Michigan's Hunter Dickinson Slams 'Coward' Mark Adams in Deleted Tweets
Apr 29, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 19: Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) celebrates on the court during the NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Championship Round 2 game between the Michigan Wolverines and Tennessee Volunteers on March 19, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Michigan center Hunter Dickinson called out Texas Tech coach Mark Adams for allegedly holding back the transfer of Terrence Shannon Jr. in since-deleted tweets:
Aaaaand someone got to Dickinson REAL quick. What we have here is one of the biggest stars in CBB calling out the HC at TTU for allegedly hindering Terrence Shannon Jr. from being able to easily transfer to Michigan. Instead, Shannon just committed to U-M's rival, Illinois. pic.twitter.com/LmQh0SNebn
Shannon spent three years at Texas Tech before announcing his intention to transfer this offseason. Despite taking a visit to Michigan, the guard instead announced Friday he will transfer to Illinois:
Dickinson alleges that Adams prevented Shannon from taking summer classes that would have allowed him to graduate before transferring, as Zach Shaw of 247Sports further explained.
Shannon still managed a transfer to a Big Ten school instead of returning to Texas Tech.
The rising senior with averages of 11.0 points and 3.6 rebounds during his collegiate career is expected to be an impact player. The 6'6" guard shot 38.4 percent from three-point range last season and contributed to a defense that ranked No. 1 in the nation in efficiency, per KenPom.
He started all three NCAA tournament games to help the Red Raiders reach the Sweet 16.
David Cobb of CBS Sports listed Shannon as the No. 3 transfer available this offseason.
It represents a major boost for an Illinois squad looking to improve upon back-to-back second-round exits.
Michigan could have also benefitted from the addition of Shannon after losing guards Eli Brooks and DeVante' Jones.
Dickinson still gives the Wolverines a shot at contention in the Big Ten after his surprise return amid NBA draft buzz.
"If you would’ve said at the beginning of the year, asked me if I would’ve come back for another year, I would’ve told you, no way," Dickinson said on the Defend The Block podcast (h/t Clayton Sayfie of On3). "But I think with NIL, that door definitely opened it up for me to come back, and I’m really happy and excited for another year under Coach Howard."
The center was hoping for more help alongside him, but Michigan did at least add Princeton guard Jaelin Llewellyn, as he announced Friday on Twitter.
Michigan Will Continue to Participate in Handshake Lines, Per Acting HC Phil Martelli
Feb 23, 2022
MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 20: Wisconsin Badgers Assistant Coach Joe Krabbenhoft reacts after a fight breaks out between Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan Wolverines. Joe Krabbenhoft was hit in the head by Michigan Wolverines Head Coach Juwan Howard at Kohl Center on February 20, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Michigan men's basketball will continue to participate in handshake lines under acting head coach Phil Martelli despite the recent altercation involving Juwan Howard.
"Do not get rid of them," Martelli said Tuesday, via ESPN. "This is about more than basketball, it's about teaching young people lessons."
Howard, the Wolverines' head coach, was suspended for the rest of the regular season after striking Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft following the Badgers' win on Sunday.
Juwan Howard strikes Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft after Michigan-Wisconsin game https://t.co/fbv0WKzbT6
The incident began with an argument between Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard and Howard, who was upset about a late timeout called by the Badgers in their 77-63 win.
The incident still raised a discussion over the need for handshake lines, which create opportunities for conflict after heated competition.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo countered by telling reporters Tuesday it would be the "biggest farce" if the NCAA did away with the handshake lines.
"We've already told these kids that it's hard to hold them accountable," Izzo said. "And now we're going to tell them to not man up and walk down a line to someone who's kicked your butt and have enough class to shake their hand is utterly ridiculous."
Martelli clearly agrees as he prepares to lead the Wolverines for the rest of the regular season.
