Michigan Basketball: 5 things we learned from Wolverines Elite 8 run

Mar 20, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard (middle right) breaks a huddle with his players and staff during the first half against the Texas Southern Tigers in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Bickel-USA TODAY Sports /

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Hunter Dickinson needs to get better

Don’t get me wrong, Hunter Dickinson was a revelation for the Wolverines this season. He had one of the best freshman seasons a Michigan basketball player has had in a long time.

Truly, outside of Trey Burke, I don’t know of any freshman who has made a bigger impact than Dickinson, really dating back to the days of the Fab Five.

Yet, just like Trey Burke, Dickinson needs to get better in Year Two.

Hopefully, he will decide to return to Ann Arbor next season. Players can test the waters and return without any harm and I’m sure Dickinson will do that. I also think he will play for Juwan at least one more season.

Right now, when Dickinson can get to his spot, he’s unstoppable. He’s just too strong with that left-hand finish. He’s great at positioning himself and Michigan was good finding him. The big man also passes well and re-positions himself.

But against UCLA, he had to shoot over his defender most of the time and while he did make some, he needs to get better at that contested shot. He’s also going to need to develop an ability to score on both sides of the block.

He was a Second-Team All-American this year, and next season he could be a First-Team All-American as well as Big Ten Player of the Year — just like Burke.

As long as he comes back.

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