Michigan advertisement ‘supports’ Howard amid 8-17 season

Jeff Borzello, ESPN

• Staff WriterFeb 14, 2024, 07:54 PM ET Close Basketball recruiting expert.
• Joined ESPN in 2014.
• Graduate of University of Delaware.Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel offered a vote of self-confidence to head coach Juwan Howard on Wednesday in the middle of speculation about his job status, stating he has “not truly thought about any changes in our men’s basketball program.” The Wolverines lost 97-68 to Illinois on Tuesday, their 12th loss in 14 games.”Juwan and I have talked, yes,” Manuel stated.

“We’ll continue to have those conversations as the season goes through. I continue to support him and the effort to turn this around. There is no absence of effort from our student-athletes and our coaches. It’s a lack of execution sometimes. We need to be better. He understands that. I’ll continue to have conversations with him and will continue to support him and our program.”It would be reasonable to state I have actually not really considered any modifications in our men’s basketball program at this time.”Editor’s Picks 1 Related Howard was sidelined for the start of the season following an effective heart treatment in September, returning to the bench during Michigan’s trip to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis as an observer and transitioning to an assistant coach role for several games. He was cleared to return as head coach in mid-December, while also preventing discipline following an altercation with strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson soon before his return.The Wolverines opened the season with 3 wins, consisting of a 16-point road success at St. John’s, however are 5-17 since that victory. They’ve won simply 2 games because Dec. 16.”I

wish to support Juwan to be successful, “Manuel stated.”I have actually not offered any minute of thought of modifications at this time.”Howard, who dipped into Michigan from 1991 to 1994 before being chosen fifth overall in the NBA draft, returned to his alma mater as head coach in 2019. He directed the Wolverines to a Huge Ten regular-season champion in 2021, getting a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament and making a go to the Elite Eight before losing to UCLA. Michigan reached the Sugary food 16 the following season, before struggling last year en route to an 18-16 campaign.