PHIL MARTELLI

They haven’t been on campus even a month, but Michigan’s freshmen have impressed in summer workouts so far. The group, ranked 10th in the country per the 247Sports composite, is part of a new-look Michigan men’s basketball roster for the 2022-23 season. If he can use that size to his advantage defensively and on the glass, he can have a special freshman season. He’s shown a nice feel for the game on both ends, with coaches envisioning him as an aggressive, full-court defender. Michigan will get 10 additional practices as a result of the team’s summer trip to Paris and Greece.

Michigan basketball assistant coach Phil Martelli will enter the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame this year, it was announced on Tuesday (June 14). Wait, Martelli wasn’t already in the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame? Juwan Howard, seeking an experienced college head coach, made him part of his initial staff. Last season, Martelli stepped in as acting head coach when Howard was suspended for the final five games of the regular season. Facing five teams that would make the NCAA Tournament, Michigan went 3-2, including a win at Ohio State in the regular-season finale.

Never mind that Will Tschetter hasn’t played an official game for Michigan basketball, having redshirted his freshman season. Tschetter (pronounced “cheddar”) played 4:54 of Michigan’s lone exhibition game, on Nov. 5 at Wayne State. It was around that time that Howard, Michigan’s head coach, spoke with Tschetter and his family about redshirting. He’s not a finished product because of how hard he works.”During practices, Tschetter played on the scout team along with another freshman, Isaiah Barnes. “He didn’t come here to be the 12th man,” Martelli said of Tschetter.

The Michigan Wolverines might face one of their former teammates next basketball season. Zeb Jackson, who entered the transfer portal in January, announced this weekend his new school: VCU. Michigan could play VCU as part of a four-team tournament in November. Jackson, an Ohio native, announced on Saturday he’d be transferring to VCU. Michigan and VCU are both set to play in the Legends Classic in Brooklyn, New York, on Nov. 16 and 17.

The Michigan men’s basketball team wrapped the 2021-22 season on Thursday with a loss to Villanova in the Sweet 16. Those are some of the key questions facing head coach Juwan Howard and the Wolverines in the coming days, weeks, and months. If there was a common theme, it was that none had been to the NCAA Tournament before. After two misses and two turnovers in nine minutes of Michigan’s NCAA Tournament opener, he didn’t get off the bench in the final two games. Michigan also brings in a couple of freshman who could help: point guard Dug McDaniel and wing Jett Howard.

SAN ANTONIO -- Phil Martelli is standing outside Michigan’s locker room inside AT&T Center, and he’s answering a question about how the team handled its season ending earlier that night, but he’s distracted by thoughts of the game itself. Extended pauses.

Michigan coach Juwan Howard returns from a five-game suspension as the Wolverines face Indiana at Indianapolis in a Big Ten Tournament game with major ramifications for both teams.

Juwan Howard has resumed his role as Michigan’s basketball coach after serving a five-game suspension for hitting a Wisconsin assistant in the head.

Howard didn’t imagine Martelli would actually fill those shoes, but that’s where the Michigan men’s basketball program found itself two weeks ago. Martelli’s performance as acting head coach these past five games has been outstanding, if not entirely surprising. Martelli didn’t try to be Howard but he did maintain the program’s ethos. Martelli didn’t scream or point fingers. First off, it’s reasonable to expect a dip when the head coach is abruptly absent.

DeVante' Jones scored 21 points and Michigan rallied in the second half, wrapping up its up-and-down Big Ten regular season by beating No. 23 Ohio State 75-69 Sunday.

In the second half he scored on a driving layup and converted two free throws for the game’s final points. “Ever since he’s come to Michigan, he’s kept his head up,” Martelli said of Williams, a sophomore whose playing time has fluctuated. Those five games are in the books -- Michigan went 3-2 -- but Howard’s status is unclear. According to Williams, Dickinson started vomiting around 3 a.m. and told Williams he had food poisoning. If Dickinson recovers -- and his sickness doesn’t spread -- and Howard returns to the program, Michigan will enter the Big Ten Tournament at full strength.

