The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1123063
JUNE/JULY 2019 THE WOLVERINE 49 T he news that John Beilein would leave Michigan for the Cleveland Cavaliers and that Juwan Howard, who had never before coached in college or been a head coach, would be his successor has led to many questions about the identity of Michigan's program and how it may change. Though the identity of Michigan's head coach has changed, U-M's de- fensive identity shouldn't. Beilein spent the last two seasons transforming Michigan's calling card from offensive grace to de- fensive destruction. In his first 10 years in Ann Arbor, Michigan never finished in the top 30 in adjusted de- fensive efficiency. Michigan wasn't particularly close to doing it in the four seasons prior to this sudden transformation either. From the 2013-14 through 2016-17, the Wol- verines were usually on the edge of the top 100 in adjusted defensive ef- ficiency, and at best, they were 69th. Yet, in each of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns, U-M had a top- three defense nationally. It became the backbone of the program. They knew they could lock down oppos- ing offenses, and their defense lifted them to a Final Four, another Sweet 16 and a Big Ten Tournament title. This should not change with Howard at the helm. Based on the foundation laid by Beilein and Howard's track record with the Mi- ami Heat, Michigan should continue to dominate defensively. During his time as an assistant with the Heat, Howard was de- scribed as being the head coach of the defense. This is a wonderful compliment of the coach because Mi- ami had an excellent defense each of the past four years under his guid- ance. From 2015-16 through 2018-19, Miami was either fifth, seventh or eighth in defensive efficiency. To consistently be in the upper echelon of defense in the NBA, where ups and downs are more common because the playing field is much more even, is a notable accom- plishment. It speaks to Howard's ability to develop various players within a defensive system and scout the least known yet most critical ten- dencies of an opposing offense. Howard should have an easier time doing that with the Wolverines because the playing field isn't nearly as level in college basketball and Michigan has many inherent advan- tages over other programs. U-M's transition to Howard's de- fensive schemes may also be smooth because his Heat defenses appear to share many of the same traits as Michigan's last two under Beilein. Shooting defense was the source of Miami's defensive success. In How- ard's last four seasons, the Heat fluc- tuated in three of the four defensive factors: allowing offensive rebounds, forcing turnovers and sending oppo- nents to the free throw line. The one factor that didn't change was defending shots. The Heat ranked as high as second and no worse than seventh in defensive ef- fective field goal percentage (eFG%), a metric that adjusts for a three-point field goal being work more than a two-point field goal. They thrived at defending two-point shots (third in 2015-16, fourth in 2016-17, sixth in 2017-18 and second in 2018-19), and much of this was due to their ability to defend the rim, ranking no worse than fifth in block rate each year. The Heat also emphasized shutting down the arc to force offensive players to deal with their tough interior, ranking in the top six in defensive three-point rate three of the past four seasons. Shooting defense has also been the basis for Michigan's defensive surge the past two years, particularly last season. The Wolverines were sixth nationally in defensive eFG%, 11th in two-point defense and sixth in three- point defense last year. They pri- oritized limiting the launch of open three-pointers (sixth in defensive three-point rate in 2017-18 and third in 2018-19) and harassing opponents into difficult mid-range jumpers. Though this meant Michigan did not block as many shots (126th in block rate), U-M still had its best defensive block rate since 2007-08. Howard should be able to help Michigan replicate this type of defen- sive performance next season. Two of the Wolverines' three best defenders will be back in senior point guard Zavier Simpson and senior center Jon Teske. Simpson is a constant pest that stymies the flow of opposing of- fenses. Teske is a force down low and anchored Michigan's interior defense last season, much like how Hassan Whiteside and Bam Adebayo did for the Heat under Howard. There are still some other ele- ments that must be considered. Wing defender extraordinaire Charles Matthews declared for the NBA Draft, and Howard will need to develop someone on the roster to fill that hole. Assistant Luke Yaklich, who was a major architect of Michi- gan's defensive turnaround, also may not be in town to help Howard develop that player. As of May 27, it's unknown whether Yaklich will remain in Ann Arbor or take an as- sistant gig elsewhere. Though Yaklich staying would further stabilize Michigan's de- fensive prowess, Howard's arrival should do that in and of itself. De- fense is his calling card, and thus, it should remain Michigan's. ❑ INSIDE THE NUMBERS DREW HALLETT Juwan Howard Will Maintain U-M's D Howard was known for leading the Miami Heat's defensive efforts as an assistant, and the franchise ranked in the NBA's top eight for defensive efficiency in each of the last four seasons. PHOTO COURTESY NBAE Staff writer Drew Hallett has covered Michigan athletics since 2013. Contact him at drew.c.hallett@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @DrewCHallett.