Juwan Howard on son Jett: 'He's saying he's going to play'

Michigan freshman win Jett Howard went down with an ankle injury in Sunday’s win over Minnesota, one that kept him out of the second half. He didn’t practice yesterday, but there have been rumblings he’s gearing to play Thursday night against No. 1 Purdue.

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Head coach Juwan Howard confirmed Wednesday it might be a possibility.

“Jett is going through the rehab treatment. In Jett’s mind, he’s saying he’s going to play,” the Michigan head coach said. “But it’s all about the health, and health is more important than any game. We want to have a healthy Jett out there instead of a guy who’s hobbling. He just wants to be there to help his team because that’s how he’s wired mentally. He’s also a competitor, and he wants to win. He feels that when he’s not playing, he’s not helping the team.

“So, the key is just continuing to go through the rehab treatment and just try to help him get healthy. When I see that he’s ready to go, health-wise, then that’s when he’s going to be ready to play. I’m not saying that’s going to be next game — I don’t know when it’s going to be.”

But it would help against a Purdue team that just seems to find a way to win. The Boilermakers have pulled out some tight ones on the road on the way to an 8-1 conference record, led by big man Zach Edey.

“It’s so obvious that they play through Zach Edey in the post, just going back to the special year that he’s having thus far, leading his team be No. 1 ranked in the country with one loss versus Rutgers,” Howard continued. “They also do a very good job of offensive rebounds. They know Zach is going to shoot the ball if it in the post with a one-on-one matchup, and they get themselves in great position to get a second opportunity.

“They also play well from the perimeter with those two freshmen. [Braden Smith] is having a good year as well as Fletcher Loyer. They’re very patient offensively. They don’t make too many mistakes. They do a great job of taking care of the basketball. And then lastly, defensively … everyone talks a lot about their offense, but their defense is nationally ranked. They do a good job of protecting the paint, the 3-point line, they get back in transition, and they make you work for every bucket that you get.”

Michigan junior center Hunter Dickinson will be tasked with slowing Edey, one of the country’s best post scorers. But it’s not going to be an individual matchup with the two, Howard said … at least not on the Michigan side. They’ll throw a number of looks on him and hope for the best.

They also need to be the more physical squad, the Michigan coach added. The Boilermakers are averaging 12-plus offensive rebounds per game, and Michigan has had a tough year at times keeping teams off the glass.

They’ll need to pick the poison, as coaches say, because Purdue can shoot it so well, too.

“Beating you up in the paint, whether it’s Edey finishes or Edey put-backs or lay-ups by Smith … we can’t allow them to shoot open threes, especially in transition by Loyer and [Caleb] Furst and [Ethan] Morton and Smith. I can keep going. They’re No. 1 for a reason. They’re very good.”

But Michigan can be, too, he insisted. And as he said after the win over Minnesota, the Wolverines are in second place in the conference at 5-3.

“Damn right I’m pleased with how my team is playing. You’re second in the Big Ten. You’re still fighting and clawing,” he said Wednesday. “You’ve had some heartbreaking losses, whether it’s in non-conference or Big Ten, and we’re still giving out the energy and effort. The buy-in is still real, and there’s a lot more season to be played. Yes, of course, I love the way our team is playing.

“Granted … there are some times when we’ve gotten away from some of our habits. But that part will continue to keep growing, and I trust it will. And we will continue to keep teaching.”

There are pieces. It’s time, though, to put them together, starting Thursday night in Ann Arbor.