2020-21 Season

Video & Quotes: Juwan Howard, Franz Wagner recap win over Florida State

Juwan Howard and Franz Wagner met with the media via Zoom to discuss Michigan’s Sweet 16 win over Florida State.

NCAA Sale! 50% Off!

You can join UM Hoops for 50% off, just $2 per month, with promo code TOURNEY and unlock exclusive content. Sign up today for coverage throughout the season — this deal runs for this week only!

Join Today

Juwan Howard

THE MODERATOR: Good evening. Welcome to the podium here at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. We have joining us Coach Juwan Howard from the University of Michigan. We’re going to start with an opening statement.

JUWAN HOWARD: I just want to say this. I’m so proud of our team and how they competed from start to finish. Give a lot of credit to Florida State, well coached team, a coach who I know very well, I have a ton of respect for. He runs an excellent program, developed young men, and I’ve been one of the recipients of some of the development, learning from Coach Ham.

It was a hard-fought victory, but now it’s just one game at a time. We’ve got to keep competing, which our guys are looking forward to the next matchup.

Q. Juwan, Franz obviously was key tonight on both ends of the floor. What are some things that he did from your perspective in this game that he wouldn’t have been able to do a year ago?

JUWAN HOWARD: Well, Franz has developed. He has gotten better each and every year, and he’s only been here for two years. It’s been a joy to coach, and I know my staff will agree, a guy that has a high IQ, high ceiling, loves basketball, a grinder. Today the impact that he has on the game, just like his teammates, was extremely effective with having the ball in his hands and also being on the defensive end.

Q. When it comes to dealing with this group, just the amount of guys that you have who are 22, 23 — like it’s an older team, and I just wonder for you, being able to execute a game plan or just being able to communicate, things like that, just what it’s like being able to coach a team that kind of has that as a commodity that a lot of other groups don’t have?

JUWAN HOWARD: I just have to correct you. We have Hunter Dickinson and Franz Wagner, who are very young, and those two guys are starting lineup. It’s been great to coach all the guys, whether it’s upperclassmen or underclassmen.

Our two younger guys have a high IQ, and it’s been beautiful just to learn from them just as much as our seniors. But we’re grinding, man, and we’re doing it collectively. It’s beautiful just to see the development that’s happening before our eyes.

Q. Hey, Juwan, you guys had 11 offensive rebounds and 17 second chance points. Could you talk about the work you guys were able to do on the offensive glass tonight.

JUWAN HOWARD: Yes, it was based on effort, energy, and toughness. Our guys came with a mindset. We talked about it leading up to the game. We showed it on film. We also talked about it before the game, about we have to attack the offensive glass. We can’t sit back on our heels and leave it untouched.

Shot goes up, let’s go. You have the habits of transition defense. If there’s a numbers advantage, we have two guys that’s going to be back that’s going to, of course, communicate and try to stop a layup. I just love the effort that our guys brought and the energy and the grit.

Q. Franz spoke about the confidence you and the coaches give the players. I guess, can you speak to the balance of making sure your players are aware of what the opponent does well while still giving your players confidence that they can handle it?

JUWAN HOWARD: Well, why not give them confidence? That’s what we’re here for, to empower these young men who’s put in a lot of hard work and effort each and every day in practice, games. If you break their confidence, then they will not be able to go out there and compete at a high level. The trust is earned, not only just from the players, but also coaches. We have to earn their trust.

So with all the work that we put in practice, we see what our guys provide from a skill level, also being neck up, and then also the hard work they bring in with the energy and effort. So the trust and the belief is there on both sides. That’s a part of our culture, a key word, trust.

Q. Hey, Juwan, Florida State switches a lot of screens, which I feel like is something that you didn’t see all that often in the Big Ten. What did you make of your team’s ability to handle that on offense?

JUWAN HOWARD: Screens? Repeat that? I don’t understand what you’re saying.

Q. Florida State switches a lot of screens.

JUWAN HOWARD: Oh, switches. I didn’t hear that. Thank you. Yes, they do, but we’ve seen some of that in the Big Ten. Rutgers switched ball screens. Maryland switched. They do a lot of switching. In the tournament, we also saw versus LSU, they do a lot of switching. But, yes, it’s challenging when you have a team that have length that also can switch one through five.

Our guys did a great job of handling it. We practiced it all week, and it was great to see how they applied it on the floor.