DeVante’ Jones scored 21 points and Michigan rallied in the second half, wrapping up its up-and-down Big Ten regular season by beating No. 23 Ohio State 75-69.

DeVante’ Jones scored 21 points and Michigan rallied in the second half, wrapping up its up-and-down Big Ten regular season by beating No. 23 Ohio State 75-69.

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan fifth-year senior guard Eli Brooks has been terrific for Michigan all season: productive, consistent, a leader. Win, loss, win, loss. Michigan didn’t get much of a scoring punch outside of Brooks (17 points) and Hunter Dickinson (21). The Wolverines didn’t make Iowa feel them defensively, allowing the Hawkeyes to get way too comfortable early on. Martelli didn’t name names on Thursday, but Brooks needs help.

EAST LANSING – By now, Michigan State’s staff knows how to get ready for a game against Michigan. Now, a month after that win, Michigan State is going through its third round of regular-season prep for a Michigan game ahead of a Tuesday matchup (8:30 p.m., FS1), the rescheduled game from the postponed Jan. 8 matchup. And all that experience preparing for Michigan has been coming in handy for Michigan State coaches and players. Seeding for the postseason is about all that’s on the line in the next three games this week for Michigan State. That includes getting to the free throw line more than Michigan State has in recent games and continuing to rebound well.

Do offices have water coolers anymore? Phil Martelli isn’t sure, but this would be the type of game that gathered co-workers for spirited discussion. Maize and blue vs. green and white. Wolverines vs. Spartans. Michigan vs. Michigan State.

Michigan needs wins, fast, to feel good about an NCAA Tournament berth. At this point, it’s not wrong to assume a win puts Michigan back in the NCAA Tournament and a loss knocks them out. Tuesday’s game against Michigan State is the most important game of the season simply because it is the next game. The difference between Illinois, firmly in the Tournament field and a potential Big Ten champion, and Michigan is not much. Michigan, Martelli said, makes great use of game days, watching film and tweaking the game plan.

Kofi Cockburn scored 27 points and Alfonso Plummer had 26, helping No. 15 Illinois beat Michigan 93-85.

Phil Martelli pumped his left fist in the air, celebrating a win Michigan needed after Juwan Howard’s swipe.

Phil Martelli pumped his left fist in the air, celebrating a win Michigan needed after Juwan Howard's swipe.

That meant a lot to Martelli, a Michigan assistant since Howard arrived in 2019. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel didn’t ask Martelli to try to coach the team in Howard’s absence. After Rutgers got within three, Michigan used an 11-0 run midway through the half to take control for good. Every win counts for a Michigan team battling for an NCAA Tournament invitation. Martelli and Howard hadn’t connected postgame yet at that point, but Martelli gave a preview of the message he’d share with Howard when they do.

Michigan defeated Rutgers Wednesday night as interim coach Phil Martelli led his first game filling in for Juwan Howard. The Wolverines, ahead just two points at the half, rallied to distance Rutgers and finish 71-62. The Wolverines have four games remaining in the regular reason, and will host Illinois on Sunday and Michigan State Tuesday. Coach Juwan Howard will miss all of Michigan’s remaining regular season games after a brawl in the postgame handshake line after Michigan’s loss to Wisconsin on Sunday. Check out all our photos above or click the link to the gallery here.

Caleb Houstan scored 13 of his career-high 21 points in the second half when Michigan pulled away to beat Rutgers 71-62 without head coach Juwan Howard, who was serving the first of a five-game suspension.

