WATCH: Mike Boynton Jr., Phat Phat Brooks, Nimari Burnett preview Michigan matchup with TCU, more
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines basketball assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr., freshman guard Phat Phat Brooks and graduate guard Nimari Burnett met with the media Thursday afternoon ahead of their team’s game against TCU Friday night at Crisler Center. Watch their sessions with the media below.
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Assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr.
Freshman guard Phat Phat Brooks
Graduate guard Nimari Burnett
Boynton, who’s one of the assistant coaches most in charge of Michigan’s defensive operation, discussed how the Wolverines have performed on that side of the floor so far this season, through two games.
“A lot to improve on,” Boynton said. “But we’ve made significant progress from the time we got here. And a lot of it is just continuity and guys getting reps with each other, understanding each others’ strengths, undersanding where we can help where some guys have weaknesses.
“But overall, two games, been pretty pleased with our effort on the defensive end. Obviously, we had some turnovers that led to some easy baskets, but for the most part on Sunday against Wake, our defense sort of held the line for the most part.
“Had some offensive issues, particularly late, that we need to clean up. Our defense has a long way to go, but I like the progress we’ve made since June.”
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Michigan hasn’t played well on the defensive glass, allowing 11 offensive rebounds to Wake Forest, and improving that is a point of emphasis going forward.
“Yeah, that’s an area we gotta continue to emphasize,” Boynton said. “I think I looked it up today, I think we have the sixth tallest team in terms of average height in the country, according to Kenpom. And so not that height necessarily correlates with rebounding always, because sometimes smaller guys just have a knack of finding the ball. But it should be a strength of this team, with the composite size we have, when you talk about even guys like [junior guard] Roddy Gayle [Jr.], who can be a better rebounder for us than he’s been so far. [Sophomore forward] Sam Walters can stick his nose in there. He’s not the strongest kid, but he can stick his nose in there. Nimari, guys like that.
“Obviously, everybody points to our bigs, but a lot of times what happens, honestly, is teams put one or two guys on them and they’re in a battle.”