Q. I’m wondering defensively what did you try to stress to everybody coming in? How did you think the team executed?

JUWAN HOWARD: Did you say defensively or offensively?

Q. Defense.

JUWAN HOWARD: Defense has been one of our staples of our identity as far as on the offensive end. We have habits on how we developed it last year when I first arrived, and when we returned to the campus in June, first thing that we met as a staff, and then also the first meeting when we were able to have our first official practice, we talked about how we’re going to be a better defensive team.

A lot of drills that we worked on was based on developing that defensive prowess, where we can, of course, be disruptive on the ball and then off the ball.

So if you look at the field goal percentage, yes, we held them to 40 percent from the field and also held them to 25 percent from the free-throw line. It was a great defensive effort.

Q. Juwan, a lot was made about Florida State’s size coming into this matchup. So how were you guys able to kind of neutralize them in terms of banging down low in the post?

JUWAN HOWARD: Yeah, we heard it all week. Yeah, sure did. We did a really good job of preparing for it. Yes, you cannot duplicate it in practice because you just don’t have that Florida State roster. But it was great to know, as far as our guys buying in, and as the guys I’m speaking of, our scout team watching film and studying Florida State’s offense and the players’ strengths.

When it came to preparation, I was just so proud of how the scout team really bought in to preparing us.

Q. Eight teams left after tonight. Was there more celebrating going on or more, hey, we’re not done yet in the locker room?

JUWAN HOWARD: One game at a time. We can celebrate tonight, but tomorrow we’re looking forward to and preparing for our next opponent.

Q. Through the years now and then, we’ve seen teams that had great seasons but a big blow near the end of it, like the one you took. Could you describe what it is like to try to adapt to that when there’s not much time left to adapt?

JUWAN HOWARD: What blow are you speaking of?

Q. The injury to Isaiah.

JUWAN HOWARD: Well, we don’t make excuses here at Michigan. We feel so sorry for Isaiah with the injury. During any time of the season when a player goes down with an injury, it’s very unfortunate, and you feel, and your heart breaks for that player. Isaiah, all the hard work he’s put in, senior year, and get to a point where end of the season injuries you cannot control.

Our guys band together like brothers, be there for their brother, they lift them up and keep their spirits. He’s been amazing on the sidelines as far as with his injury and keeping guys engaged and being another coach out there for us. But it’s great to see that other guys have stepped up, and it’s been collectively as a group where guys have stepped up with his absence.

Q. Juwan, just confirming, Isaiah’s out for the rest of the tournament? Is that accurate?

JUWAN HOWARD: He’s out indefinitely.

Q. So there’s a chance he could return, or is he out?

JUWAN HOWARD: He’s out indefinitely.

Q. Juwan, your team got a lot of good shots in this game, and a lot of it was ball movement, but some of it was that ability for your players to attack and yet to be patient and adjust to double-teams and such. Could you talk about that aspect of your team’s play today.

JUWAN HOWARD: Our guards, not just the guards, but our team in general played a very smart, aggressive game, just like how we prepared in practice. It’s great that we had a — we were able to apply it in a game situation because it’s tough no matter in practice on how you tried to prepare for it. You’re hoping and praying that there is a transfer to the floor, but it was. And the part of just taking your time and taking advantage of what the defense gives you.

Q. I don’t think I’ve seen a team in this tournament happier than when Jace had the and-one play at the end. What does it mean to you, either as a father or a coach, when that happens?

JUWAN HOWARD: Our guys do an amazing job of celebrating one another’s success because it’s a brotherhood that’s special. It’s not just a word when you talk about family and brotherhood. Those guys really believe it and buy into it because that’s the care and love that they have for each other.

So whether it was Jace or if it was Zeb Jackson who got the and one, you would see the same exact excitement that they will display for their brother, and it’s not been the first time that our guys have been excited for guys that come in the game and able to have an impact on the game.

If you watched us all year, our bench brings that energy, and they also cheer for one another. As a father, it was beautiful to witness it because I see the hard work he’s put in, and he deserved to be here, and his teammates have really embraced him, and he’s embraced them. So it was. It also put a big smile on my face to see that he made the free throw.

Q. Michigan’s been to four Elite Eights now. What does it mean to you personally to continue the tradition of success with the basketball program getting to yet another Elite Eight?