ANN ARBOR -- A decisive second-half run gave Michigan an important win over Rutgers in the Wolverines’ first game without suspended head coach Juwan Howard. Michigan lost its first meeting of the season with Rutgers, on Jan. 4, which doubled as the program’s first-ever loss to Rutgers. After a Rutgers timeout, Bufkin scored at the rim, capping an 11-0 run that made it 59-45 with 8:50 left. The Scarlet Knights didn’t get the deficit to single digits until 1:13 left, when they scored for the final points of the game. Rutgers ended up with the final shot, a near miss from Ron Harper Jr., and Michigan led 32-30 at the break.

Michigan will play its first game without head coach Juwan Howard when Rutgers visits on Wednesday. It is the first of four straight home games for Michigan before a single road game to close the regular season. Michigan didn’t get much from its backcourt in that game, shot just 3-of-15 from 3, and watched as Rutgers hit a ton of jump shots. But, Martelli acknowledged, “A game shot is different than shooting one in the (practice facility) at 8 in the morning. Game InformationWho: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (16-10, 10-6) at Michigan Wolverines (14-11, 8-7)Where: Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Michigan); capacity: 12,707When: Wednesday, February 23, 7:01 p.m.

Phil Martelli is all set to guide Michigan for the rest of the college basketball regular season.

Michigan Wolverines basketball coach Juwan Howard is suspended for the final five games of the regular season, the school announced Monday (Feb. 21).

That’s what the Michigan men’s basketball team needs over the next couple of weeks, as head coach Juwan Howard serves a five-game suspension and his top assistant fills in. “I am not Juwan Howard,” Martelli said, the first words out of his mouth once the press conference began on Tuesday afternoon. According to Martelli, Howard sent two heartfelt text messages to everybody in the program late Sunday night. Director of operations Chris Hunter will move to an assistant coach role and, like Howard did, coach the big men in practice. Assistant Howard Eisley will step in as the offensive coordinator of sorts.

With Juwan Howard suspended, Michigan needed someone to fill his shoes as acting head coach. The Wolverines certainly could have done worse than a guy with 772 games of experience as a college head coach. Phil Martelli will act as Michigan’s head coach while Howard serves his five-game suspension. Howard is in his third season as Michigan’s coach, and Martelli has been his top assistant -- associate head coach is his official title -- throughout. Martelli came to Ann Arbor from Saint Joseph’s, where he’d spent the previous 34 years, including 24 as head coach.

Following a 5-game suspension by the University of Michigan, the four words Monday (Feb. 21) night from Juwan Howard, many thought, were a day late; I am truly sorry.

The Michigan men’s basketball team’s efforts to improve its postseason standing will apparently take place without its head coach. After Michigan lost at Wisconsin, 77-63, Howard and Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard got into a heated exchange in the postgame handshake line. With Howard out, associate head coach Phil Martelli stands to fill in as acting head coach. Martelli was the head coach at Saint Joseph’s for 24 seasons, compiling a 444-328 record, the most wins in school history. After Howard was ejected from Michigan’s Big Ten Tournament game against Maryland last season, Martelli took over for the final 10:44 and guided the Wolverines to victory.

Purdue’s offense ranks first in the country per kenpom.com, whether adjusted for competition or not. See also: The night before Michigan basketball games, the student managers competePurdue shoots 42 percent from 3 as a team, second in the country. “I’m going to break the coaching code here and say I actually think our best defense in this game is our offense,” Martelli said. (Purdue ranks 93rd in adjusted defensive efficiency.) Michigan beat Purdue at Mackey last season and won again there in the NCAA Tournament opener over Texas Southern.

Starting center Hunter Dickinson and key reserve Brandon Johns Jr., a forward, were both held out against Illinois out of precaution after recently contracting COVID-19. The program appears ready to take a similar approach in advance of Tuesday’s home game with Maryland (7 p.m. Both Dickinson and Johns appeared at Michigan’s workout on Sunday evening, according to assistant coach Phil Martelli, but neither were full participants. “Their long-term wellbeing will be the determining factor.”Unlike Dickinson and Johns, sophomore guard Zeb Jackson didn’t even make the trip to Champaign. If Dickinson had stayed quiet and tried to play, he could have set back Michigan’s timeline even more, Martelli said.

