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Juwan Howard reveals turning point in Michigan’s comeback win over Wisconsin

By Anthony Brown

Feb 14, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard argues a call with NCAA referee Bo Boroski during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard argues a call with NCAA referee Bo Boroski during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Juwan Howard knew the moment the tide turned in the comeback win over Wisconsin.

No. 3 Michigan basketball completed a comeback win over No. 21 Wisconsin Badgers, but it didn’t come without controversy.

A Mike Smith drive to the basket was met with an elbow to the face by Badger guard Brad Davison. Twitter had a lot to say about the play, and it didn’t make the Wolverine bench happy either. The eruption after the play resulted in a technical foul on Michigan. That play changed everything.

Juwan Howard and Michigan basketball were fired up after that play. They took advantage of the moment.

According to The Athletic’s Brendan Quinn, Howard believed that was a non-basketball play. The Wolverines came together as a team on behalf of Smith.

Howard said: “I sure did. I thought, from my angle, it looked like a non-basketball play, but the referee went and took a look at the monitor. I trust their decision, saying it was a basketball play, but our guys looked at it and saw their brother looking pretty dazed and effected by the elbow. But Mike told his teammates, ‘Hey, I’m fine, I’m ready to go.’

He also told me because I was a little fired up, too. It was nice to see that they all rallied together. It was a big, huge test of our culture. The No. 1 thing in our culture – the word that we say, and that we believe in, is family. It just goes to show you, the family got tested, and everyone banded together like brothers.”

Howard intentionally called the next play for Smith. He made a layup on their next possession and got two steals later on in the game. Smith finished the game with six points, six assists, and two steals.

Isaiah Livers had a game-high 20 points and seven rebounds. Hunter Dickinson had 15 rebounds, 11 points, and five blocks in the 67-59 victory.

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