Juwan Howard and Kennedy Chandler delivered a powerful moment after the Tennessee-Michigan basketball game. The Michigan coach could be seen embracing and consoling the UT freshman guard.

Howard and Chandler were each asked about their embrace in postgame interviews. The U-M coach explained he knows Chandler as a former AAU teammate of his son, Jett Howard.

“Kennedy is an elite player, and he’s one of the best guards in the country,” Howard said. “I got a chance to know Kenny back when my youngest son, Jett, and Kennedy played in AAU, and they won the LeBron James tournament in Ohio. So we had a relationship back then.

“Just watching his growth, I’ve always been impressed. We recruited him, unfortunately, we wasn’t that lucky, but to see the output, the effort, the growth and being able to produce like that on the floor and how he led his team in a special way. I gave him words of encouragement. It shows his emotion, that he cares. As coaches, you appreciate that.”

Chandler detailed those words of encouragement from Howard.

“He said to keep my head up,” Chandler told reporters. “It’s tough for me, and he knew I wanted to get the win. I know him. I’ve played with his son since, like, 4th grade. So I know him for a long time.

“He’s a great coach. I love him. He told me to keep my head up and you played your heart out, that’s what he told me.”