Michigan had Juwan Howard back on the bench against Memphis.
Memphis’ Jahvon takes a shot while University of Michigan’s Taris Reed Jr.
blocks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Battle 4 Atlantis on Paradise Island, Bahamas, Wednesday, Nov.
13, 2023.
Michigan_Wolverines_Logo.svg
Kunally (right).
(Tim Iren/Bahamas Visual Service via AP) AP Juwan Howard returned to the University of Michigan men’s basketball bench Wednesday and witnessed his heartbreaking loss up close.
The Wolverines fought back from a 16-point deficit in the second half and came within one point of the Battle 4 Atlantis opener against Memphis in the Bahamas, but were unable to score the winning goal and lost 71-67.
.
Michigan will play the loser of Wednesday night’s game between No.
20 Arkansas and Stanford on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
ET Thursday on ESPNU.
Michigan head coach Howard, who is recovering from offseason heart surgery, has been in the arena but not on the bench for Michigan’s previous games.
On Wednesday, he had a front-row seat at the Imperial Ballroom on Paradise Island and was often seen standing with interim coach Phil Martelli on the television broadcast.
The Wolverines lost their second straight game, dropping their total to three wins and two losses.
They led Memphis 6-4, but not again.
With 46 minutes remaining, Michigan was behind by 16 points, 16-4,444, and continued to counterattack with a series of 3-point shots.
4: With 12 left, Trey Jackson made a free throw and the lead was just one point, 59-58.
Michigan was stopped and took two good shots to the basket, but missed both.
Memphis answered with a 3, starting an 8-0 run and seemingly clinching the game at 5: 23 without Michigan making a field goal.
It’s not that fast.
Michigan forced several turnovers and got within two points on a corner from the Jackson 3 with 10 seconds left.
Michigan’s ensuing trap on the inbounds didn’t work, and Memphis made two free throws with four seconds left to seal the victory.
Olivier Nkamua led Michigan with 18 points, but hit just 6 of 15 from the field and was fouled with 2: left and 39 points remaining.
Nimali Barnett had 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds.
Doug McDaniel scored 15 points (5 of 15).
Memphis freshman Ashton Hardaway, head coach Penny Hardaway’s youngest son, led the Tigers with 17 points.
He made five 3s.
Michigan finished the game with 18 turnovers and made 11 of 17 shots from the foul line.
Both teams made 24 3-point shots.
Memphis scored 10 points to Michigan’s eight.
Michigan had a 37-25 lead at halftime.
The Wolverines had more turnovers (13) than field goals (11).
Barnett made 13 shots in the first half, but Michigan shot just 38 percent, including 3-of-12 from long range.
Memphis improves to 4-0 and will play the winner of Arkansas/Stanford on Thursday night.
