Michigan Basketball: 3 things we learned in win over Minnesota

Winning a different way

Another thing that stood out to me about this win was that Michigan basketball didn’t have to make a bunch of 3-pointers in order to make it happen.

In fact, as they have most of the season, the Wolverines won with their domination in the paint. Dickinson has obviously played a big role in that but he’s not alone.

In fact, all nine players that average 10 minutes a game (Terrance Williams is at 9.6 so we are rounding up) are shooting at least 50 percent on 2-point attempts.

As a team in Big Ten play, the Wolverines are shooting 61 percent on 2’s, which is first in the conference and allowing opponents to make just 38 percent of 2-point shots, which is also first in the conference.

U-M also leads the Big Ten in blocks, overall field-goal percentage and on a sour note — turnovers. Michigan’s formula used to be taking care of the ball, shooting a high percentage on 3-pointers and not committing fouls.

Now, it’s simply about overpowering people in the paint with size, length and athleticism. The wing combination of Wagner, Livers and Brown packs quite a punch. Mike Smith and Brooks compliment each other perfectly in the backcourt and Dickinson is just a force to be reckoned with.

The Wolverines are also a good shooting team too. Five different guys average at least one 3-point field goal per game and six different players — essentially everyone but Austin Davis, Dickinson and Terrance Williams — shoots at least 35 percent on 3-pointers too.

So it’s hard to find a weakness right now and unlike in year’s past, this team can win games in a lot of different ways as Howard is transforming this program into a powerhouse.