WATCH: Juwan Howard reacts to Michigan basketball loss to Iowa, Sherrone Moore hire as football coach
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines basketball head coach Juwan Howard met with the media following his team’s 88-78 loss to Iowa Saturday evening at Crisler Center. Watch video of his press conference in the player at the top of the screen or on our YouTube channel.
Michigan had some success on the interior offensively in the first half but was completely shut down in the final 20 minutes, when it shot just 9-of-32 from the field.
“I would just say it was some well contested shots with Iowa’s defense,” Howard said. “And then also, looking at some of the post doubles that were coming their way in the second half by [Tony] Perkins, maybe cause some disruption, as well. But overall, we gotta do a better job. I know you didn’t ask this question, but a 10-0 run in the second half — we can’t allow that to happen.
“What I judged — and obviously I’m going to go back and watch it on film — just seeing it in live action, it was like you give up a tough, contested shot or a three by [Payton] Sandfort or a backdoor cut, and that of course carried over to the offense, because in your thoughts and in your head, you’re disappointed with those possessions that they converted on that led to some of the frustration on the offensive end.
Continued the Michigan coach: “But before that, I thought our offense made a big time adjustment as well as a huge improvement of sharing the basketball. We did a really good job of moving the ball, making the plays, getting some good drives, dump-offs, but that stretch in the second half really hurt us big time.”
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Michigan had a nine point lead in the first half but collapsed, which has been a theme in recent games. Howard was asked about what the issues have been maintaining or extending leads.
“They went on a 10-0 run, and we will look at it on film,” Howard said. “We just can’t allow that, especially teams that are on the road, give them life that way. Then, the confidence, the basket gets a little bit bigger and the ball may bounce in because of the lack of … whether it’s defensive breakdowns, lack of communication on the defensive end or a drive that leads to a layup for them. You look at the stat sheet, the amount of points that they scored in the paint, giving up only 18 in the first half — not saying 18 is a small [number]. It is too many points in the paint, but to give up 34 points in the paint, that is a major problem for us.”
Michigan is back in action Tuesday night at Michigan State, a 9 p.m. tip at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
