Brandon Johns Appreciation Thread
I know that the sum total of his career isn't what any of us were hoping for and likely Brandon feels the same way.
But he gets a tip of my hat for spurning Izzo and putting in 4 years of hard work for Michigan.
Tonight although, like the rest of the team, he struggled offensively he was very solid defensively.
Thank you Brandon and I wish you great success in whatever your future holds.
March 25th, 2022 at 12:04 AM ^
We'll always have those 78 times that I thought you were starting to finally figure things out. And that little tournament hot streak last season.
March 25th, 2022 at 12:06 AM ^
Wish him luck wherever he winds up. Could never put it all together and had a down senior season (highlighted by him getting yanked after tying his shoe while NW (?) players ran down the court for a score), but still had some moments and never gave up and seemingly accepted his role without major complaint.
I plugged into Brandon and his struggles early, got swept up in the drama. I expended a lot of sweat worrying when he was on the floor. Think I am a little out of gas, will be relieved to move on.
March 25th, 2022 at 12:13 AM ^
John’s took a lot of shit from this blog but seemed like a good guy who worked hard, never complained, and - like the OP said - spurned Izzo to come here. He also was a solid contributor to a lot of good teams. Thanks for all you did, Brandon.
johns reminded me of horford. he just never really seemed into "it". and that is disappointing. that said, he has a UM degree. get out there and make something of it.
March 25th, 2022 at 10:32 AM ^
I agree. As I watched Johns in the game, I thought, "well, at least Johns doesn't have to play college basketball anymore." He hasn't looked like he enjoyed playing for the past couple of years.
March 25th, 2022 at 12:17 AM ^
BRANDON JOHNS, JR. COMES BACK FOR ANOTHER YEAR, FINALLY REACHING HIS POTENTIAL, AND LEADS THE TEAM TO A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!! </HOTTEST TAKE>
March 25th, 2022 at 12:23 AM ^
Agreed, I'd bet Brandon is a great person and wish him well. He never put it all together in game but there's a lot of work that goes into sticking around for 4 years.
March 25th, 2022 at 12:38 AM ^
Brandon always stayed humble and did his best. I am proud to call him a wolverine. Congrats and thanks for 4 years of effort and commitment Brandon! You were a part of many wins for a team that competed well nationally for all your years. B1G champion, national runner up, wolverine forever!
March 25th, 2022 at 12:42 AM ^
Dude seemed like he worked hard on the floor.
I bet he could make a good tight end.
My bet is LB
March 25th, 2022 at 12:51 AM ^
His defense gave the team a chance tonight and he was key last year filling in for Livers. Appreciated.
March 25th, 2022 at 12:52 AM ^
i think BJJ is a great kid...
for whatever reason, neither Beilein or Howard could unlock that ability. I had high hopes for him after the Elite 8 run, as he did admirably filling in for Livers.
But he never got back to that level, except for some flashes.
I hope that he does find a place to continue to play basketball however...
March 25th, 2022 at 12:12 PM ^
When Johns was playing his best, he was pretty damn good relative to his peers. It just wasn't remotely repeatable, for whatever reason. He got blocked down low too many times to count. Turned it over too many times for the small number of minutes played. Wasn't a consistent enough shooter. But generally a pretty good defender.
We needed him to be more than a role player this season though.
Definitely seems like a great kid. I saw a post on Twitter by Phil Martelli's daughter that showed a picture with Brandon and her son, saying how great he's always been with her kids. Class act, just felt like if he could get a couple shots to fall he'd gain some confidence bc the skill set was there. Good luck to the young man!
Cliche but true: He seems a good person and that is far more important than being a rich pro athlete.
Great program guy and love that he stayed all four year. It's a bummer it just didn't work out for him this year. But ... his defense was very bad tonight. Let's be honest. He wasn't the only one either. I'd love a UFR on this game to be honest.
No UFR is needed to know that Villanova's offense was ranked #8 in adjusted efficiency and that Michigan's defense held them to well below their average and the Kenpom projection for the game.
Ease up on the held part. Nova missed a ton of open looks. That game could have been so much worse
We missed a bunch of open looks too. That is basketball.
When you play good defense sometimes it speeds the offense up just enough that they get out of rhythm.
I only watched half the game. While 'Nova made some nice shots with a quick release I don't think I saw them get many wide-open looks.
March 25th, 2022 at 11:41 AM ^
His career did not pan out but he did not play particularly bad against Villanova. His defense was no worse than Moussa who was constantly lost. BJJ actually had pretty good shot selection as well especially compared to the other forwards. Moussa was throwing up garbage running hooks from near the free throw line and Twill took a couple of horrible threes. I don’t think any of the three played particularly well but to single out Brandon for bad play against Villanova is ridiculous.
lol.