Michigan's Juwan Howard Suspended for Rest of Regular Season for Fight
Feb 21, 2022
Michigan head coach Juwan Howard, center, reacts after being called for a technical foul during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Big Ten Conference announced Monday that University of Michigan men's basketball head coach Juwan Howard has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season for his role in the skirmish following Sunday's 77-63 loss to Wisconsin.
Michigan forwards Terrance Williams II and Moussa Diabate were each suspended one game for their roles in the altercation, as was Wisconsin guard Jahcobi Neath.
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard was not suspended, though he was fined $10,000. Badgers director of athletics Chris McIntosh said in a statement that the school would cover the fine, as he views it as a "'Wisconsin fine' and not a 'Greg Gard fine'":
Badgers assistant Joe Krabbenhoft was not disciplined.
Howard and Gard started yelling at each other in the handshake line before players and assistants came to separate them. It was then that Howard reached across and physically struck Krabbenhoft.
That escalated the tension and led to a scrum with players pushing each other.
The Big Ten released a statement in the aftermath indicating it was "aware of a physical altercation involving [Howard]" and was "in contact with both member institutions and is currently assessing the incident."
The Associated Press (via ESPN) noted Wisconsin called a timeout with 15 seconds left despite enjoying a healthy lead, which angered Howard.
"I didn't like the timeout being called, to be totally honest," Howard said in his postgame press conference. "I thought it was not necessary at the moment, especially being a large lead."
Howard apologized Monday for his "unacceptable" actions and words:
McIntosh said some members of his team's staff were "affected and injured."
McIntosh also said he contacted Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren and added, "There's no room, no space for conduct like that in any competition, much less a Big Ten competition. The Big Ten takes pride in sportsmanship. The Big Ten takes pride in acting with class. That didn't happen today."
Gard discussed the incident in the aftermath and explained he called timeout to reset the 10-second half-court clock before he emptied his bench:
"Apparently, he didn't like that I called a timeout."
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard explains what led to the postgame fight with Juwan Howard and the Michigan team. pic.twitter.com/tjgRpGsCQB
On the court, the Badgers improved to 21-5 overall and 12-4 in conference play with the win. All five Wisconsin starters scored in double figures, including Johnny Davis, who led the way with 25 points and six boards.
Hunter Dickinson's 21 points were not enough for the Wolverines, who are firmly on the NCAA tournament bubble heading into the season's stretch run after the latest loss dropped them to 14-11 overall and 8-7 in the Big Ten.
Michigan's Juwan Howard Swings at Wisconsin Assistant Coach During Postgame Fight
Feb 20, 2022
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 12: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines looks on against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at Crisler Arena on February 12, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Michigan head coach Juwan Howard might have earned himself a lengthy suspension after swinging his right hand at Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft.
During the customary handshakes following the Badgers' 77-63 win over the Wolverines, Howard exchanged words with Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard. Things escalated from there when Howard struck Krabbenhoft in the head with an open palm:
A fight broke out between Michigan and Wisconsin during the postgame handshake line. pic.twitter.com/AiWIwyzj8w
Here's a closer look at the altercation(warning: video contains profanity):
Here's really good raw video of the aftermath of #Michigan and #Wisconsin. You can clearly hear Juwan Howard say "I'll remember that" to Greg Gard prior to the altercation.
Gard said on CBS he thought Howard took exception to a timeout he called with 15 seconds left. He had called the timeout because he was concerned about a 10-second violation with his backups on the floor:
"Apparently, he didn't like that I called a timeout."
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard explains what led to the postgame fight with Juwan Howard and the Michigan team. pic.twitter.com/tjgRpGsCQB
Howard told reporters the timeout didn't sit well with him and he also didn't like how Gard stopped him in the handshake line:
Here's Juwan Howard's side to the story.
Added later that he felt he needed to protect himself, because Greg Gard touched him unnecessarily in the handshake line after he had gotten upset.#Badgerspic.twitter.com/hFWrEtBv1v
Juwan Howard's said he didn't appreciate the #Badgers calling a late timeout even though he was pressing with his starters against UW's bench. pic.twitter.com/mz2gUL7qO8
Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh told reporters that "there is no room for that in our competition" and confirmed he has reached out to Big Ten officials.