JUWAN HOWARD: As a player, I’ve been to three Elite Eights. So Michigan has had a lot of success in the basketball program. It’s just beautiful to see that all the hard work is paying off this year.

Franz Wagner

Q. Hey, Franz, you guys had 50 points in the paint tonight. Can you talk about how you were able to get opportunities inside as well as set up your teammates?

FRANZ WAGNER: We knew coming in that they were going to switch a lot of ball screens and basically everything. So we tried to move the ball. I think a lot of times people get in trouble just holding the ball and dribbling the whole time. So I think we moved the ball pretty well and then attack close-outs.

Yeah, I think getting the ball inside, outside, and moving people on defense. I think that’s how we got open and got able to drive them and then make plays from there.

Q. Hi, Franz. If you could give some insight into the preparation for this game, you know, what Coach has told you, maybe film study. It just seems like some things that maybe Florida State had an advantage in just weren’t the case tonight.

FRANZ WAGNER: I think everyone knows, I think they’re the tallest team in the country, so we know they press a lot. So that’s one thing we kind of went over in practice a lot. And like I mentioned earlier, the switching and how we can attack those close-outs. Yeah, look at some weaknesses that they have on film. I think, like we always do, we analyze what the other team does and try to look how we can exploit it.

I mean, the scout team did a great job again. I think the coaches had a good game plan. I think everybody who played watch film, like they always do. We also talked about what to do when they read the post, when they front the post, and stuff like that. That’s something they’ve seen all season with Hunter being so good down there. So those are probably the main things we talked about.

Q. Franz, after the last year of not having the tournament last year, how rewarding is it now to be in this position after the performance you did today to get closer to your ultimate goal?

FRANZ WAGNER: Yeah, I think it makes it that much cooler. Like every team in America, I think — or in the world, this year was tough with COVID and having to test every day. Obviously, the last year being cut short. We wanted it that much more because of that, I think.

You’ve got to give credit to all the teams that made it this far, I think. That in itself is a great accomplishment to stay healthy and keep testing negative and stuff like that. I think this year has been extremely hard on everybody, especially mentally. Like I said, I think it makes it that much cooler to now be in the Elite Eight.

Q. Franz, did you make a concerted effort to attack more, attack the basket, even dishing out as well? With this team right now, it doesn’t seem like we know who’s going to lead the way on any given day. It can come from anybody at any given time. Is that the secret sauce to you guys right now?

FRANZ WAGNER: I think it’s been all season, to be honest. Actually, without Isaiah, we have another weapon that’s not out there, but I think we’ve seen all season that we have multiple guys that can score a lot of points. They’re great shooters from the outside and a threat offensively.

For myself, I think I always try to attack the basket, be aggressive. But like I said, I think all that only happens when we move the ball and don’t dribble too much. That’s when really everything opens up.

Q. Hey, Franz, I know you have experience playing with older teams, based on your pro experience back home. I just wonder if you can kind of explain what it’s like when it’s older groups like that, and if this team’s kind of collective age and experience is showing itself in this tournament run and navigating Isaiah’s injury?

FRANZ WAGNER: Yeah, for sure. I mean, with experience, I think, there also comes confidence to kind of adjust to new situations. So I think with B. Johns, you can see that, I mean, from the first game, really, the Ohio State game, he played really well there and hasn’t stopped since.

But that’s kind of been our identity all year, that next-man-up mentality and being confident out there no matter what your role is. And I think being an older team, I think that shows in those games when maybe you give up a run or something like that and then you find a way to score a couple easy ones or get a couple important stops to then make a run of your own, I think. That mental toughness, I think, has been a challenge in this tournament especially, but it has been all season.

Q. Hey, Franz, talk about how you had five assists, and how are you guys able to move the ball so well against such a big team like FSU? 19 assists versus just 10 for FSU. How were you guys able to move the ball against such a big team?

FRANZ WAGNER: I mean, I like to give the coaching staff some credit. I think we made some good plays that really put us in good positions out there. I mean, like I said, we basically knew how they were going to play us all game with fronting the post and switching everything. So we kind of knew what to expect and did that in practice.

Then I think we did a really good job, like I said, of not allowing them to speed us up and dribble against the switch itself. That’s how we got moving and got them to move and to adjust to us. And we attacked our close-outs. That’s when they pressure so much and can attack the paint. That’s how I got my assist today, and that’s when good things happen for us.

