Phil Martelli shares message to Brandon Johns after suspensions

Following the postgame incident between the Michigan Wolverines and Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday afternoon, assistant coach Phil Martelli must find ways to fill the gap left by Juwan Howard and Moussa Diabate, starting with Brandon Johns.

During his first press conference in charge, Phil Martelli shared his message to Brandon Johns ahead of Wednesday’s game against Rutgers.

“I expect them to be the very best they can be,” said Martelli. “I’m in a similar role to them, I’m not Juwan Howard, I am not. And Brandon Johns is not Moussa (Diabate), so be the best Brandon Johns. And be able to walk out of here tomorrow night and say, ‘that was as good as I could give.’ And guess what? Take Thursday off and come back Friday and be better than you were on Wednesday.

“You can’t come up with a gameplan and say, ‘Moussa averages 8.1, how are we going to get 8.1.’ No, that’s not gonna work. But if Brandon Johns walks in here tomorrow night with his head up, his mind clear and heart knowing that we need the best Brandon Johns in order to beat Rutgers, then that’ll be good enough. And that’s the message to all the guys.”

Diabate will be able to come back after the one-game suspension, while coach Howard remains suspended through the end of the regular season. In the meantime, the mentality states that each player must perform as their best selves.

Phil Martelli shares more about Juwan Howard

Michigan associate head coach Phil Martelli, who formerly served as the head coach at St. Joe’s, will once again be leading a program, as he’s been named the Wolverines’ acting head coach while Juwan Howard serves his suspension.

When asked if he will have verbal contact with Howard throughout his time as acting head coach, Martelli answered simply, “yes.”

“Juwan is my friend,” Martelli said. “I feel tremendously responsible to my friends to make sure they’re doing well. … Juwan is very remorseful, and today is a little better than yesterday.”

Martelli was also asked what Howard’s immediate reaction was following Sunday’s scuffle.

“(Howard) did not speak to the players on Sunday (immediately after the game),” Martelli said. “It was a very heartfelt text exchange very late at night on Sunday.”

Immediately after the game, Howard did not apologize for his actions. However, he did release a statement following the suspension acknowledging his wrongs while accepting the decision.