Michigan notebook: DeVante’ Jones’ status in doubt ... zone saves the day

Michigan veteran guard DeVante’ Jones missed the NCAA Tournament opening win against Colorado State, in concussion protocol. He played only 11:35 in the first half of a 76-68 win over Tennessee and didn’t return for the second stanza. 

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Jones was minus-nine in his minutes on the court. 

Freshman Frankie Collins replaced him in the lineup and notched two points, two assists and two rebounds in 30 minutes of action. He also had two turnovers. 

Head coach Juwan Howard said he wasn’t sure of Jones’ status going forward. 

“I was told by my trainer at halftime that he couldn’t go in the second half, and that’s all I can tell you,” Howard said. “With that, help is everything with us. It was hurtful to see that he couldn’t come back in the second half because this kid, he wanted to be a part of [it]. He’s been living for this moment, his first time being in the NCAA Tournament.

“But what he did in the first half was pretty impressive, too. Not having practices, then coming out there and giving everything he could. But Frankie stepped up once again. And I recruited him; I know what he can do.”

Jones joined the team yesterday in Indianapolis and practiced with the group. He’d taken an inadvertent elbow to the nose in practice Tuesday that kept him home for the opener. 

The guard rotation for the Sweet 16 in San Antonio will have to play out this week, dependent on Jones’ health.

“They’re different guards, but they both add something totally different that I feel puts a lot of pressure on our opponent-s,” Howard said. 

Eli Brooks steps up for Jones

Michigan fifth-year senior guard and captain Eli Brooks is no stranger to the postseason, having played in the biggest games on the biggest stages. It was no surprise, then, that he came up huge down the stretch. 

Brooks finished with 23 points, five assists and three rebounds in the win. He also handled more or the ball handling duties with Jones out. 

“I always said Xavier Simpson was one of the best leaders to ever put on a Michigan uniform,” Howard said. “But I also have to give that, 1A, 1B, to Eli Brooks. He’s everything when it comes to being a Michigan man. What he’s done on the floor, what he’s done off the floor, with his development, growing as a man, being able to adjust to different cultures — Coach [John] Beilein and now myself.

“We’ve been together for three years, and this young man earned the right to be a captain at the University of Michigan because [of his] growth. It’s going to be tough to replace a guy like that. He’s irreplaceable.”

Fittingly, Brooks pulled out a Simpson staple down the stretch, hitting a running hook shot to put the Wolverines up four with 53 seconds remaining. He then made key free throws down the stretch to help ice it.

“If he ever wants a job, wants to join my coaching staff — if he ever wanted to get into coaching, I would truly hire him because he’s a smart player,” Howard said. “He knows how to play. He has an infectious personality that people enjoy being around.”

Switch to zone changed the game

None of the Michigan guards could contain Tennessee freshman point guard Kennedy Chandler. He put on a clinic getting to the rim in the second half and finished with 19 points and nine assists. 

Howard switched to zone with about eight minutes to go, however, and that made the difference. Tennessee got open triples, but the Vols couldn’t knock them down. The packed lane also gave the guards less room to move. 

“It definitely helped keep Kennedy Chandler as well as [Zakai] Zeigler out of the paint,” Howard said. “They’re very smart, crafty, fast guards that do a very good job of getting in the paint, making plays at the rim.”

Frosh Moussa Diabate notched three blocked shots and sophomore center Hunter Dickinson erased one as well, Howard noted. 

“They do a good job of sealing to keep our bigs on their back,” he said. “But Moussa, Hunter — there were moments when they contested the rim, made some winning plays, whether it was a blocked shot or altered some shots. 

“But Kennedy is tough. He’s one of the best guards we’ve faced all year.”

Howard recruited him hard, in fact. Chandler grew up playing his sons Jace and Jett Howard. Howard embraced him in the handshake line and gave him some words of encouragement.

“He said to keep my head up. It’s tough for me, and he knew I wanted to get the win,” Chandler said. “I know him. I’ve played with his sons since, like, fourth grade. So, I’ve know him for a long time.

“He’s a great coach. I love him. He told me to keep my head up and you played your heart out. That’s what he told me.”