I admit that, like others, the lack of apparent production would annoy me on occasion, and it did last night, but then someone would point out his defensive statistics and I would calm down considerably. He was quite serviceable in that respect, and I sometimes forget that many players have made careers on that premise.
Good luck to him wherever he might go, and as I like to say, wherever you go, remember to Go Blue.
I agree. I also agree that I WISH I had his height and athleticism, because I feel like I could make a layup. One of the most frustrating players I've ever watched, but always a great attitude and always came in ready to go... Is what it is
Hopefully he gets some sleep. Kid looks like he never rests.
March 25th, 2022 at 10:07 AM ^
It's got to be all those horror movies keeping him up.
I'm sure he's a good kid who worked hard, did what the coaches told him to do, and never cheated his teammates out of a day of practice. That's all you can really ask for, and we have to remember that at the end of the day, its just a game. It's just entertainment.
Hope he gets an opportunity to go play overseas, if he wants to continue playing.
I would have loved to see what a confident Brandon Johns could have done. It always seemed like he just couldn't get past a mental block. Juwan really tried to get him to play confidently and when it worked, it looked so good!
I hope he gets picked up somewhere in Europe that invests in a sports psychologist to work with him a bunch. Kid has all the tools just really needs to keep working on the mental aspect.
He will forever be a Michigan man.
I've been trying to come up with a football comp for BJJ and the best I could come up with was Ty Isaac. Both guys were pretty well-regarded recruits, and both, at times looked like they were going to be starter level players. Yet, it never seemed to come together and there never was any athletic issue as to why they weren't performing as they seemed capable in spurts.
He had his moments, he represented the program well, and had he stayed home in EL he would have played in 6 tournament games instead of 10. So he made the right call.
Love Brandon Johns and his hard work for the program. I also appreciated him sticking it to Izzo and for that he will always be a Michigan Man. Unfortunately, this is what I will remember of him on the court.
Brandon and Karen are now the two least favorite names for babies in America
Where's he going? Pro? He can come back for one more year guys.
March 25th, 2022 at 10:54 AM ^
Mr. Johns, it was great seeing your gritty effort on defense the past few days. I can't know how you felt about it but it looked like a breakthrough. Thank you for your continued hard work for Michigan, for your teammates, and for yourself.
March 25th, 2022 at 11:02 AM ^
I kind of felt he got lost in the transition when Beilein left. If JB would have been around for another season (or if covid didn't mess things up) he would have been able to mature like Livers did.
Admittedly, I was a bit critical of him on this board.
But he put in the work. I appreciate him for that.
March 25th, 2022 at 11:21 AM ^
I don't know if it would have been different under Beilein. Juwan's staff has been better at developing post players, if anything.
Johns finished last season strongly, when Livers was out. It seemed like when he was assured of consistent minutes, he relaxed and performed his best. When he had to compete for playing time, he seemed to look over his shoulder too much.
Interesting comment. Maybe BJJ has a case of the yips.
March 25th, 2022 at 11:14 AM ^
Despite his offensive struggles yesterday, I thought he was really good defensively. He had a number of stops in that 9-possession drought that Villanova had late in the first half where we briefly went up 22-20. The difference between him and Hunter when guarding quicker bigs is evident.
If he could have just developed some semblance of an arsenal on offense, he might have been a threat. And still could be going forward, either with UM or somewhere else.
Thanks for all the hard work and dedication Brandon
March 25th, 2022 at 11:54 AM ^
Thanks Brandon! I appreciate your hustle out there that last game, that 'D', and those blocks helped keep us in the game. Though the year didn't pan out exactly as you planned, it could have been great...but it wasn't. Do you have a Covid year? Come back! Work your ass off over the summer, get yourself into that place you know you can be, and help get this team back into the Sweet Sixteen and beyond. Regardless of what happens, the best of luck to you and yours!
Go Blue! (Glad you did 🙂)
March 25th, 2022 at 12:02 PM ^
He was playing hard last night - that will be my lasting impression
March 25th, 2022 at 12:53 PM ^
Played hard, stayed for four years, was a piece of continuity on an otherwise young team. Never really established an offensive role but the season is over and I wish him the best.
I'd like to take this opportunity to present Brandon Johns with a Certificate of Attendance. He was here, more or less.
Uncanny ability to get to the line when attacking the basket from the wing. Something of a niche thing, but there were times (like the scramble at the end of the UCLA game last year) when I found myself thinking that it should have been more of an option.
Found Brandon’s burner account.
I’m kidding. I’m sure he’s a decent dude, but I can’t say I’ll be broken up if I don’t see him on the sideline next season. I hope he does well in his next act.