The Michigan men’s basketball team went to Las Vegas with a No. Michigan was outclassed by Arizona on Sunday night in the championship game of the four-team Roman Main Event in Las Vegas, 80-62. Against Arizona, he continued a trend he’s shown so far at Michigan: following up an impressive play with a mistake. “We’re in great shape at that position with DeVante’ Jones,” Martelli said. After losing the turnover battle against Arizona 15-10, Michigan has now committed 68 turnovers on the season, 11 more than their opponents.

Bounce-back performanceAfter dropping its first game of the season on Tuesday -- Michigan blew an 11-point second-half lead to Seton Hall -- Michigan looked good from start to finish against UNLV. Many of the issues that plagued Michigan against Seton Hall were corrected against UNLV. After going 1-for-9 from the field, including 0-for-4 from 3 against Seton Hall, freshman Caleb Houstan shot 1-for-8 (1-for-5 from deep) against UNLV. He called the Seton Hall performance a “tough one” for himself and the team. Some of the defensive issues he had against Seton Hall appeared to be corrected.

Hunter Dickinson was the leading scorer in Michigan’s game against Seton Hall on Tuesday. Seton Hall had just scored to cut the deficit to nine, the beginning of the comeback in a 67-65 win at Crisler Center. Michigan assistant coach Phil Martelli said on Thursday night that the offensive pace and rhythm weren’t where they needed to be. Plus, the Wolverines shot poorly from the outside, allowing Seton Hall to pack its defense and surround Dickinson. 4 Michigan Wolverines (2-1) vs. UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (3-0)Where: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada); capacity: 18,000When: Saturday, November 20, 12:30 p.m.

ANN ARBOR -- At Big Ten media day in Indianapolis last month, Michigan men’s basketball head coach Juwan Howard recalled a conversation with one of his assistant coaches, Phil Martelli. What is retros?’”With fans returning to games, will Michigan’s coaches stay casual or go back to the pre-pandemic suit-and-tie ensemble? We’ll find out on Friday night, when Michigan plays at Wayne State in an exhibition game. He donned a three-piece suit, complete with a pocket square, for the game at Michigan State. According to Brian Dutcher, an assistant at Michigan during Howard’s playing career, Howard pressed his uniform before games and ironed his jeans before school.

Many college athletes are already taking advantage, but not all. They represent the majority of college athletes who, according to Gersten, won’t be signing big-time deals. She estimated perhaps 50 to 100 college athletes at any given time who could earn six figures over the course of their college careers. A college athlete may not have the means or the need for such a large team. What puzzled and peeved so many for so long is that while college athletes could not be compensated beyond their scholarship, their classmates could.

Michigan assistant coach Phil Martelli spoke to MLive on Tuesday night to provide insights on what he’s seen so far. In the recruiting process, Michigan targets players with high basketball IQ. A couple of the freshmen have been quiet on the court, a typical adjustment for players from high school to college. The college basketball season starts on Nov. 9. More Michigan basketball content:Michigan recruiting target Ernest Udeh on offer, his skillsMichigan roster updated with new jersey numbers, heights, weightsWhy Hunter Dickinson, once leaning towards the NBA, chose to stay at Michigan

Juwan Howard has told high school basketball players that he wants to dance at their wedding. Michigan’s head men’s basketball coach arrived in Ann Arbor in May of 2019 with a résumé that excited young players. If a Michigan coach mentioned a Zoom call, it was scheduled immediately. By one important measure, this is Howard’s first true recruiting class. Most importantly, when he said it, Tschetter’s mom recalled, “I believed him.”More Michigan basketball content:Michigan lands first commitment for 2022, point guard Dug McDanielPossible starting lineup, depth chart for Michigan with Franz Wagner goneFormer Michigan basketball player went from Wall Street to NBA front office to app designerEli Brooks’ return for a fifth year is big for Michigan basketball

