Juwan Howard gives update on DeVante' Jones injury

Michigan‘s DeVante’ Jones has been in concussion protocol taking an elbow during practice in the lead-up to its first-round matchup against Colorado State. When giving a timeline for the guard’s return, but Wolverines’ head coach Juwan Howard has leaned on the more cautious side since suffering the injury and did not play against the Rams, but was able to suit up in the first half against Tennessee, but was quickly pulled.

“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. “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 — been living for this moment, first time being in the NCAA Tournament.”

That halftime report ruled Jones out with the head injury, saying he was feeling sick in the locker room. He was able to play 11 minutes in the first half and was able to score two points along with three assists and three rebounds. Jones has been a vital part of the Wolverines’ offense this year after transferring from Coastal Carolina. He started all 31 games prior to the NCAA Tournament and averaged 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists in those appearances.

In his place, freshman guard Frankie Collins stepped in to play 30 minutes compared to his 11-minute per game average this season. He was mostly used as an extra body, finishing with two points, four rebounds and two assists.

But what [Jones] did in the first half was pretty impressive, too, not having practiced, 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,” Howard said. “… They’re different guards, but they both add something totally different that I feel puts a lot of pressure on our opponents.”

Without the play of Jones in the second half, Howard and Michigan rode the wave of momentum created by senior guard Eli Brooks and his 23 points and five assists. It wasn’t just Brooks, as Hunter Dickinson notched 27 points and 11 rebounds in the 76-68 win over Tennessee Saturday in the Round of 32.

Michigan now awaits the winner of Villanova and Ohio State in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 24 in San Antonio, Texas.