Michigan basketball could be without star guard Jett Howard

On Sunday, Michigan basketball (11-8, 5-3 Big Ten) managed to squeak past the Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-11, 1-7 Big Ten), 60-56. Despite playing some hard-to-watch basketball throughout the first half and losing Jett Howard to an ankle injury, the Wolverines stayed in the game and walked off with the win.

Now, Michigan is tied with No. 23 Rutgers for 2nd place in the Big Ten standings; only behind No. 3 Purdue, who will make the trip to Ann Arbor this Thursday. As we head into arguably the most important game remaining on Michigan’s schedule, the Wolverines will likely be without their star guard, Jett Howard.

Juwan Howard’s statement on his son’s injury

As we all know, Jett Howard is the freshman son of Michigan basketball legend and head coach, Juwan Howard. Here is what the Wolverines’ head coach had to say about his son’s injury after the win:

“I don’t have any information to give you on Jett other than, as you saw, he was in a boot,” Howard said (MLive.com). “He came back out there for the second half to support his teammates, which was great. I feel sorry for the young man because he hates missing basketball. He’s in love with the game of basketball and he wants to help his team on both ends of the floor. We’re not sure how long he’s going to be out.”

Jett Howard leaves Minnesota game due to ankle injury, Juwan Howard gives update https://t.co/EhCNX8btsz pic.twitter.com/3DhGxv3hWQ

— Michigan Football (@Michigan) January 22, 2023

As you can see, even Michigan’s coaching staff is not sure how severe the injury is; however, from what we can insinuate (due to Howard wearing a boot and missing the remainder of the game) Jett Howard will miss at least a few games.

Jett Howard could be a key loss for Michigan basketball

As we head into the final stretch of Michigan’s 2022-23 schedule, the Wolverines will be in search of a few more quality wins in order to get into the NCAA tournament later this year. As things stand right now, Michigan basketball is on the outside looking in with an 11-8 record; however, there is plenty of time to change that.

Michigan faces two ranked teams the rest of the way: No. 3 Purdue (home) and No. 23 Rutgers (away). Additionally, of Michigan’s remaining 12 games, nine of them are Quadrant 1 games. The Wolverines’ only Quad 1 win so far this year is against Pitt; however, there is plenty of time to change this as well.

As we head down the stretch, losing Jett Howard is going to be huge. Ideally, Howard only misses a game or two (if that), and the boot was just a precaution; with that said, I doubt that is the case.

So far this year, Jett Howard is 2nd on Michigan’s roster in points-per-game (15.4) and has been bailing Michigan basketball out in big time situations. Just over a week ago at Iowa, Howard posted a career high with 34 points in the Wolverines’ overtime loss in Iowa City.

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