The latest on Michigan basketball guard DeVante' Jones prior to Sweet 16
Michigan point guard DeVante’ Jones missed the NCAA opener with Colorado State after getting hit in the nose in practice. That kept the veteran out, in concussion protocol, and left frosh Frankie Collins to run the show.
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Jones joined the team for its second round game with Tennessee, but he only played 11 minutes in the first half before leaving again.
“I was told by my trainer at halftime that he couldn’t go in the second half, and that’s all I can tell you,” Howard said after the 76-68 Michigan win. “With that, help is everything with us. It was hurtful to see that he couldn’t come back in the second half because this kid, he wanted to be a part of [it]. He’s been living for this moment, the first time being in the NCAA Tournament.
“But what he did in the first half was pretty impressive, too. Not having practices, then coming out there and giving everything he could. But Frankie stepped up once again. And I recruited him; I know what he can do.”
They’ll likely need both of them to beat Villanova and either Houston or Arizona to advance to the Final Four.
“They’re different guards, but they both add something totally different that I feel puts a lot of pressure on our opponents,” Howard said.
The good news — Jones did travel to San Antonio with the team. And while there hadn’t been any details given about his health until today, he indicated after the win over Tennessee that he was better.
Head coach Juwan Howard provided more positive news from San Antonio Wednesday.
“He practiced today and yesterday, so right now he’s looking good,” he said. “He’s improved a lot with his health. We will know more tomorrow morning as far as how he feels when it comes to recovery as he wakes up. But I keep my fingers crossed, and we’re praying that he will be available for tomorrow.”
If he is, he’ll likely start. Collins will be ready to go either way, Howard continued.
“It’s already embedded in the culture, and our guys understand with injuries we make no excuses,” he said. “But we trust that every guy that’s on 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 of 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.”
Both are expected to play significant minutes Thursday. And given his comments on Selection Sunday, it’s clear Jones will do whatever he can to play.
“The feeling I’m going through is surreal right now,” Jones said. “I was telling Frankie just a minute ago, I’m trying not to cry. But when I get home, I might cry. Just because as a kid this is something that you pray about. And [in those] years at Coastal Carolina, I gave everything I had and always fell short.”
“So being able to come here at the University of Michigan with coach Juwan Howard and this amazing coaching staff, having the ability to play in March Madness, that’s something that not everybody can do. So me personally, I’m going to take this very seriously and take advantage of it.”
