Michigan Basketball: Early predictions for this season’s stat leaders
By Max S.
Rebounds: Hunter Dickinson
A season ago when I was predicting who would lead the team in rebounds, I wrote this:
"Michigan basketball has not had a player average eight or more rebounds per game in a very long time. (Not counting the eight games that Mitch McGary played in 2013-14). How long has it been? I’m not sure, I stopped looking when I got to the 2002-2003 season. Michigan has been blessed with some very good centers over the last decade. Mitch McGary, Moe Wagner, and Jon Teske all did nice jobs. But besides McGary, Michigan really hasn’t had an elite rebounding center. I think that changes with Hunter Dickinson."
I fell just short with this prediction. Hunter Dickinson finished last season averaging 7.4 rebounds per game. I may have just missed with that prediction a year ago, but I think that prediction hits this year. With a likely increase in minutes, and a more athletic/mobile Hunter Dickinson this year, we should see an increase in rebounds.
Prediction: 8.6 RPG
Blocks: Hunter Dickinson
I’m not going to get fooled by this prediction like I was a year ago. Dickinson was a way better rim protector and overall defender than anyone could have imagined a season ago. Now that we know that, I’d expect he will lead Michigan basketball in blocks.
Watch out for Moussa Diabate to challenge Dickinson in this stat though. Everyone has raved about his athleticism and length since he has arrived on campus and he should get plenty of minutes at both the four and the five.