Michigan Basketball: Last week in review, Wolverine hoops edition Vol. 3

In the third week’s edition of last week in review for Michigan basketball: A commitment elsewhere, Juwan’s not leaving, and some recruiting talk.

At the beginning of the week, I’m going to cover the past seven days of Michigan basketball news. I know how much time it takes to keep up with high school kids interested in the program, offers, predictions, and what’s happening inside Crisler. So instead of refreshing Twitter every minute, take a break and check out GBMWolverine as soon as you kick off your workweek.

Here’s the latest. (click on the highlight portion to read the entire article)

Juwan Howard’s name floated as an NBA coaching candidate. Dismisses rumors.

Yes, it’s going to happen. Juwan Howard’s name is going to come up as NBA heading coaching positions are vacated. Howard was already on several shortlists and might be the head man on an NBA team today had he not accepted the position in Ann Arbor.

After a successful start with a group of guys he barely knew, NBA executives have taken notice. The good news is Juwan isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. He’s dismissed the rumor just as quickly as they arrived, and he did so with conviction.

Michigan reaching out to Jaden Schutt

“Jaden scored 51 points off 17 three-pointers,” coach Sovern said in his interview with me. “The opposition sat in a zone and he was hot early on. Basically, he did all of that damage through 3 quarters. I gave him one possession in the 4th quarter to earn the State record and he went and got it.”

You heard that right: 17 three-pointers in one game. Jaden Schutt can shoot, to say the least. While his defense could use some polishing, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard is going to be drilling threes at the professional level one day, and the Wolverines are more than interested in being the jumping-off point for the kid from a suburb of Chicago.

On the current roster, Jaden is closest to Isaiah Livers or Franz Wagner, but comparing him to Michigan men of the past, Jaden most resembles Duncan Robinson.

The Wolverines might have an advantage with Harrison Ingram

In an interview with Greg Guiler, Harrison Ingram’s head coach, Greg said something that I doubt even those currently on staff knew about.

“He was the first one to ever come in our gym,” Guiler said of the Wolverine’s former assistant Luke Yaklich, who’s now the head coach at UIC. “The first Division I coach I’ve had at our gym and he came in 3-4 years ago and wanted to see Harrison and one of his teammates who just graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. I kind of see Michigan as being the first to the table and, in many ways, unlocked the exposure for these guys in ways that we are eternally grateful for.”

Ingram is a five-star and one of Michigan basketball’s most targeted recruits. While Stanford and Purdue are the reported leaders, U-M is making its case for the incredibly gifted wing from Texas.

Michigan basketball: Transfer, list, and commit

DDJ is out, and able to play

David DeJulius is a John Beilein point guard. A traditional distributor that will occasionally score, but only within the bounds of the Beilein system. John wanted a shorter guard that will hold onto the ball for 90 percent of the time the Wolverines are on offense.

Juwan Howard has openly declared his style of play as positionless and he began the process of finding a ball handler to fit his system as soon as he accepted the job. Mike Smith is that guy. David took notice and transferred to Cincinnati.

He was granted immediate eligibility. Michigan’s other outbound transfer, Colin Castleton, is also able to play.

That should be good news for Chaundee Brown, once his case is heard.

Michigan included in Bryce Hopkins top nine

Bryce Hopkins is trending toward Kentucky, but for now, Michigan is still in play for the talented four-star who previously committed to Lousiville.

Will the Chicago native who attends Mike Smith’s former high school still head south instead of playing near his home? The chances are high.

Michigan target Brandon Weston commits to Seton Hall

Many long suspected Brandon Weston would never suit up in the maize and blue. Howard already has two capable wings in Kobe Bufkin and Isaiah Barnes, and although Weston is ranked slightly higher than them, Brandon chose the school with a great need for his services.