Michigan Basketball: Juwan Howard’s first big test is recruiting

Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard has a lot to learn and lots of questions to answer. But the first thing he needs to master is recruiting.

Since Juwan Howard was hired as the head coach of Michigan basketball, there have been questions about his lack of head coaching experience.

Those questions weren’t alleviated during his introductory press conference Thursday, where he didn’t really talk in detail about his plans for the offensive or defensive systems or even the kinds of players Michigan basketball, would recruit.

And while there were many fans and pundits that were critical of that or started somewhat freaking out about that, it’s too early to get caught up in any of that.

Besides, who cares what Howard said during his first press conference. What matters is what Howard and his staff, once it is finalized, do on the recruiting trail.

Being a successful recruiter is going to be essential for Howard at Michigan. He is not the technician that John Beilein was but no one else is either. So, Howard has to win his own way, which sounds like it will be with defense and hopefully, more elite talent.

Howard will certainly be able to cast a wider net, not only because of his NBA ties and name recognition but also because Michigan basketball is viewed as an elite program right now. All that will get him in a lot of doors. His connections to the league and to guys like Dwayne Wade and LeBron won’t hurt either.

In terms of his system, I am sure he has some core things he wants to base it on. To his credit, he’s not an expert on the college game anymore. Phil Martelli, who is expected to be one of his assistants, is an expert. He has won 444 games and he should be to help Howard adjust and adapt things to the college game.

Where Howard needs to adjust most quickly though is recruiting. Not only is he trying to hold together the 2019 class by trying to get Jalen Wilson back in the fold, but there are other potential options too such as Jaevin Cumberland, Franz Wagner and Tevin Mack of Alabama.

Adding a shooting guard or a couple of wings that could play next season would be huge for Michigan basketball and that has to be on Howard’s to do list. Yet, the bigger prize is the 2020 recruiting class.

Michigan will have at least three scholarships available and maybe as much as five. That group as much as any could determine Howard’s success as head coach. It already includes Zeb Jackson, who Howard will need to keep onboard and from there, Howard needs to get to work.

Beilein obviously had invested some time in 2020 but it’s hard to put any stock in any of that. Howard will need to identify who he wants to fit his program going forward. But remember Michigan’s two commitments, Cole Bajema and Jalen Wilson came last summer.

The early signing period is in November and that means Howard better adapt quickly because when it comes to recruiting, there is no time for a learning curve.