Watch CBS News

Michigan Coach Howard Has To Replace Lots Of Scoring

Juwan Howard will have an immediate chance to put his stamp on the Michigan program.

This is no rebuilding project — not with the Wolverines coming off their third straight Sweet 16 appearance — but there has been enough turnover in Ann Arbor that it is hard to know what to expect this coming season. Michigan didn't just lose coach John Beilein, who went to the NBA and was replaced by Howard. The Wolverines also lost Iggy Brazdeikis, Jordan Poole and Charles Matthews, their top three scorers from 2018-19.

NCAA Basketball Tournament - West Regional - Anaheim
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a call during the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Honda Center on March 28, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

With so many ties to Beilein's successful tenure already gone, this very much feels like Howard's program now.

"It's been fun. It's been great for me, as my first time as a head coach, with all the ideas bouncing around in my head, with all the information that I've gathered, tucked away in my file, to now bring it to life," Howard said. "It's also made me lose a lot of sleep too, because my brain is always working."

If Michigan were returning more starters, perhaps the transition from Beilein to Howard would be a more gradual change, but the start of the season is full of unknowns. The Wolverines played a distinctive style under Beilein, shooting a lot of 3-pointers, spacing the floor well and keeping turnovers to a minimum. Howard takes over a clean slate of sorts, with so many key players to replace.

The staff of assistants is new as well and includes former Saint Joseph's coach Phil Martelli.

Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament - Quarterfinals
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: Head coach Phil Martelli of the Saint Joseph's Hawks looks on against the George Washington Colonials during the Quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament at the Barclays Center on March 11, 2016 in New York, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

"They're all hands on deck," forward Isaiah Livers said. "They just want players to be good. They just want them to be just better than the previous year, getting that mindset of just growing each year. I can say honestly that every player has grown from last year."

TOP RETURNERS

Michigan will be able to lean on a couple seniors who were important members of last season's team. Point guard Zavier Simpson and center Jon Teske are both back. Simpson in particular has been a driving force behind the defensive resurgence that led the Wolverines to the Final Four in 2018 and to more success last season. The 7-foot-1 Teske averaged 9.5 points last season and blocked 75 shots. He also made 23 3-pointers.

NCAA Basketball Tournament - West Regional - Anaheim
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines drives against Matt Mooney #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 28, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

HIGH HOPES

Freshman Franz Wagner arrives amid a good deal of fanfare. He's the younger brother of former Michigan standout Moe Wagner. Franz, however, will have to wait to begin his college career. He's expected to be out at least until the latter half of November with a fractured wrist.

BACKCOURT OPTIONS

Howard mentioned David DeJulius, Eli Brooks and Adrien Nunez when asked about the competition at the other guard spot alongside Simpson. Brooks averaged 12.9 minutes a game last season, and DeJulius played more sparingly. Howard said Nunez is one of the best shooters on the team.

"I have a team that loves to get in the gym," Howard said. "That's what it's about."

BIGGER ROLE?

Livers started 22 games as a freshman but mostly came off the bench last season as a sophomore. His 3-point percentage improved from 36 to 43, and he can expect plenty of opportunities in 2019-20, given how much scoring Michigan lost. Teske is the team's top returning scorer, followed by Simpson (8.8 ppg) and Livers (7.9).

NCAA Basketball Tournament - West Regional - Anaheim
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Jon Teske #15 of the Michigan Wolverines fights for position against Norense Odiase #32 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 28, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

SCHEDULE

The Wolverines open the season Nov. 5 against Appalachian State. Their nonconference schedule also includes Creighton on Nov. 12. They play at an event in the Bahamas in late November that includes a matchup with Iowa State and a possible meeting with No. 9 North Carolina. Michigan plays at No. 5 Louisville on Dec. 3 and starts conference play three days later against Iowa.

© 2019 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.