Wolverine TV: Phil Martelli, Michigan players react to huge win over Rutgers
Michigan basketball associate head coach Phil Martelli, who’s filling in for suspended head man Juwan Howard, met with the media following the Maize and Blue’s 71-62 win over Rutgers Wednesday night. Fifth-year senior guard DeVante’ Jones and freshman wing Caleb Houstan also spoke with reporters.
Martelli discussed Michigan’s coaching staff and raved about the job assistants Saddi Washington and Howard Eisley did. Washington called the defense, as he normally does, and Eisley was making all of the offensive calls. Typically, it’s a collaboration between Howard and Eisley, but with the head man out, the assistant took over.
Martelli’s pregame message to the Michigan players was to be the best version of themselves, and he was pleased with how the results turned out. Houstan posted his first career 20-plus point game with 21 points, nailing five of his nine attempts from three-point range. Jones had 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Houstan’s hot night opened the floor up for the rest of the team — after all, Michigan is 9-0 when he scores 13 or more points. That included sophomore forward Hunter Dickinson, who registered 16 points and 11 rebounds, marking his seventh double double of the season. Fifth-year senior guard Eli Brooks was also in double figures with 11 points. His huge three late in the game but the icing on the cake for Michigan.
The win qualifies as a Quad 3 victory for Michigan, which still has work to do to make the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines have Illinois coming in Sunday, before hosting Michigan State and Iowa to cap off the four-game home stand. Many believe Michigan needs two more wins to feel comfortable about getting in the Big Dance heading into the Big Ten Tournament. The Maize and Blue are now 15-11 overall and 9-7 in Big Ten play. As of the conclusion of the contest, Michigan slotted eighth in the Big Ten standings. If the season ended now, that means the Wolverines would take on ninth-seeded Indiana in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament, after receiving a first-round bye.
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