Amid lost season, Juwan Howard and Michigan can’t throw in the towel

Juwan Howard didn’t like it.

Not a 73-63 loss to Michigan State, not the way that Crisler Center was full of green and white, not his team’s 22 turnovers. And most of all, a question if he would rethink what he wants to do after this season.

“Never. I am bought in. I love this place and I love our players and I never ran or never quit in my life,” Howard said. “That’s a good question because it lets me know that you really don’t know me. And if you get to know me a little bit better and know my story, every time and everywhere I’ve been, I’ve always faced the noise, and I roll up my sleeves and find solutions. And we’re going to be solution-based as we finish the season, and the next season is not here. We’re gonna finish this season off strong.”

He takes it personal — all of it. The losses, the reaction, and most of all, the way everyone blames him. He knows his team has struggled this season, and he’s the architect responsible. But give up? No, that’s not part of any game plan. There are still games on the schedule, whether they’re wins or losses.