Michigan Basketball: 3 things we learned from loss to Minnesota

Howard needs to change who is playing

Howard has done a great job this season and is doing an even better job on the recruiting trail, but the loss to Minnesota wasn’t his best effort and he would probably be the first to admit that.

One of my immediate takeaways, which it has been for weeks, is that David DeJulius needs more playing time. It’s so obvious. Eli Brooks may be a better defender, but his inconsistency as a shooter is really hampering the offense.

DeJulius did miss some good looks down the stretch too, but he’s just a much bigger threat with the ball in his hands than Brooks. It also takes the load off Simpson and doesn’t force him to take every ball screen.

Howard also needs to stop putting Adrien Nunez on the floor. He’s not good enough and he just looks over his head every time he’s on the floor. The four minutes wasted on him could have gone to DeJulius.

It was frustrating that Howard didn’t use the smaller lineup more that had success against Purdue, but interior defense and rebounding were likely the concern.

One thing that is clear is that Michigan basketball desperately needs Livers back on both ends of the floor. They need his shooting, scoring, defense and rebounding, but Howard also needs to tighten up his rotation a bit and give DeJulius more run.