Defend the Block: Johns Talks 2021-22 Goals, The Return to Crisler
10/12/2021 8:10:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Features
On this week's edition of the "Defend the Block" podcast, Brian Boesch catches up with Brandon Johns Jr. to talk about the 2021-22 season. Johns reflects on the craziness of last season, the team's deep tournament run, the return of Eli Brooks, the personalities of the incoming freshman class, and the excitement around playing in Crisler Center again.
By Morgan Wagner
Scrappy University of Michigan men's basketball forward Brandon Johns Jr. is no stranger to the court, kicking off his senior season with 86 games and 15 starts under his belt. In the 2021 postseason, he stepped into a pivotal role after Isaiah Liver's season-ending foot injury. With big shoes to fill, he scored 40 points and collected 13 rebounds in the NCAA March Madness Tournament.
His role this year will stretch far beyond last, as he will be tasked with leveraging his voice and skills on the court to guide younger players and lead the team to a national championship title.
"I definitely have been trying to work on being more vocal with everybody, holding people accountable," Johns told host Brian Boesch on this week's episode of the "Defend the Block" podcast. "I'm just trying to be that type of leader out there but also trying to guide everybody."
Last season, Johns was a reliable contributor for the Wolverines, appearing in all 28 games and averaging 4.9 points, 12.9 minutes and 2.3 rebounds per game. This season, Johns has been focused on putting in the work in the off-season, with the goal of redemption in the Final Four in New Orleans.
Consistency is Johns' main focus in prepping for the Nov. 10 opener against Buffalo and beyond. He has been tirelessly working on refining his jumpshot, polishing his ball-handling skills and improving rebounding physicality in order to be a reliable teammate and player.
"I really want to be a really tenacious rebounder out there," the East Lansing, Mich., native said, "and just bring energy ... always bring energy."
With the right vigor and intensity, Johns is confident that the Wolverines will be a contender, and believes the team is hungry for a national championship. As an experienced and knowledgeable veteran in his fourth season with the Wolverines, he hopes to play a major role in achieving this goal.
"By the end of the year, I really just want to be able to say that I brought any and everything that I possibly could out on that hardwood floor to help my teammates win, to help my coaches win, and to get that national championship," he said. "And it's going to happen. It's got to happen."
Johns expressed how fans are undoubtedly a catalyst of energy and adrenaline in tight game situations, especially against rival opponents like Michigan State. Crowd intensity and excitement were severely missed last season, he said, and the entire men's basketball team can't wait to return to a packed and powerful Crisler Center on Nov. 10.
"That's kinda all I think about sometimes," Johns said. "We're going to really embrace it and enjoy every second of it and it's only going to make us better."
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