The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MARCH 2023 THE WOLVERINE 69 MICHIGAN BASKETBALL But McDaniel was the star. In 39 min- utes the freshman notched 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 0 turnovers. He made the game-clinching free throws down the stretch and willed a win. "Dug was [great] with his energy on the defensive end, and then offensively, he made some tough shots," Howard said. "He also allowed the game to come to him. Not saying he hasn't before, but when he sets the tone the way he did, the guys really rally behind Dug." It showed. They were more aggressive on the glass, cut harder on offense and set better picks in amassing 51 points in the second half. They also made some tough shots, outrebounded the physical Spartans 38-25, and limited their sec- ond chance opportunities after giving up 15 offensive rebounds in the loss at Wisconsin. "That should never happen," Howard said. "I'm not saying Wisconsin is not capable, because they showed that, but it was based on they wanted it more than we did … "It's tough to win ball games like that on the road. Tonight, we made the constant effort of being the toughest, nastiest, grittiest by going to the glass, attacking the paint, getting fouled and going to the foul line. I give a lot of credit to our young men as far as how in tune they were from the first day of practice when we returned from Wisconsin." Is it too late to spark a Michigan run to the NCAA Tournament? Maybe. After the MSU win, there were only four reg- ular-season games left, including three tough ones on the road at Rutgers, Indi- ana and Illinois. It might well take a deep Big Ten Tournament run (if not winning it) to sneak in. But the Wolverines kept that dream alive for at least another night with their inspired play against a rival. JETT HOWARD QUESTIONABLE AFTER INJURING HIS ANKLE AGAINST MSU Michigan's win over Michigan State might have come with a price. Fre s h m a n w i n g Je t t H owa rd went down in the second half of an 84-72 win after making a jump shot and coming down on the foot of a defender, rolling his right ankle. He writhed in pain for a bit before being helped from the floor. Trainers wrapped his ankle and Howard returned to the bench, but he couldn't return. His status was questionable for the game at Rutgers Feb. 23. Coach Juwan Howard, said his son would likely be in treatment "24/7" to get back on the floor. "I haven't heard anything yet," How- ard said Feb. 18 after the win over MSU. "I'm just praying. We need him … we need a healthy Jett." The younger Howard missed a game with Purdue, a 75-70 home loss Jan. 26, after turning his other ankle in a 60-56 win over Minnesota Jan. 22. The Wolverines hope to have him for a tough finishing stretch. After Rutgers, U-M plays Wisconsin Feb. 26, followed by road games at Illinois March 2 and at Indiana March 5. The Big Ten Tourna- ment starts March 8 in Chicago. — Chris Balas Freshman wing Jett Howard rolled his right ankle in the second half of the team's win against Michigan State and did not return. He was questionable for the matchup at Rutgers Feb. 23. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL 2022-23 U-M MEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE & RESULTS Date Opponent (TV) Result/Time* Nov. 7 Purdue Fort Wayne W, 75-56 Nov. 11 vs. Eastern Michigan W, 88-83 Nov. 16 vs. Pittsburgh W, 91-60 Nov. 17 vs. Arizona State L, 87-62 Nov. 20 Ohio W, 70-66 (OT) Nov. 23 Jackson State W, 78-68 Nov. 29 Virginia L, 70-68 Dec. 4 vs. Kentucky L, 73-69 Dec. 8 at Minnesota W, 90-75 Dec. 17 Lipscomb W, 83-75 Dec. 21 vs. North Carolina L, 80-76 Dec. 29 Central Michigan L, 63-61 Jan. 1 Maryland W, 81-46 Jan. 4 Penn State W, 79-69 Jan. 7 at Michigan State L, 59-53 Jan. 12 at Iowa L, 93-84 (OT) Jan. 15 Northwestern W, 85-78 Jan. 19 at Maryland L, 64-58 Jan. 22 Minnesota W, 60-56 Jan. 26 Purdue L, 75-70 Jan. 29 at Penn State L, 83-61 Feb. 2 at Northwestern W, 68-51 Feb. 5 Ohio State W, 77-69 Feb. 8 Nebraska W, 93-72 Feb. 11 Indiana L, 62-61 Feb. 14 at Wisconsin L, 64-59 Feb. 18 Michigan State W, 84-72 Feb. 23 at Rutgers (FS1) 8:30 p.m. Feb. 26 Wisconsin (CBS) 2 p.m. Mar. 2 at Illinois (ESPN) 7 p.m. Mar. 5 at Indiana (CBS) 4:30 p.m. Mar. 8-12 Big Ten Tournament^ TBD ^ United Center, Chicago