Michigan basketball needs more of the same from DeVante' Jones

Michigan transfer guard DeVante’ Jones had a great summer, to the point that he considered entering the NBA Draft. He excelled head-to-head against former U-M point guard Mike Smith, getting the better of him at the G-League Combine. Many even expected he’d be an upgrade.

Smith, of course, had an outstanding year in his one season in a Michigan uniform, helping lead the Wolverines to a Big Ten title. But many projected Coastal Carolina transfer Jones to be a better two-way player, his size working to his advantage.

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It hasn’t played out that way — yet. There are signs it could, though, including a 13-point game in a win over Southern Utah that was more of what we expected. The Michigan point guard made all three of his triples, added six assists and only turned it over once in the 87-50 victory.

“I saw a guy that was not overthinking it,” head coach Juwan Howard said. “He was able to take advantage of what the defense gave him. There were times when they went under on screens and he didn’t second-guess himself, just sat in there and took his shot — something that we’ve always talked about, no matter what, make or miss.

“He also did a really good job getting to the basket, touching the paint, making a place for others or also finishing. He came out with a burst that was pretty special, and we’re going to need that burst throughout the year.”

He’s capable. This is the guy who averaged 19 points for Coastal Carolina last year, after all, and played great defense.

There have been indications both in practice and games that he’s getting there.

“He’s been working extremely hard in practice,” Michigan assistant Howard Eisley said. “He’s been playing with a lot more confidence lately. We all knew he was capable of playing the way he played the last game.

“We just need him to continue to play that way and be aggressive on both ends of the floor. One thing we were happy with was how he pushed the pace of the game. I really think that got him going on both ends of the floor.”

The Michigan point guard didn’t hesitate at all, either, when Southern Utah left him alone behind the arc.

“I think that’s a good shot for him. We would like for it to happen in the flow of the game instead of coming out pressing for the shot early,” Eisley said. “We’ve spent a lot of time working on what to do when teams try to get under our ball screen.”

Jones has been hesitant to shoot, at times, but he’s now up to 36.8 percent from long range.

“We know if he is able to make some shots, it will open up the rest of our game,” Eisley continued. “They would hopefully have to change their coverage.

“We don’t want him coming out pressing feeling like he has to make every shot, or has to make it when they go under. We have other things we can do to hurt teams if they go under our ball screen.”

But when it’s there, they need him to shoot it with confidence. He hesitated at times against Minnesota, and the lack of faith showed in a 75-65 loss. He scored 14 points, including eight at the rim to start the second half. When it came time to shoot, though, he hesitated. He went 0-for-4 despite some wide-open looks.

Foul trouble has also been an issue at times for the Michigan guard, though he’s been better recently. He picked up four against Minnesota, but he’s been at two or less in four of his last six games.

Howard sees progress, and that’s what he’s looking for. If it continues, Michigan will have a chance to reach its lofty potential.

“I think he’s been extremely … I would say very reserved in some ways,” the Michigan coach said. “Also, he’s accepted the coaching and the teaching that’s been delivered his way from either myself, coach Eisley, and others. He’s also taken ownership of times he’s made mistakes, like his teammates have, and he’s never deflected or pointed the finger or made excuses. And I respect the guy. 

“Like I’ve always said, and I’ve told you guys this — I’m in the trenches with him and I support him. I’m always going to support him, because he’s one of us. He’s part of our family.”

Every family has its ebbs and flows. Jones is still working to fit, but he made big strides last game and has the potential for even more.