Ann Arbor — Like most people quarantined across the country during the spring, Juwan Howard had plenty of time to break down film and review his first season as Michigan’s head coach.
Looking back, Howard was pleased with the offensive numbers. The defensive statistics? Not so much.
The Wolverines finished last season ranked 10th in scoring defense (71.1 points) and 11th in field-goal percentage defense (43.6%) during Big Ten play. Among all Division I teams, Michigan rated in the middle of the pack nationally.
“We had our coaches' meeting and I said, 'We've got to be a kick-ass defensive team,’” Howard recalled after Michigan mauled Minnesota, 82-57, on Wednesday night.