"It's unfortunate what transpired," McIntosh said. "I expect the league will act swiftly. It's difficult for me to compose myself."
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel also issued a statement saying that "there is no excuse" for a Michigan coach or student to get involved in a physical altercation:
It looked as though Howard, while visibly agitated, was prepared to continue walking down the sideline before Gard grabbed his right arm. Without that, the entire scuffle might have been avoided.
But that's unlikely to earn Howard much of a reprieve when the Big Ten weighs any potential punishments for those involved.
The conference said in a statement that it would issue "swift and appropriate disciplinary action" after completing a review of the matter:
This isn't the first time the 49-year-old got heated on the sideline. He was ejected from a Big Ten tournament game against Maryland last March after arguing with Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon. He needed to be restrained as he walked toward the Maryland bench.
Juwan Howard was ejected after exchanging some words with Maryland HC Mark Turgeon 😳
Maryland alleged to the Big Ten that Howard had threatened Turgeon, while Howard said he was initially animated about an out-of-bounds call. He also claimed Turgeon "charged at me" as they were arguing, which led him to respond in kind.
Michigan, which fell to 14-11 overall and 8-7 in the Big Ten with Sunday's loss, has five games left in the regular season.
ESPN's Joe Lunardi projected the Wolverines to be one of the last four teams in the NCAA tournament and thus qualify for the play-in games. Assuming a suspension is on the table, Michigan might have to seal a berth in the Big Dance without its head coach.
North Carolina Use Dominant 2nd Half Performance to Rout No. 24 Michigan
Dec 2, 2021
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 01: Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after making a three-point basket against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on December 01, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
North Carolina hasn't quite figured out how to solve its road woes, but staying in Chapel Hill has been a road to success for first-year coach Hubert Davis.
Caleb Love scored 22 points and Dawson Garcia added 14, as the Tar Heels turned in a dominant second-half performance on their way to a 72-51 win over No. 24 Michigan in the 2021 Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
Ahead by just two at halftime, North Carolina turned up the pressure on both ends and never trailed after the break. The Heels are now 4-0 under Davis at the Dean Smith Center.
Playing its first traditional road game of the season, Michigan could not find an offensive rhythm as it fell to a disappointing 4-3. Moussa Diabate led the way with 13 points and Eli Brooks scored 11.
F Moussa Diabate: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block G Eli Brooks: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Juwan Howard Has Long Road Ahead
Michigan's young rotation looked afraid of the limelight Wednesday night. The Wolverines finished shooting just 35.1 percent from the floor and were embarrassed on both ends of the court in the second half.
Ranked as the No. 3 recruiting class in the country coming into this season, things have not been pretty when Michigan has been tested against good competition. Touted freshman forward Caleb Houstan has been a major disappointment, so much so that Howard should consider moving him to the reserve unit. Diabate played himself into more rotation time with a solid performance, and lineups featuring the two freshman bigs and center Hunter Dickinson have not fared well this season.
Transfer DeVante' Jones has also not packed nearly the scoring punch he did during his career at Coastal Carolina.
It's clear this is somewhat of a foundational year for Howard, with none of the freshmen looking like instant-impact stars. That said, this was a team that was ranked No. 6 in the country coming into this season. The results have to be better than what they've been so far.
Hubert Davis Off to Solid Start
It's fair to say Davis wasn't a particularly inspired choice to replace Roy Williams. A job of North Carolina's caliber opening typically leads to some of the most prominent names in coaching being linked. Davis was a longtime loyal assistant with Carolina ties, now getting the opportunity to prove himself in the main job.
So far, so good on the court.
The coach has spent much of his first seven games tinkering with the rotation in hopes of finding a good mix and may have finally reached the correct formula in the second half. Four of North Carolina's five starters had at least nine points, and Davis gave only seven players significant playing time.