“An impeccable breakfast from the NCAA,” Dickinson captioned, those eggs peppered with sarcasm. Dickinson wasn’t alone in complaining about the food inside the NCAA Tournament bubble in Indianapolis, an environment that has presented some unique challenges as college basketball’s premier event moves forward amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The rules are different for the NCAA Tournament. The bubble environment is probably necessary to play this tournament safely, and the players want to compete. “I sleep diagonally so my feet stay on the bed.”More Michigan basketball content:Down a man, Michigan still has the pieces, and the belief, to make an NCAA Tournament runDon’t expect Michigan’s Isaiah Livers to play in NCAA TournamentNational experts don’t think Michigan will reach Final FourMichigan’s path to Final Four in East Region

The 2021 Big Ten men’s basketball tournament tips off on Wednesday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Michigan and Michigan State, at least, have indicated they don’t plan on returning to campus between the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament or, should they advance in the dance, between rounds. Related: Rested Michigan State heads to Indianapolis hoping for extended stayRutgers, meanwhile, hasn’t made the Tournament since 1991. The Badgers are safely in the NCAA Tournament field but also haven’t won two in a row since Jan. 20. Michigan beats Michigan State in the rubber match.

9 Iowa Hawkeyes (17-6, 11-5) at No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (16-1, 11-1)Where: Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Michigan)When: Thursday, February 25, 7:01 p.m. ETPoint spread: Michigan -4.5Watch: ESPN (Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale)Listen: Ann Arbor: WWWW-102.9 FM; Detroit: WWJ-950 AM; anywhere: MGoBlue.com (Brian Boesch, Terry Mills)Follow: Andrew KahnOn the heels of a 92-87 win, Michigan will face the No. “Defense has got to lead to the victory,” Michigan assistant Phil Martelli said when previewing the Iowa game. Pregame reading:Friends, familiar foes face off as Michigan basketball hosts IowaMichigan basketball to play in Las Vegas next seasonIowa coach: Transfers key to Michigan basketball’s emergence this seasonComparing Michigan basketball to Gonzaga and BaylorMichigan sought out extra motivation on social media before beating Ohio State

The members of Michigan’s scout team are experienced, efficient, and experts at helping prepare for the next opponent. Baird are part of Michigan’s scout team, the unit tasked with simulating the opponent’s offense and defense. They know all the different actions.”With no fans at games this year, it’s easier to hear the scout team members during games. Once practice starts, the coaches call out plays and the scout team runs them against Michigan’s starters. To an outsider, being on the scout team is a thankless job.

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan assistant Phil Martelli said that Minnesota provided a road map for how to beat the Wolverines. Michigan started its previous game without the focus or intensity needed to win in the Big Ten. Dickinson had the worst game of his young career against Minnesota’s double teams, scoring a season-low nine points and committing five turnovers. When the Terrapins deployed double teams, and they did often, Michigan had a plan. He’d chosen to play Dickinson straight up in the first meeting, only for the big man to score 26 points in a Michigan win.

Who: Maryland Terrapins (8-6, 2-5) at No. 7 Michigan Wolverines (11-1, 6-1)Where: Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Michigan)When: Tuesday, January 19, 7:01 p.m. Just as Michigan beat Minnesota in their first meeting this season, the Wolverines beat Maryland, 84-73 in College Park, on Dec. 31. Upon learning their game scheduled for Saturday against Nebraska wouldn’t happen due to COVID-19 issues in the Nebraska program, the Terrapins scheduled a game against Wingate, a Division II program, for Friday. Pregame reading:Michigan’s Eli Brooks a game-time decision vs. MarylandMichigan basketball holds steady in AP poll after roller coaster weekWith perfect season over, how will Michigan basketball respond?

