DetNews article on Juwan Howard's offense

Submitted by Drew Henson's Backup on October 25th, 2019 at 1:37 PM

Link

Maybe I've missed it all, but I don't think I've seen a lot about how Howard intends to have Michigan play. We (supposedly) want to play fast, positionless basketball. There are some interesting quotes:

“We're a lot faster-paced team now,” DeJulius said. “We had an offensive mind and guru in Coach B. Now we have a coach that (preaches) toughness and allows our natural capabilities to flourish a little more this season.”

 

“You're allowing guys who maybe don't normally handle the ball as much, you're allowing them to be able to handle the ball more than say just your point guard or your secondary ball-handler. That's the way we want to play,” Eisley said.

 

"I think Coach B's system was complex to the point where it made you so understanding of the game,” Johns said. “Since Coach Howard came here I feel like everything has slowed down in a way. His system is simpler than what Coach B had. It's awesome because I feel a lot more confident in that way. I feel smarter on the court, I can see a lot more than I saw last year, so it's helping a lot.”

Get ready for some turnovers.

As for defense, we're going to be "gritty" and smart. Hmmkay. Defense is going to be Saddi's role now, too.

Should be fun...and interesting.

ak47

October 25th, 2019 at 1:41 PM ^

Michigan had an efficient offense meant to make up for a lack on individual play makers, recruit better and an offense that allows elite players to make plays outside the parameters of the offense is an option. We will probably have some stinkers but it also makes for a higher ceiling against a defense like texas tech

yossarians tree

October 25th, 2019 at 1:45 PM ^

Whether it will be better or not I don't know, but I think the change is necessary if we intend to have more of the one-and-done types coming through the program. Beilein's system took time for each player to learn and for teams to coalesce around it. Most of his NBA guys were here at least three years. Looks like Howard's rosters are going to be in constant flux year-to-year.

jmblue

October 25th, 2019 at 1:58 PM ^

Beilein's system took time for each player to learn and for teams to coalesce around it. Most of his NBA guys were here at least three years

Well...

Darius Morris - 2 years (one as a starter)

Trey Burke - 2 years

Tim Hardaway Jr - 3 years

GR III - 2 years

Mitch McGary - 2 years (only really played one)

Nik Stauskas - 2 years

Caris LeVert - 4 years (but injured for most of last two)

DJ Wilson - 3 years (one as a starter)

Derrick Walton - 4 years

Mo Wagner - 3 years

Duncan Robinson (!) - 4 years

Ignas Brazdeikis - 1 year

Jordan Poole - 2 years

Charles Matthews - 3 years

It looks to me like two years was the most common amount of time they spent here.

rainingmaize

October 25th, 2019 at 3:09 PM ^

I think that was one of if not the main factor. However he also was in his 60's. It was now or never if he had any interest at all in coaching in the NBA. 

So you had a 4 year coach coaching kids who already had a foot out of the door. 

He had to try and replace them while recruiting clean in a dirty recruiting world. 

It was now or never for the NBA. 

rainingmaize

October 25th, 2019 at 2:21 PM ^

Players were able to succeed in the offense in about two years. But it still took some time for the players to learn the offense initially, which is why so many players at Michigan took HUGE jumps in between years.

Darius Morris - 1st year he was an meh backup point guard. Second year, star. 

Trey Burke - Great first year, legendary his second year. 

Tim Hardaway Jr - Pretty consistent player

GR III - Pretty consistent, but he was a five star. 

Mitch McGary - Basically a one and done five star. But people forget he didn't do much his first year until the tournament. 

Nik Stauskas - Backup first year, Star second. 

Caris LeVert - Backup first year. Star next few years. 

DJ Wilson - Bench player first two years. Stud third year. 

Derrick Walton - Backup first year. Stud next three years. 

Mo Wagner - Rarley saw the court first year. Solid next year, stud third year. 

Duncan Robinson (!) - Used basically as a shooter.  

Ignas Brazdeikis - Rare one in done. 

Jordan Poole - Backup first year. Solid next year. 

Charles Matthews - Decent player. But as a redshirt, he had a year to just sit and learn the system. 

Blue Vet

October 25th, 2019 at 2:24 PM ^

Thanks for the link, Mr. Backup. (May I call you Drewhenson?)

Change is unsettling. I realized looking at the article that I was reading between the lines, hoping for hints that suggest Howard would be another Beilein: few turnovers, careful maneuvering for shots, defense without fouling.

Of course Howard isn't Beilein and the comfort of one system has to give way to another system. LOTS of teams play successful basketball at full speed.

Fingers crossed.

mitchewr

October 25th, 2019 at 2:34 PM ^

As each week passes, I'm getting more and more excited for basketball season to start. Can't wait to see what the new look offense / defense will be and how coach Howard handles things! =)

Daddy Wags

October 26th, 2019 at 6:14 AM ^

I can’t wait too see the differences in style.

Usually an uptick in offensive possessions translates to a worse defense.  Hopefully they can still find a way to be a top 20 D.