The Heels added only two recruits in their 2021 class, so this is going to be an uphill battle of a season. It just may wind up being one that Davis and his group of veteran leaders make far more interesting than expected.
No. 4 Michigan Upset by Unranked Arizona as Christian Koloko Drops 22 Points
Nov 22, 2021
Las Vegas, NV - NOVEMBER 21: Arizona Wildcats guard Dalen Terry (4) saves the ball from going out of bounds against Michigan Wolverines forward Moussa Diabate (14) during the championship game of the Roman Main Event at T-Mobile Arena on November 21st, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Arizona Wildcats upset the No. 4 Michigan Wolverines 80-62 on Sunday to move to 5-0 on the season. Arizona's win marked its first victory against a top-five team since Dec. 30, 2017.
The Wolverines dropped to 3-2 with the loss.
It was an incredible night for Arizona's Christian Koloko, who notched 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists and four blocked shots in the win. Bennedict Mathurin was also impressive, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal.
The Wildcats were impressive defensively throughout the night, but once things were tied at 21 with seven minutes remaining in the first half, Arizona took control and pulled away in the second half.
Arizona began the second half by making its first nine shots to push the lead to 62-45.
The Wildcats shot 4-of-21 from deep (19 percent), but went 33-of-66 from the field (50 percent). Michigan, meanwhile, was awful from deep on Sunday, with Brandon Johns Jr. making the team's only three pointer on 14 attempts.
Eli Brooks was the Wolverines best player Sunday, notching 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Hunter Dickinson, meanwhile, finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
Outside of Brooks and Dickinson, Michigan failed to get much production from anyone else. The Wolverines also had an unacceptable 10 turnovers in the first half and 15 overall.
If Michigan has Final Four dreams, it's going to have to get better following a loss to an unranked opponent. Head coach Juwan Howard, who is in his third season, has quite a bit of work to do. Arizona, meanwhile, is looking impressive and could find themselves with Michigan among the nation's top 25 teams next week.
The Wolverines will next face the Tarleton Texans on Wednesday, while the Wildcats won't face their next opponent, the Sacramento State Hornets, until Saturday.
No. 4 Michigan Upset by Jared Rhoden, Unranked Seton Hall 67-65
Nov 17, 2021
Michigan guard Caleb Houstan (22) defends against a jump shot from Seton Hall guard Jared Rhoden (14) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
The unranked Seton Hall Pirates upset the No. 4 Michigan Wolverines 67-65 on Tuesday at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.
Michigan had a chance to tie or win the game down 66-64 with 10 seconds remaining.
Wolverines forward Terrance Williams II missed a long-distance two from the top of the key with eight-tenths of a second left, but Seton Hall guard Jared Rhoden was called for a shooting foul.
Williams missed the first free throw and made the second. Off the inbounds pass, Pirates guard Bryce Aiken was fouled with two-tenths of a second remaining and made one of two free throws to end the scoring.
Michigan then didn't have enough time to get a shot off, capping the upset.
Rhoden led the Pirates with 16 points. Tray Jackson and Aiken each scored 13 off the bench. Jackson made all five of his shots, three of which were three-pointers.
Wolverines big man Hunter Dickinson led all scorers with 18 points.
Michigan guard Eli Brooks stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Backcourt mate DeVante' Jones had an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double.
The Wolverines led by as many as 10 in the second half and held a 55-46 edge with 8:49 remaining, but Seton Hall responded with an 11-2 run capped by an Aiken three with 4:35 left to tie this one at 57:
𝗧𝗜𝗘. 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘.@SetonHallMBB and #4 Michigan are level at the U-4.
Seton Hall ended up taking the lead for good on a pair of Aiken free throws with 33 seconds left for a 65-64 advantage.
Eli Brooks missed a jumper on the other end, and Pirates guard Myles Cale responded with one of two free-throw makes after a foul, leading to the final sequence.
