Juwan Howard won't reveal Michigan's starting 5, and other observations ahead of season opener

Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press
·5 min read
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Michigan basketball is two days away from the start of a season unlike any other. .

With just five nonconference games, new health and safety protocols, and no fans things will certainly be different.

But that doesn't dampen Juwan Howard's enthusiasm.

“I’m extremely excited about this upcoming season finally getting started," Howard said Monday. "Hopefully on Wednesday, if all goes well, we will have a game."

Some teams have already had to pause due to COVID-19-related issues, and there have been numerous games canceled.

Howard acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding college basketball and says there are "a lot of unknowns." At the same time, he's trying to stay positive.

"It’s an uncomfortable time right now," Howard said. "It’s very different from what we all are used to, that we all pretty much have to adjust."

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Here are more takeaways from Howard's media availability as Michigan prepares for Wednesday's season opener against Bowling Green:

No starting lineup yet

At this point, Howard probably has a good idea of what Michigan's starting five will look like. But he declined to share that with reporters.

“No, I have not decided yet who is going to start on Wednesday," Howard said. "We still have time for that. Looking forward to today’s practice and tomorrow to prep for Bowling Green. I’m not sure what the rotation is going to be like at this time."

When forward Isaiah Livers spoke with reporters earlier this fall, he said the starting lineup in practice included himself Mike Smith, Eli Brooks, Franz Wagner and Austin Davis. Quite some time has passed between Livers' comments, though, and during that period, Wake Forest transfer Chaundee Brown received immediate eligibility. Regardless, we won't find out what Michigan's starting lineup looks like until shortly before tipoff Wednesday.

"We’re going to keep growing," Howard said, "and that’s why Monday and Tuesday are going to be some really good practices to prepare for Bowling Green and see what’s going to give us the best chance to win.”

Howard worked on the new-look schedule

Michigan's full schedule was released last week, featuring five nonconference games and a full 20-game Big Ten slate. The Wolverines were previously scheduled to play in the 2020 Empire Classic, a preseason tournament that would've taken place at Madison Square Garden; instead, Michigan opted out. Other teams around the country have made similar decisions regarding traditional early-season tournaments, and on Monday, Howard said he was involved in creating Michigan's new schedule.

"I had a lot of say in it, and during these uncomfortable times, everyone was pivoting trying to find out what was the best way to schedule games where keeping health and safety is No. 1," Howard said. "There were games that — potential opponents that you’re trying to schedule to play that they were working trying to get their schedule pinned down, and they were having challenges as well."

The Wolverines were also previously scheduled to play marquee games against Oregon (the other leg of a home-and-home series that began last season) and Kentucky (in London), but the pandemic changed their plans. Now, Michigan will host Bowling Green, Oakland, Ball State, Central Florida and North Carolina State, with the final game part of the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

More praise for Brandon Johns

Forward Brandon Johns Jr. could play a crucial role this season thanks to his versatility and athleticism. Howard believes Johns can guard every position except point guard, space the floor with his 3-point shooting and score with his back to the basket.

“We’re going to need his contribution on both sides of the floor on offense and defense," Howard said.

The only question is where Johns will play. He manned the "4" last season, but Livers will likely play most of the minutes at that position. There's an opening at the "5" , and assistant coach Phil Martelli revealed last week that Michigan has tried Johns as a small-ball center. Monday, Howard indicated that Johns will get a look at multiple spots.

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“It’s all hands on deck," Howard said. "He’s very versatile, so it’s great to be able to utilize him at the ‘4’ and the ‘5’ spot. He is going to be a guy we can lean on at (center), depending on the depth chart.

"Yes, Austin (Davis) and Hunter (Dickinson) are the first two guys we give the nod to at that position. But in basketball, the game has evolved a lot, where you see teams at times play a '5' that is 6-foot-7 or 6-foot-6. Give credit to the Golden State Warriors — they helped change the game a lot. Draymond (Green) has perfected that position.”

Wings will play together

In Howard's first year on the job, the strength of the team was at point guard and center, thanks to the now-graduated Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske. The strength this season appears to be on the wing, with Wagner, Livers and Brown. And the Wolverines do plan on playing all three together.

“Yes, they have been on the same lineup before in practice," Howard said. "I’ve seen a lot of good things with that lineup. All three are very long. Yes, Franz and Isaiah are a lot taller and a lot bigger than Chaundee, but Chaundee’s toughness and aggressiveness defensively, it causes a lot of problems for his opponents.

"We’re going to go to that lineup at times. I expect with that lineup there is going to be some really good production because of putting them in situations in practice and seeing how it has grown. And we will continue to grow with it.”

Contact Orion Sang at osang@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @orion_sang. Read more on the Michigan Wolverines and sign up for our Wolverines newsletter

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball's Juwan Howard waits to show opening-night lineup