Redshirt year beneficial for Michigan forward Will Tschetter: 'I can contribute a lot more now'

Five games into the 2021-22 season, just after Michigan Wolverines basketball lost to Arizona last November, head coach Juwan Howard held a sit-down meeting with freshman forward Will Tschetter. The topic was the plan for his season, and the reason why Howard and the staff felt like it was in both the best interest of the program and Tschetter to redshirt.

Howard wanted the 6-8, 230-pounder to improve in all areas, but especially with his basketball I.Q., defense and strength and conditioning.

It was challenging at first. Tschetter told Brian Boesch on the Defend The Block podcast that it was sometimes difficult to convince himself that sitting out and focusing on development would benefit him in the long run. But after having some time to reflect and heading into his second year with the Michigan program, Tschetter feels it was the right call.

“I feel like that was huge for me, being able to come into my actual freshman year with really a year of learning and development and knowing the culture of the program,” Tschetter said. “I feel like that’s going to be super beneficial in the long run, for not only me but the program in general.

“I feel like I can contribute a lot more now than I would’ve been able to. Part of me is wishing I could’ve played, but another part of me is super happy with the decision and what’s to come.”

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Tschetter’s classmate, guard/forward Isaiah Barnes, is also slated to redshirt. He played in two games last season but is appealing to get the year of eligibility back.

“[Being in] the same boat Isaiah and I were in, that really brought us together,” Tschetter explained. “We were on a separate lifting plan than everyone [else], so before games we were lifting together.

“Obviously, spending a lot more time with him, both on the practice squad. We were always together. Those conversations we had were like, this is good for both of us. We were both really happy for the decision that went into it. Going forward, I think we both knew what the benefit was going to be with what happened.”

Tschetter is already noticing the results. Working out with Michigan strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson helped his strength and athleticism, and he’s improved on both ends of the floor.

“My game has developed a ton, just with the physical aspect,” Tschetter explained. “When I first got here, I was fairly skinny. I was not able to do things that I can do now. The physicality has really developed. I feel like my overall skill set, being able to shoot out of different situations, [has developed, too]. Just my game as a whole.

“Defensively, I was very poor coming in. I feel like I’ve developed that a ton, just getting in so many extra reps with the scout team. You’re literally playing 30 minutes of scrimmage every day against that starting five. That was super beneficial, to be able to really lock in and get that coaching from every single person on the coaching staff. Just to be able to go forward and keep the ball rolling.”

Tschetter also did a lot of observing. He was able to be a first-hand witness to the Michigan culture and how it can carry a team through a season. The Maize and Blue endured tough losses and saw their head coach and multiple players suspended last season, among other adversity. In the end, they were right back in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, having peaked at the right time. That’s a testament to the culture, Tschetter said.

“A lot of programs put it out there, like they’re establishing their culture. And in some ways, it’s all B.S. throughout the recruiting process,” Tschetter said. “I feel like it was something that I identified when I did commit, that it seemed super genuine.

“And going forward throughout the season, our mantra was to get one percent better. We really established that, and every single day we’re looking to improve on one or two things. This season, especially with some of the struggles we had, it was more important than ever that we really stood true to that. Most of the dudes really locked in and bought into the culture.

“‘For competitors only’ — that’s not taken lightly. Every day, you have to be able to come in and lock in and be able to compete at the highest level. If you don’t, then you’re definitely going to either hear about it or you’re gonna feel it in a way or something is not gonna go well for you if you’re not locked in for practice. 

‘For competitors only,’ ‘one percent,’ and just the family that we developed are real. The coaching staff and the players have done a really good job of embracing that and buying into the Michigan basketball family.”

Next season, Michigan may need Tschetter to step up. Sophomores-to-be Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate have yet to withdraw from the NBA Draft and have only until June 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET to do so. If one or more do indeed depart the program, wing and forward depth will be tested.