The 3-0 Pirates will now play Ohio State next Monday in the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Florida. The 2-1 Wolverines will visit UNLV in the Roman Main Event in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Juwan Howard, Michigan Agree to 5-Year Contract Extension Through 2025-26
Nov 17, 2021
Michigan head coach Juwan Howard watches from the sideline during the second period of an NCAA college basketball game against Prairie View A&M, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Washington. Michigan won 77-49.(AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Juwan Howard isn't going anywhere in the near future.
Michigan Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel announced the college agreed to a five-year contract extension with the men's basketball head coach on Tuesday. The new deal will run through the 2025-26 campaign.
"I'm honored to be regarded in such a way that the University wished to continue a lasting relationship with me," Howard said. "It was a surprise when Warde approached me, and it didn't take long for us to get on the same page. I'm grateful to him, our great University and my talented young men who sacrifice every day. The love I have for the University of Michigan is beyond words."
Michigan hired Howard, who played at the school as a member of the famed Fab Five team, prior to the 2019-20 season.
He is 44-17 overall and is coming off a dominant 2020-21 season that saw him win the Associated Press Coach of the Year and the Big Ten Coach of the Year while leading the Wolverines to the Big Ten regular-season title and the Elite Eight.
That team lost a heartbreaker to UCLA by two points in the Elite Eight and fell just short of the program's first Final Four appearance since the 2017-18 campaign.
Michigan is right in the thick of the national picture again this season at No. 4 in the Associated Press Top 25 rankings. It is off to a 2-0 start with wins over Buffalo and Prairie View A&M and has marquee nonconference games remaining against Seton Hall and North Carolina before starting a daunting Big Ten slate.
Howard has the Wolverines set up for immediate and future success thanks to his prowess on the recruiting trail.
He landed the No. 3 class in 247Sports' composite 2021 rankings and currently has the No. 6 class in the 2022 rankings.
It is no surprise, then, that Michigan wants to keep Howard in charge of its men's basketball program for the foreseeable future as it looks to remain a national player both in recruiting and on the court.
4-Star SF Jett Howard Commits to Play for Father Juwan at Michigan
Oct 13, 2021
DAVIE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 25: Jett Howard #13 of NSU University School in action against Sunrise Christian Academy during the ESPN GEICO High School Showcase on January 25, 2019 in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jett Howard committed to Michigan on Wednesday, joining his father, Juwan, in Ann Arbor.
Four-star and class of 2022 prospect, Jett Howard, has committed to play for his father Juwan Howard at Michigan 〽️ pic.twitter.com/5aC8LWg892
The 6'7" wing is the 37th-best player overall and 11th-best small forward in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2022 class.
Howard said Wednesday's announcement was a "tough decision" because he had been "seriously looking" at Tennessee, per 247Sports' Brandon Jenkins. The opportunity to play for his father was too good to pass up, though:
But it was just the family atmosphere obviously because of my dad. I also feel I will have a good opportunity to play right away. I honestly like how everybody is treated the same around the campus. I paid attention to the little things when it came to this recruiting process and that stood out along with the culture and environment of the program.
Jenkins projected Howard as a starter for a Power Five program, writing he has "a strong frame, a solid motor on the defensive end, and can knock down the open jumper with range." He also praised the IMG Academy star for his shooting and value he provides as an off-ball scorer.
Jett Howard, the No.41st overall prospect in the class of 2022 commits to Michigan. @umichbball
In addition to his dad, Howard will be teaming up with older brother Jace, a sophomore guard. Jace made 11 appearances for the Wolverines in 2020-21 and scored 12 points in 34 minutes on the floor.
With Jett's commitment, Michigan now has the third-best class in 247Sports' composite team rankings. The program is poised to add three other 4-star recruits: center Tarris Reed, point guard Dug McDaniel and power forward Gregg Glenn.
The Wolverines had a somewhat bumpy first season under Juwan Howard, going 19-12 after having won 30 games the previous under former coach John Beilein. They turned things around in 2020-21, winning a Big Ten regular-season title and reaching the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.
Howard's work on the recruiting trail should ensure that progress continues.
