The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1340560
MARCH 2021 THE WOLVERINE 77 young man who came to our locker room and embraced the culture. He could have said, 'You know what? I'm better than you, you, and you, and I should be starting.' No — 'Whatever you need, Coach. What- ever the team needs.' "From a skill standpoint, he's a great shooter. He's a great defender, two-way player, he rebounds on the offensive and defensive glass, he can post up … he's a great finisher at the basket, and he's tough as nails. And let's not forget, he's another great free throw shooter. "We wouldn't be where we are, if it wasn't for Chaundee Brown." Brown's willingness and capabil- ity as a defender pair with those of senior guard Eli Brooks to make the Wolverines a lockdown crew. U-M hovers near the top of the Big Ten in several defensive categories. "I knew I could defend multiple spots," Brown said. "Back at Wake Forest, I knew I was a great defender. But I knew I had things to work on." He's worked, and so have his new teammates. He loves the result, espe- cially on the defensive end of the court. "For sure," he affirmed. "Man, everyone on our team can defend. That's what makes it easy for us." In fact, Michigan's 77-54 handcuff- ing of Wisconsin at Crisler Center Jan. 12 convinced him that the Wol- verines could not only maintain a superior defense, but also become an elite team. They executed a dizzying array of scenarios in which the Bad- gers were completely stymied. That game, Brown noted, proved plenty. "I was like, we're dangerous, for real," he said. "That game, boy — that's probably the best game so far." There are plenty more to play, and now, several to make up. How the ever-changing schedule following the layoff will affect the Wolverines is anybody's guess. Brown keeps his guess simple. U-M was good before the big break, and he expects them to be so afterward. He felt immediately welcomed in upon his arrival, as someone who could bolster a potentially special season. That's what he desperately wanted. That's what his teammates sought. None of them see a reason they can't still go out and make it happen. "It's the great group of guys we have," Brown pointed out. "Every- one likes each other. We all get along. We just want to win. One common goal — that's the Big Ten champion- ship and the national championship. "Everyone is just buying into their role, and playing their role really well." After the Wolverines rang up three straight victories by 19 or more points against three ranked teams, people noticed. They pointed out that's never been done before in the history of college basketball. Howard waved off the media bullet point. He insisted his team cares about one item on the history-making check- list — playing on a Monday night in April. That's why Brown rolled into town. That's still in his sights. "Like he said, that's the plan," Brown said. "Play on Monday night. That's our goal. Everybody has bought in to doing that. With every- body putting their two cents in, we'll be really good." ❏ U-M head coach Juwan Howard, whose team started 14-1, said: "We wouldn't be where we are, if it wasn't for Chaundee Brown." PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Teammates Love Brown's Contributions Chaundee Brown Jr.'s teammates whooped it up when his eligibility for this season became clear. Head coach Juwan Howard insisted that came from the heart, and the way the Wolverines talk about Brown, it's clear they meant it. Senior forward Isaiah Livers noted Brown delivers the sort of intangibles an elite team requires. "Grit, and heart," Livers began. "Chaundee is the heart of the team. I heard Coach say he's the reason we are where we are today, and 1,000 percent. He pushes us all in practice. He pushes us in games. "One word to describe Chaundee Brown is inspiring. He inspires all of us when he plays defense. He smiles every time, no matter what it is. He's affectionate, and it rubs off. He's a hard worker, in the gym every day. He's a terrific player, with a bright career ahead of him." Fifth-year senior center Austin Davis knows what it means to fight for minutes. He gives Brown a huge nod for his unselfishness. "Chaundee has done a tremendous job," Davis stressed. "He's really the epitome of a team player. He's super tough, super resilient, really gritty. He attacks any- thing that's handed to him. "He's just a tremendous asset for our team. I can't say enough about him." — John Borton