use a victory at MSU to get over .500 heading into next Tuesday’s matchup with a reeling Nebraska squad.

Michigan State, on the other hand, has lot two of three games, including setbacks against Northwestern and at a short handed Illinois team.

Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m. ET at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, Mich.

For more Michigan basketball talk from Howard and Williams, watch the interviews below.

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Michigan Basketball Head Coach Juwan Howard

Michigan Basketball Forward Terrance Williams II

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