Michigan Football: 3 predictions for Wolverines and UCLA in Elite 8

What happens with Hunter Dickinson?

The primary question opposing teams always have to ask themselves against Michigan, is how are we going to defend Hunter Dickinson?

Florida State sold out to keep the ball away from Dickinson and he still scored 14 points, plus that aggressiveness opened lanes for other things like basket cuts.

UCLA has 6-foot-9 Cody Riley, who is a pretty solid post defender and the Bruins are going to allow Dickinson to catch the ball easier. Then it’s a matter of doubling down on him or trying to keep him far enough away from the bucket to have to shoot a little shot.

Dickinson is at his best when he can get to his spot down low, overpower his man and basically shoot a shot at the rim. The farther away he gets, the less effective he seems to be.

Kofi Cockburn forced Dickinson to shoot over him and he wasn’t able to. Of course, Riley is 6-foot-9, so Dickinson will have more success.

At the end of the day, this seems like a game where the doubles will come, but the strategy will be mixed. I see Dickinson having a big game though, at least a double-double.

He missed it by two rebounds on Sunday when I predicted he would get there, but tonight, in a big spot, I think he has his best game of the tournament, which doesn’t necessarily mean scoring a ton of points.