Howard returns after heart surgical treatment in U-M win
Dec 16, 2023, 05:20 PM ET ANN ARBOR, Mich.– Juwan Howard coached for the first time because having heart surgical treatment in September, and Olivier Nkamhoua had 17 points, nine rebounds to lead Michigan to an 83-66 win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday.
“I’m healthy enough,” Howard said.Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced on Friday that Howard would return to his head coaching tasks after an evaluation of an occurrence including a number of individuals throughout a group practice recently. Howard was involved in an altercation with strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson, sources informed ESPN’s Jeff Borzello.No punches were thrown, according to multiple sources, however
the two males needed to be separated.Editor’s Picks”Based on a comprehensive internal review, absolutely nothing was discovered to necessitate disciplinary action for anybody involved
,”Manuel said.Sanderson has actually not been on the group’s sidelines for two straight games and his status with the group is unclear.” There’s still
an evaluation taking place at this minute,”Howard said.Howard had open-heart surgical treatment on Sept. 15 that kept him in the healthcare facility for 15 days. He
had actually been slowly working his way back to a full-time role while resting and rehabbing. Prior to Saturday’s game, Howard first went back to the bench as an observer for a Nov. 22 loss to Memphis. He functioned as an assistant to acting head coach Phil Martelli for a loss at Oregon on Dec. 2. Michigan (6-5) hit 12 of 27 3-point attempts versus Eastern Michigan, shot 54 %general and led by double figures throughout the second half.Nkamhoua reviewed 500 career rebounds and also blocked 2 shots. Nimari Burnett added 14 points, Terrance Williams II scored 13 and Dug McDaniel had 11 points.
Travis Reed Jr., coming off the bench for the first time this season, had 13 points and 8 rebounds.Tyson Acuff, being available in scoring over 22 points per game, ended up with 24 for the Eagles(5-5). Acuff was 10 of 27 however missed all seven of his 3-point tries. Orlando Lovejoy added 16 points for
the Eagles, who shot 40 %and made just 2 of 15 from the arc.A flurry of threes gave Michigan a 10-point lead six minutes into the very first half and the Wolverines led thereafter. Michigan was 8 of 17 from the arc with three each from Williams and McDaniel in the very first half and led 49-32. The Eagles got within 10 midway through the 2nd half. But Tray Jackson struck a 3, and after Eastern Michigan’s Yusuf Jihad’s dunk effort went awry, Reed’s layup brought back a 15-point lead.
The Wolverines led by as lots of as 20 late.Michigan handles Florida on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the Jumpman Invitational.Eastern Michigan is host to Hampton on Thursday.The Associated Press contributed to this story.