Juwan Howard: Michigan basketball going to 'lean on' Jett Howard 'a lot this year'

Michigan Wolverines basketball has seven newcomers to its roster. Naturally, several of those players will be big-time contributors, after the Maize and Blue lost four of their top five scorers from a year ago.

Head coach Juwan Howard landed his son, four-star freshman wing Jett Howard, a projected starter heading into the start of the 2022-23 campaign. He was part of the first five on the floor during the Wolverines’ August trip to Europe.

Howard scored in double figures in both of Michigan’s full overseas exhibition games, scoring 16 and 11 points, respectively, on 10-of-21 shooting.

His father and head coach has been pleased with the way he’s acclimated to the team.

“He has no other choice,” Juwan Howard joked on the Inside Michigan Basketball radio show with hosts Brian Boesch and Terry Mills. “But no, give the young man credit. He’s always been passionate about this game of basketball, a student of the game, has a great work ethic. It’s just no surprise on how his growth has been trending in the right direction.”

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The 6-8, 215-pounder will likely start at the ‘3,’ but he’s versatile, and Michigan’s system is “position-less” to a certain extent. The Maize and Blue have thin depth in the backcourt, and Howard can step in there, too.

“He’s going to be one of those young men that we’re going to lean on a lot this year,” Juwan Howard said. “With good health and as he continues to — which he will — learn … there are some special things that are going to happen with him. I don’t know [if it will be] this year, next year. Who knows? But we just wish for good health.”

Dug McDaniel buzz continues

Michigan held its media day a few weeks back, and freshman point guard Dug McDaniel was the talk of the event. The 5-11, 160-pounder is diminutive, but he’s scrappy and skilled. He’ll be needed to play as a backup to graduate Jaelin Llewellyn, a Princeton transfer, and alongside his fellow point guard.

Howard was asked which freshman has surprised him the most. He wouldn’t call McDaniel a “surprise,” but he did point to McDaniel as one who’s impressed.

“All of them have been special, but when I name this young man, it doesn’t mean that I did not know that he would come in and have an impact,” Howard said. “But I will say this, he’s going to be an exciting player to watch this year. 

“Michigan fans are going to really enjoy cheering for him, and that’s Dug McDaniel. The way that he’s picked up what’s asked of him, how do make his teammates better. He’s being another coach on the floor. I’m hearing his voice in practice. He’s like a little sponge, man. And then to be able to apply it, that’s pretty mature, but it’s also high level.”

Mills, a former Michigan forward and 1989 national champion, shared his observation that McDaniel plays with an “edge.”

“That’s another reason why I’ve always loved Dug’s game from the first time I saw him play in third grade,” Howard added. “And then I watched him grow each year, and I just see nothing but improvement. I’m like, OK, you’re the head coach at the University of Michigan. OK, let me start this timetable. Dug McDaniel? Jett Howard? [Freshman forward] Gregg Glenn? They’re with me.”

Michigan redshirt freshmen ready to impact

Not only does Michigan have seven newcomers, but it also has two redshirt freshmen who will also be first-time college players — forward Will Tschetter and guard Isaiah Barnes. Barnes actually made two appearances last season but applied for a redshirt.

Howard believes both are ready to step in.

“They put in a lot of work — a ton of work — last year of being on the scout team, getting reps consistently,” Howard said. “And that’s a part of their growth. You can see now this summer, the work they put in, in the weight room, the work they put in, in the gym. We go over to Europe, and you can just see how they played well and looked comfortable. The game has slowed down to them.

“This season, it’s not going to be any surprise. They just trusted the process, and everyone’s process is different than others. They have been bought in, and it’s nice to see each day in practice they’re always ready to roll, the understand the concepts. They’re also teaching it to the freshmen and to the newcomers. 

“I just see Isaiah and Will having a big impact for our team this year.”