Michigan Basketball: 3 Things we learned in win over UCF

Hunter has to be in the starting five

I know I have beat this like a dead horse, but Hunter Dickinson simply has to be in the starting lineup and the first 10 minutes against Central Florida were a great example of why.

Senior Austin Davis got the start and while he’s a nice player, he has limitations, which is why even though he starts he is averaging just 12 minutes a game. Davis is one of nine Michigan basketball players getting double-digit minutes but he needs to switch roles with Dickinson.

Davis can scored inside and is averaging more than four points a game and shooting 70 percent. But his ball-screen defense is going to be taken advantage of and it was last night, which is why UCF was scoring 1.5 points per possession in the early going.

Howard may have wanted to wait to start Dickinson, but he’s already playing him 22 minutes a night and Hunter is averaging 14 points a game. He’s also tied for the team lead in rebounds with 7.5, is averaging 1.5 assists and has been the best offensive rebounder on the team.

Dickinson is also shooting 70 percent from the field and from the free throw line. Plus his defense is just better. He’s longer and more athletic. Whether it’s one-on-one or in help situations, Dickinson is better on both ends of the floor.

After watching Brandon Johns have another productive night, you can make the case that he and Terrance Williams need more minutes, not less. I love the effort of Davis and his leadership, but he’s playing a little too much right now and Juwan has to fix the starting five.

Michigan just can’t afford these slow starts because in conference play, they will be much harder to recover from.