ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When the Michigan men's basketball team got together on Monday — one day after the postgame mayhem at Wisconsin — Phil Martelli addressed the group.
In 48 hours, the Wolverines would face a surging Rutgers squad without head coach Juwan Howard, starting forward Moussa Diabate and reserve forward Terrance Williams II, who were all suspended for their involvement in Sunday's ugly altercation.
"He just talked about how we can't replace Coach Juwan, we can't replace Moussa, we can't replace Terrance," freshman forward Caleb Houstan said of Martelli's message.
"For example, I'm not going to come in and be Moussa. I've got to come in and be the best version of myself. D.J. (DeVante' Jones) has got to come and be the best version of him. Coach Saddi (Washington) has got to be the best version of him. So just everyone being the best version themselves. That's all we need."
That's exactly what Michigan got from Houstan, who turned in a stellar performance in Martelli's debut as acting head coach. He recorded a season-high 21 points and a career-high-tying five made 3-pointers in Wednesday's 71-62 triumph, helping the Wolverines (15-11, 9-7 Big Ten) start the stretch run on the right foot.
Houstan was locked in from the start. During one sequence less than two minutes into the game, he blocked a layup attempt by Rutgers' Caleb McConnell, scooped up the ball, dribbled it the length of the court and scored on a euro-step layup on the other end.
Another positive sign came early in the first half. After missing his first 3-point shot on a catch-and-shoot attempt from straightaway, Houstan didn't let that stick with him and clutter his mind. Three possessions later, he didn't hesitate to pull the trigger as he drained his first deep ball from the left wing.
"I'm not a shooting instructor or anything, but the only thing that's important for Caleb Houston-level shooters is the next shot, not the last shot," Martelli said. "And for long periods of time this year — you've all watched him — it's the last shot, even in practice. No, let the ball go. Let the ball go.
"He has a brilliant stroke, but he hasn't been beaten down by, 'Oh my god, they don't think I'm that anymore or they're questioning this.'"
Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said after the game he was worried about Houstan's 3-point shooting, even though he entered the matchup on a 3-for-16 stretch over the previous three games and went 1-for-8 in the first meeting on Jan. 4.
That's because Pikiell noticed Houstan's shooting splits, where he's shooting far better at Crisler Center (46.3%; 25-for-54) than on the road (30.5%; 18-for-59). Wednesday provided further proof of that, as Houstan finished 5-for-9 from 3-point range and burned Rutgers during a key second-half moment.
After the Scarlet Knights pulled even at 38 with 16:12 remaining, Houstan broke the tie with back-to-back 3-pointers. The first came on an offensive rebound and kick out by senior forward Brandon Johns Jr. Then 25 seconds later, Houstan splashed one in front of the Michigan bench and the Wolverines never looked back.
When asked how much easier the offense comes when Michigan has a balanced attack and several players stepping up like it did on Wednesday, Houstan said: "When everyone is playing well, it unlocks things for everyone."
Perhaps nobody more so than Houstan. Because not only does his outside shooting open the floor for him, it does for everyone else. It opens driving lanes for fifth-year senior guard Eli Brooks and Jones. It gives sophomore center Hunter Dickinson more room to operate in the post.
More: Phil Martelli prepared to lead UM basketball down stretch: 'I'm going to be me'
Simply put, when Houstan is knocking down outside shots, it bodes well for Michigan's chances of success. The Wolverines are 10-3 in games when he makes at least two 3-pointers. When he makes at least three deep balls, Michigan is 8-0.
While the Wolverines certainly need his 3-point shooting, they also need more of the other plays he made against Rutgers, like the bounce pass between two defenders out of a pick-and-roll play that led to a Dickinson dunk and the hesitation dribble he used to get to the rim and draw a foul.
According to Martelli, one of the best plays Houstan made all night was the backdoor cut he made when Rutgers went to a zone. Even though Houstan missed the layup, Martelli said it showed he's "processing the game."
And as the tests get tougher as the schedule winds down — with home matchups against Illinois, Michigan State and Iowa up next — the Wolverines need this version of Houstan to show up.
"When he's making shots, he's one of the best freshmen in the country, no doubt," Jones said. "Even when he's not making shots, I've still got a lot of trust and faith in him. I love seeing him be aggressive, looking for his shot.
"If he keeps being aggressive like that, the sky's the limit."