Q. Franz, I was wondering, between the final seconds of the LSU game and tonight’s game, what impressed you the most about Juwan’s coaching and anything he taught you guys this past week?

FRANZ WAGNER: Just the way he can lock in on every single game. It’s really easy to lock out during this week, or just in the hotel. I think he finds a good balance of making sure we’re relaxed, but once the game starts, we’re all ready to go.

Then I think the confidence part of it, before basically every game, he tells everybody to shoot even if we miss the last one. I think you can see that out there on the court that people are really confident out there and just confident and comfortable within their role out there.

Q. I just checked the Boston Celtics schedule. They’re off Tuesday. Any chance your brother is going to show up?

FRANZ WAGNER: I’m not sure. I’m probably going to text him or call him later. I don’t know how much time he has. He probably has some things to figure out with being traded and being in a new city and stuff like that. So I don’t know yet.

Q. You mentioned that Brandon has stepped up right from the beginning, when he was starting in Isaiah’s place, and yet he has a much different game from Isaiah’s. Is it at this point where you guys are now feeling totally comfortable with Brandon in the starting lineup, in terms of knowing where he wants the ball, he knowing where you want to get the ball, and how you work on rebounds and double-teams and things?

FRANZ WAGNER: I mean, yeah, he’s a different player, but we’ve been confident with Brandon at the four and starting at the four for us since that first game. We’ve been in this position before last year when Isaiah got hurt a couple times. I think everybody remembers the Rutgers game where he stepped up big time.

I mean, he’s so talented. We always tell him that he can really be the best player out there when he steps on the court. So we have huge confidence in Brandon. I think he does too. You can see, he played a stellar game today, got some key offensive rebounds, and those little things, I think, are very important when you try to win the championship.

Q. On paper, this seemed like a difficult matchup for Mike against Florida State’s height. How would you evaluate his performance today and his ability to bounce back from last game?

FRANZ WAGNER: I think Mike is so important out there every single game for us. He does so many good things offensively, just reading the game, putting every player in their best position out there. So he deserves more credit for that, I think, even when his own stats maybe don’t show that.

We talked about it actually before the game. He’s been counted out his whole life, so this is nothing new for him. I think he showed that chip on his shoulder is always there. I mean, yeah, I’m very confident with him at the point guard with every matchup that we have.

Q. Four Elite Eights for Michigan since 2013. Pretty safe to say you guys are a basketball school these days, isn’t it?

FRANZ WAGNER: I mean, the basketball court has done a good job, a great job these last couple of years. I’m very confident in the football team. It’s going to surprise a lot of people next year. I don’t want to forget all the other sports too that have gone through these struggles that we have and don’t get the same attention.

I think sports in general, the athletic department at Michigan, you can see how we make steps forward every single year, and that makes me really proud.

Notable Replies

  1. mazs

    Love how Franz almost always gives a shout out to the scout team.

  2. Bmbeach

    What an outstanding representative of the University of Michigan this young man is. The responses are never about him, always about the team, the team, the team. Juwan is really setting a great example and making a difference with all of our players (except for one “Bobby Knight” episode against MD!).

  3. GoBlueScrewOSU7

    Lol, Quinn got stonewalled on the second question about having a lot of old guys. Smith, Brooks, Brown, Livers, Johns, Davis are all seniors with the exception of Johns.

  4. BBREP

    Our starting lineup is a freshman, a sophomore, a junior, a senior, and a grad transfer. The key to our success.

  5. silverblue

    I still remember discussion with guys thinking Juwan struggles with press conferences. Well, I think he’s bcome almost a master of them. AND, while some folks seem to think coaches should be completely forthcoming, I don’t agree, I LOVED his answer to the RSPN guy, “He’s out indefinitely.” But, but…And then Juwan again, “He’s out indefinitely.” I understand the guy asking, and even pressing for a different answer when he didn’t hear what he thought he would, but Juwan gets to answer the question in the way he wants to answer it. End of story for me.

    I thought Juwan was beautiful and very, very good. He was composed and he was articulate. The only answer I wondered about, though, is how we “defended” FSU into shooting 25% from the FT line. Now, THAT is GREAT defense! :wink: :grin: I’m pretty sure he meant 25% form three, and that was great defense! By the way, FSU only shot 6 free throws, so to defend as we did without fouling is great fundamental defense, too. All that focus on defense and preparation DOES pay off!

Discuss the Article

2 more replies

To Top