The Wolverine

March 2020 Issue

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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MARCH 2020 THE WOLVERINE 11   INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Sitting Down With Sophomore Shooting Guard Adrien Nunez M i c h i g a n s o p h o m o re guard Adrien Nunez has seen significant playing time in his second season, though he's still fighting for more. He has had his ups and downs during his time on the court, and was averaging 2.4 points per game through 23 contests. He talks about his quest for more action in this Q&A: The Wolverine: You saw a lot of action earlier in the year, but it's been hit or miss since freshman Franz Wagner returned from in- jury. How have you han- dled that? A d r i e n N u n e z : " I t 's tough, going from nothing to a lot to not a lot again, but I'm just taking it in stride. I've been through a situation like this before, so it's nothing I haven't seen. "I'm just working every day, trying to work out be- fore and after to gain [head coach Juwan Howard's] trust to put me on the court. I know he's trying to work through the lineups and everything, so I'm just trying to take it in stride." The Wolverine: What was your mindset heading into the season after a fresh- man year in which you didn't play much? Nunez: "Earlier success was kind of the plan, trying to get more playing time. It's gone down since Franz has been back, but I'm just trying to get on the court as much as possible. "I'm still on that 'fresh start' plan, doing everything I can to get on the court." The Wolverine: What have coaches told you that you need to do to see more playing time? Nunez: "Defense. That was the biggest thing to get on the floor — just trying to stop my guy. Offense comes, and I've improved on that since last year, [but] I'm just trying to get stops." The Wolverine: What's it been like learning from and playing for Juwan Howard? Nunez: "I'm really building a relationship with Juwan. He makes me feel com- fortable, makes me feel like I can go to him for anything. "On the court, I feel like I'm not afraid to make mistakes as much as last year, at least. He makes it really easy to build a relationship with him." The Wolverine: How does that compare to last year, your first year? Nunez: "I think I was a freshman, just younger, didn't know what I was getting into. Coming in this year with more experience and having a guy as open as that, it helps a lot. "He's just like a player-coach. He's done it here, done it at the NBA level. He's a good guy. He's a unique guy, for sure." — Chris Balas After scoring just three points all of last year, Nunez set a career high with eight against Houston Baptist Nov. 22. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL (800) 421-7751 or visit our online store TheWolverineOnDemand.com/store Michigan Clearance Sale BULOVA WATCH Item #1300 $ 199 95 FREE S&H (Reg. $229.95) RFID Tri-Fold Wallet $17.95 (FREE S&H) Garden Flags $10.95 + FREE S&H Size: 12.5"x18" Double-sided #1445 (Display pole not included) #1301 Mickey Mouse #1303 Michigan 28"x40" Banners $19.95 + FREE S&H 2.5" pole sleeve (Display pole not included) #1302 Mickey Mouse #1305 Star Wars Darth Vader #1306 Star Wars BB-8 Droid #1304 M Go Blue LIMITED SUPPLY — ORDER EARLY!

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