Juwan Howard has awoken early many mornings with Michigan hoops on his mind. Related: Franz Wagner: Stronger, taller, and primed for a big season for Michigan basketballZavier Simpson leaves a massive void at point guard. “Being perfectly frank,” Martelli said, “sometimes it’s bullshit.” When Howard talks about the brotherhood of Michigan basketball, he means it. “I’m not just their basketball coach,” Howard said. I’m staying positive.”More Michigan basketball content:Isaiah Livers ready to be ‘top dog’ for MichiganRealistic expectations for Michigan’s talented freshmenWhat Michigan needs to tighten up before seasonNo fans, just cutouts, at Michigan basketball games this season‘Welcome to the Michigan family!’: Juwan Howard details his No.

Until recently, Franz Wagner hadn’t watched clips from his freshman season in months. Martelli said in February that more strength was the only thing keeping Wagner from being a perfect basketball player. Left: Franz Wagner before his freshman season in 2019-20. It’s crazy.”On Wednesday, in Michigan’s season opener against Bowling Green, he’ll give opponents, fans, and the rest of the public their first look at the new and improved Franz Wagner. More Michigan basketball content:Realistic expectations for Michigan basketball’s talented freshmenNo fans, just cutouts, at Michigan basketball games this seasonMichigan’s 2020-21 schedule released‘Welcome to the Michigan family!’: Juwan Howard details his No.

Michigan State’s Rocket Watts made the Big Ten’s All-Freshman team last year. Michigan assistant coach Phil Martelli spoke about Dickinson and his classmates at length on Wednesday, one week before Michigan hosts Bowling Green. Per Martelli, he’s shot the ball well from outside so far but turnovers have been an issue. More Michigan basketball content:Michigan basketball to hold intra-squad scrimmage to prepare for seasonMichigan’s 2020-21 schedule released‘Welcome to the Michigan family!’: Juwan Howard details his No. 1 recruiting classNo fans, just cutouts, at Michigan basketball games this seasonMichigan’s Zavier Simpson signs with NBA champion Lakers

The season is less than a week away, and Michigan is less prepared than usual. Michigan, in preparation for its first game against Bowling Green on Wednesday, will hold an intra-squad scrimmage on Friday: 40 minutes of full-court action with limited instruction. The team as a whole has a high basketball IQ, allowing the teaching to take place at an “aggressive” pace. Michigan won’t practice on Saturday, and Sunday will focus on individual development. More Michigan basketball content:Michigan basketball will open season against Bowling GreenZeb Jackson: Michigan’s through-the-legs dunking freshman‘Welcome to the Michigan family!’: Juwan Howard details his No.

Before the first official Michigan basketball practice earlier this month, assistant coach Phil Martelli spoke to the seniors. A contributor for his first three seasons at Michigan, Brooks is preparing for his final season in Ann Arbor. “I think he complements me really well because we both can play on the ball and we both can play off the ball,” Brooks said of Smith. We have confidence in each other.”When Juwan Howard was hired before last season, Brooks recalled being asked which guard position he preferred. More Michigan basketball content:He fishes, hunts, and scores in the paint: Austin Davis ready for final season with Michigan basketballMichigan basketball practice intel: early look at talented freshmenIsaiah Livers ready to be ‘top dog’ for Michigan basketballMichigan basketball All-Decade team: The star-studded 2010s

Last week, Isaiah Livers predicted that Michigan’s starting lineup, if the season were to start then, would include redshirt senior Austin Davis. But he’s skillful, he can score, and he has a bright basketball mind.”Martelli added that Dickinson welcomes and accepts coaching, something Davis mentioned as well. But Hunter is just naturally funny.”Dickinson’s former AAU teammate Terrance Williams II is another Michigan freshman. “When you look at these four freshmen, where they come from is evident,” Martelli said. More Michigan basketball content:Mike Smith adjusting to give Michigan basketball the point guard it needsMichigan football staffer’s ‘pocket dial’ to recruit among school’s recent NCAA violationsIsaiah Livers ready to be ‘top dog’ for Michigan basketballMichigan basketball All-Decade team: The star-studded 2010s