Analyst: Michigan coach Juwan Howard still recruiting at a high level
Basketball recruiting has never been easy, but it’s even harder for Michigan and others in this era of immediate transfer eligibility and kids with eyes on the pros. Michigan head coach Juwan Howard and his staff, however, continue to bring in high-level recruits that fit what they want to do.
On3.com analyst Jamie Shaw is among those impressed with his approach.
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“He’s recruiting at a high level. He continuously gets good kids,” he said. “Last year, he recruited a class that was kind of one-and-done heavy, or so they thought coming in. And I like this class a lot because now he’s bringing in multi-year guys [to complement them]. There are multiple guys in this class that have a potential to be three-year starters and win a lot of games. You have to have those types of guys on the team.”
It takes star power, too. And yes, there are some with that next-level potential in big man Tarris Reed and wing Jett Howard. Point guard Dug McDaniel and forward Gregg Glenn have unique skills, as well.
“There are guys that are just under the NBA radar but high-level college players. They’ll stay for two or three years so he can get that continuity,” Shaw said. “I think Tarris Reed has got a chance to be a star. Jett Howard is somebody who has a chance to be a really, really good college player that wins a ton of games. The other kids have unique stuff to them, but both have question marks where they could just soar and be great players.”
Overall, he said, “it’s a really good class.”
“This is the type of class with the ability you need to continue the upward trajectory of the program,” Shaw said.
How much they’ll contribute in year one remains to be seen, but there’s plenty of talent — and great character accompanying it. But there’s one other thing in addition to talent and fit they’ll be looking for, Michigan assistant Phil Martelli said.
“This is a really really, really big deal in recruiting going forward — the IQ it takes to play here is extraordinary,” he said, “It’s extraordinary. I don’t care if you’re a rotation guy or a scout team guy. Man, I’ve been blown away.”
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And it’s all part of the plan. Sometimes it will click right away, the Michigan assistant noted. With others, it might take a year or two.
Regardless, he said, it’s something they’ll try to identify in the recruiting process. The offensive and defensive playbooks are bigger than he’s ever seen, Martelli said, and it takes some ‘want to’ to embrace it.
There are a few who seem ready to take the next step based on their understanding.
“One of the guys that’s most improved this year … I would say Jace Howard,” he said. “But nobody would have seen him [in practice]. Isaiah Barnes was unbelievable, and it was all scout team stuff. He came a long way. Came a long way.”
Whether they compete for time at Michigan this year, we still don’t know. But they’ve put themselves in position, Martelli said, with their understanding of the game.
That’s going to continue to be a priority going forward.
