Michigan Basketball: 3 Predictions for Wolverines against Nebraska

Hunter Dickinson stays hot

For whatever reason, Hunter Dickinson didn’t necessarily look like Hunter Dickinson in the first few games for the Wolverines.

He got into foul trouble against North Carolina and was never really a factor. But against SDSU, he knocked down three 3-pointers on his way to an impressive double-double. His defense was active and he looked like a Big Ten Player of the Year candidate.

That’s the Hunter Dickinson Michigan basketball needs tonight and every night.

The Wolverines don’t have as much depth as they did a year ago, in terms of guys who could carry the scoring load. It wasn’t just Hunter. Caleb Houstan is starting to get more consistent and Juwan has found a nice way to get Hunter and Caleb involved in some actions together.

But the jump shot could be a game-changer. Defenses are working hard to take him away in the post and that includes on the roll after screens. So if he can pop out and hit the jump shot, defenses will have to counter that which will open up more in the paint.

Spacing has been an issue. Dickinson isn’t surrounded by shooters, as he was last season, but Juwan is finding ways to get him going and that has to continue. Hunter also needs to keep making that jump shot and being engaged on defense.

My guess is that he will be and that he’ll have at least 20 and 10.