Juwan Howard 'loves' Michigan's improved effort rebounding

Michigan put their third straight win together on Wednesday night, defeating Nebraska at home 93-72. The Wolverines have gradually improved on the offensive end of the floor during their three-game win streak, but head coach Juwan Howard has been more impressed with their effort on the glass lately and his team’s rebounding.

“Our guy’s been working on it all year, we’ve rebounded opponents with games that we’ve lost so yes, it’s something that everyone points out when you win and that’s how it goes,” Howard said.

The Wolverines have won the rebounding battle in two of their last three games, highlighted by an impressive day on the boards versus Northwestern snatching an impressive 41 rebounds versus the Wildcats. Michigan out-rebounded the Cornhuskers 35-23 on Wednesday, showing that what they’ve worked on in practice has translated to game days according to Howard.

“But I just love the fact that our guys have been dialed into what we’ve been working on in practice and been applying it,” Howard said. “There are times when the ball is going to bounce behind over your head, that’s how it goes when a guy shoots a long three.”

Rebounds can be unpredictable depending on how shots are missed, but Howard believes that the effort of the Wolverines has been the key factor in their recent rebounding success.

“But I see the effort and that’s what it takes, effort, and our guy’s been dialed in to bring that effort in practice and also in games,” Howard said.

The Wolverines will test their rebounding prowess against one of the Big Ten’s best teams in their next matchup, as they face No. 18 Indiana on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET in a game airing on ESPN.

Juwan Howard impressed by play of Kobe Bufkin

Michigan won the big one, defeating rival Ohio State 77-69 at home on Sunday. Star center Hunter Dickinson had yet another strong performance, leading all players in points and rebounds with 26 points and 11 rebounds. But sophomore guard Kobe Bufkin had a solid game as well, and has stepped up big for the Wolverines all season in his second year.

Howard spoke about Bufkin’s recent play, his buy-in, and how he’s evolved as a player following their win over the Buckeyes.

“Kobe, he’s been solid all year. He’s one of the young men that has had a buy in since the time he stepped foot on campus,” Howard said. “Last season it’s very challenging when you come from a high school that you were the focal point, you were the guy and then you join a team where other guys were the guy, the main focal point on their high school team and it takes guys to make an adjustment.”

His offensive output and leap has been evident, but he also has improved on the defensive end according to Howard, leading the team in steals per game and improving immensely in his on-ball defense.

“So Kobe was patient knowing that his timetable was a little different from others and waiting his turn. But then putting in the work in the offseason, so you see how this young man has improved defensively,” Howard said. “And I start with that because last year defensively there were times where he’d get blown by or he was not engaged defensively and there were a lot of different concepts that took him a time to learn and there was a learning curve with that. And that’s a part of it when you have a freshman.”

Howard added, “So like now the second year he has a bigger role, he’s earned it, and that’s what makes it so special to see the process is moving in the right direction because of the buy-in he’s had in the beginning.”