Assistant coach Justin Joyner: Freshman guard LJ Cason ‘earned’ minutes

Michigan men’s basketball has four freshman guards on the roster: Phat Phat Brooks, LJ Cason, Howard Eisley Jr. and Justin Pippen. Cason and Pippen have gotten the most minutes, and both see the floor rather consistently. Cason scored at least ten points in three of the first four games, though he hasn’t done so since.

LJ Cason ‘earned those minutes’ against Purdue, more on his rise

Earlier this month, head coach Dusty May said Cason might be the best on the team when it comes to making an individual play. Cason was originally committed to FAU, but he followed head coach Dusty May to Ann Arbor last offseason.

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Assistant coach Justin Joyner said Cason has been consistent as of late. 

“The last couple weeks he’s stacked some really good days together,” Joyner said of Cason at a press conference Friday. “As a young player in an old man’s game, so to speak, it’s really hard to stay the course. It’s difficult to not hear your name called (and) it’s difficult to not get in games.

“… He’s brought it every day. It doesn’t mean that he’s been great every day, but (with) his intention, his focus, he’s been there every day.”

Against Purdue on Tuesday, starting guard Tre Donaldson scored nine of Michigan’s first 11 points. Donaldson cooled off leading up to halftime, and Cason came in with over two minutes left. Purdue didn’t score another point for the rest of the half, and Joyner said it was the perfect situation for Cason.

“… In a game like that, where we were switching things up, we needed depth,” Joyner said. “Tre didn’t have a great run late in the first half I believe, so we just needed to find a jolt of energy on both ends of the ball. We felt like LJ had earned those minutes, and it was the type of game where we could use some penetration, some defensive physicality and some disruption. 

“It was a game that kind of called for LJ, and I think moving forward for him it’s about just honoring the process every day, and being ready when your number’s called.”

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