Michigan Basketball: Will Hunter Dickinson start right away?

Michigan basketball has an experienced center in Austin Davis, but will the incoming freshman Hunter Dickinson steal the show?

Juwan Howard didn’t wait until the end of the season to open up about the relationship he has with now fifth-year senior Austin Davis, and his status going forward. Howard said Davis would be returning for another go as a Michigan basketball player and, judging by ‘Big Sleeps’ progress and additional minutes, it appeared Davis was the favorite for the starting gig.

Jon Teske ran out of eligibility and Colin Castleton, the other backup center, is no longer on the roster as he entered his name into the transfer portal.

In the past, Brandon Johns Jr. had dipped his toes into the center pool only to be tossed out by Colin and Austin. He made a small resurgence in 2019-20; albeit against smaller lineups.

The position is therefore left to Austin, the heir to the throne. Or is it?

Enter Hunter Dickinson

Hunter Dickinson didn’t take the same path as Davis. Austin wasn’t a top-100 player and he wasn’t as highly regarded as Hunter. Davis was never considered a future NBA prospect, more of practice squad caliber with potential to drop into the sixth man position.

Dickinson, however, is one of the best in the nation. More specifically, Hunter is 40th in the for the 2020 class, according to 247 sports, with an almost perfect 9848 composite score. He’s got NBA talent written all over him and he’s projected, by Jerry Meyer from 247 sports, to be drafted in the second round. Here’s Jerry’s evaluation of Hunter ($):

"Big body who can occupy space. Not an explosive athlete. Good basketball IQ and positional defender and rebounder. Effective in the high/low game. Knows how to seal his man and can also deliver a pass from the high post. Has reliable jump hook with his dominant left hand. Can make a face-up midrange shot. Should end up being a second-round draft choice."

ESPN has Hunter as 39th in the nation and seventh at his position. Here’s there evaluation ($)

"Strengths:Dickinson is a talented and emerging post prospect. The southpaw has great size, a sturdy frame, and an advanced interior skill set at this early stage. He posts strong to provide a big target on the block, has soft touch, good dexterity around the rim, and an established hook over his right shoulder. He also has a quickly emerging passing instinct that should eventually allow him to be able to play off the elbows and extend his game away from the rim. He runs fairly well and, unlike most young big men, seems comfortable in his own skin. He doesn’t back down from older players or high level competition, doesn’t appear to mind contact, doesn’t show any hesitation or timidness, and competes on the glass.Weaknesses:He plays a little bit of an outdated style as a throwback style low post player and needs to continue to extend his game away from the basket and diversifying his offensive game, without sacrificing his efficiency. While he is young enough that he is likely still growing into his body, he’s not overly agile or athletic at this standpoint, and maybe even a little stiff in his upper body. If he evolves into a rim protector it will be based on positioning and sheer size more so than quick bounce. Defensively, he also lacks the lateral quickness to step away from the basket and move his feet, whether that’s to guard ball-screens or more mobile bigs.Bottom Line:He’s a seven-foot lefty who is naturally talented and far ahead of the curve, but with the way the game has evolved he’ll need to continue to extend his game away from the basket on both ends of the floor in the coming years."

Matt’s musings

Austin showed flashes of star power as a capable backup when Jon Teske needed a breather or when in foul trouble. Davis has foul troubles of his own, but he was able to keep it together enough to survive in some key games.

When it’s all over, the history books will say Davis got the start early on as Hunter learned the playbook and adjusted to the college game. Well before the season kicked into full gear, Dickinson usurped his elder.

At 7-foot-2, he has the height to start, although, Davis is the more physically challenging option, a quality when Hunter picks it up, it will turn him into an unstoppable force in the Big Ten and beyond.