Michigan Basketball: Molding into form as loaded Big Ten looms large

Michigan basketball wrapped up its rather soft non-conference slate with a perfect record as the stacked Big Ten is next on the hit list.

The Wolverines tipped off the season on Thanksgiving week with a sneaky under the radar matchup against MAC frontrunner Bowling Green. Michigan basketball almost put 100 on the board and walked away with a 14 point win when all said and done. The Falcons haven’t lost since and remain a favorite to take home the crown in the Mac conference.

Oakland then took the short trip to Crisler after that and nearly came away with a monumental upset in the early stages of the season.

Isaiah Livers made sure it didn’t end up that way as he boasted the Wolverines with 22 points in the unwanted overtime triumph. This near collapse opened Michigan’s eyes to play like they are capable of from that moment on.

The maize and blue haven’t been seriously tested since then. They rolled past Ball State as the calendar turned towards December. Following that was a first-time showdown with Central Florida who came off of an impressive victory over 2019 Final four participant Auburn to begin their campaign. U-M they finished off Toledo in a last minute replacement for N.C. State.

What’s worked for Michigan basketball

The standout of the first five wins has got to be freshman Hunter Dickinson.

He’s still coming off the bench which surprises most, at least until Austin Davis got hurt, but doesn’t seem to phase him once he enters the contest.

Dickinson has averaged a scorching 15 a game, but his impact cannot be measured by stats. His lift off the pine has clearly made the entire team play better as a whole. The prized recruit is seriously making the college basketball world take notice of his presence.

Transfer Chaundee Brown has also been another shining light when he enters onto the floor. He’s led the team in scoring twice, while doing it in less minutes then the starters.

Perhaps his most imperative aspect though comes as a defender. He scraps and fights with the opposition to the best of his abilities.

Other newbies who have showed flashes of brilliance for Michigan basketball are freshman Terrance Williams and Columbia transfer Mike Smith.

Williams has been praised for his scrappy play, while Smith is fitting in relatively seamlessly as the primary point guard taking over for the highly decorated Zavier Simpson.

Now the docket gets ratcheted up with the best conference in college on the upcoming schedule. Michigan starts with Penn State at home, then gets a long 12 day spell until Christmas day in Lincoln, Nebraska.

A New Year’s eve trip to Maryland will certainly not be a cake walk as the meat of the lineup then rears up in mid January all the way until March approaches.