It is sure to become one of the enduring images of the 2022 NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
The University of Tennessee’s storybook season having come to an abrupt end Saturday evening with the Volunteers’ 76-68 loss to Michigan in the South Regional’s round of 32, superb freshman point guard Kennedy Chandler broke into tears, the Memphis native’s college career likely over after a single season, given his expected exit to the NBA.
But there to console him was none other than Michigan coach Juwan Howard, who pulled Chandler close to his chest and attempted to offer words of encouragement. For Howard, who had been suspended for the final five games of the Wolverines’ regular season after throwing an open-fisted punch at a Wisconsin assistant in another handshake line, it was a remarkable showing of sportsmanship and class.
Turns out Howard’s youngest son, Jett, and Chandler have known each other since elementary school and played AAU ball together. It was the ultimate feel-good moment in a tournament that’s had a few of them as this week’s regional semifinals and finals await.
Afterward, Howard said of the embrace: “I just gave him some words of encouragement.”