Daily Brews: Howard, Izzo take a stand against coronavirus

Some things are just bigger than sports. It’s a cliche that has been used for decades, but it may be more truthful than ever in today’s day and age. With 334 cases in the state of Michigan, it’s time for two rivals to come together to stop the spread of COVID-19.

While it may seem kind of cheesy at first glance, this is a powerful statement when you dig deeper. It’s time to put everything aside and help each other by unifying and being unselfish to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Please heed their words of advice and stay home if you can. Wash your hands. If you are reading this on your phone, take a second to give it a good cleaning. Or wipe down the keyboard on your laptop. Be smart and stay safe.

AD Warde Manuel pens a letter about the status of Michigan Athletics

U-M atheltic director Warde Manuel released a statement Thursday on the coronavirus’ impact on the Michigan Wolverines’ athletic programs, stating:

“Michigan Athletics is committed to doing our part. While the Big Ten Conference’s cancellation of the remaining winter and spring sports seasons is hugely disappointing to many — most notably our dedicated student-athletes, coaches and staff — we know this step was necessary to combat the spread of this aggressive virus by limiting large gatherings.

“It gives me incredible pride to let you know that our student-athletes, coaches and staff have shown great character and understanding about the importance of supporting the efforts to limit the effects of the coronavirus in this country.”

Read the whole letter in the link below:

Michigan basketball pursuing Columbia grad transfer Mike Smith

The season may be over for Howard and the basketball program, but the work never stops. It appears Michigan has reached out to one of the top transfers on the market, Mike Smith from Columbia.

Smith averaged 22.8 points per game on 43.1 percent shooting from the field and 33.9 percent from deep. Smith also averaged 4.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game.

The point guard could put himself in the conversation for the starting point guard position at Michigan with the exit of Zavier Simpson.

The Wolverines are already over their limit for scholarships, so we will see how Howard and his staff manage with yet another name thrown into the bunch. Maybe there is a chance some players originally counted on are on their way out of Ann Arbor.

Other Brews:

• Michigan basketball assistant coach and one of the top recruiters in the country, Saddi Washington, will remain in Ann Arbor after he pulled his name from the Western Michigan coaching job.
• Former Wolverines football wide receiver and grad assistant Roy Roundtree was hired by Grand Valley State as its wide receivers coach.
• Evan Petzold from WolverinesWire.com spoke with in-state 2021 four-star cornerback Kalen King who said, “it feels different because they surprised me when they offered,” and “I feel as if they really want me as a recruit and person.”
• Michigan hockey star Will Lockwood, who was drafted in the third-round of the 2016 NHL draft by the Vancouver Canucks, officially signed his contract on Thursday.

National Brews:

• Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart, two Lakers players and three personnel members of the 76ers tested positive for coronavirus Thursday.
• New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton also tested positive for coronavirus. He was the first NFL-affiliated member to have the virus.
• Sports may be back in some sort of capacity, as Ice Cube’s BIG 3 league announced a completely quarantined three-week competition in April. Sixteen to 22 players will be isolated in a mansion together and play on the court in a fully-televised event, both on and off the court.