The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2021 THE WOLVERINE 43 MICHIGAN BASKETBALL ZEB JACKSON MISSES FIRST SEVERAL GAMES OF THE SEASON If the first few weeks of the 2021-22 Michigan campaign proved anything, it's that the Wolverines need all the help they can get in the backcourt. Fifth-year senior Eli Brooks had been very good, averaging 15.7 points and shooting 42.9 percent from long range through six games, but the other guards had been struggling. Zeb Jackson is one who might help. Though he played sparingly last year, the sophomore had a great summer, per the coaches, and seemed primed to make a move. "He's been working extremely hard throughout the summer, and when we started our practice, the first day, he, just like his other teammates, was excited about this upcoming season," head coach Juwan Howard said. "Unfortunately, in this game of basketball, sometimes inju- ries happen. You hope that it's not you, but when it does happen, what you have to do now is stay in tune, which he has been." Jackson suffered an illness, not an in- jury, per a team spokesman, and dressed for the Wolverines' games against UNLV and Arizona in Las Vegas before Thanksgiving. He was dressed and on the bench for U-M's Nov. 24 game with Tarleton State, a 65-54 win, but still needs work to get his legs back before seeing the court. Assistant coach Phil Martelli said in the preseason that Jackson was one of the hardest workers over the summer, having improved his jump shot and ball handling. He was set to see time at shooting guard and possibly on the wing before getting sick. "He's always had that type of [work- ing] mindset when he was not in the rotation last year," Howard said dur- ing Michigan's media day. "He's stayed consistent and is being consistent com- ing every morning and getting work in. How I know that is because I've heard the music from how my office is aligned with the practice court. … I know his playlist." Jackson averaged only one point in 16 games last year. He hit two triples, though, in an NCAA Tournament win over Texas Southern and continues to work. "You try to keep a positive attitude because, at times, it can be very frus- trating when you are injured and you're not out there practicing or playing in the game," Howard said. "In due time, he'll have an opportunity to come back healthy and provide whatever he can to help the team. I know, and his team- mates know, that we truly miss him." — Chris Balas PROGRESS REPORT: FRESHMEN AND NEWCOMERS THROUGH FIRST SIX GAMES The new faces on the roster and the strides they take throughout the year will determine how high this team's ceiling is in 2021-22. The freshmen have looked as expected at times, while look- ing young and inexperienced in others. Here is a rundown of what each of Michigan's fresh faces has brought to the table early in the season. Graduate senior guard DeVante' Jones: Jones had big shoes to fill in re- placing Mike Smith as Michigan's start- ing point guard. However, the Coastal Carolina transfer has stumbled a bit in his first stretch of games as a Wolverine. He fouled out of two of the first three games of the year and has been prone to ill-advised mistakes. Jones averaged 7.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and four assists per game in the first six contests while shoot- ing a shade under 47 percent from the floor. The offense was a bit clunky to start the year, but the hope is that more games will lead to an increased comfort level. Freshman wing Caleb Houstan: The former five-star recruit came to Michigan's freshmen — pictured from left to right: wing Caleb Houstan, forward Moussa Diabate, wing Isaiah Barnes, point guard Frankie Collins and combo guard Kobe Bufkin — will have a major impact on how far the team advances this season. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL