When Michigan defeated Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon, Hunter Dickinson’s ability to hit the basketball was a big reason. Wisconsin Head Coach Greg Gard took notice.
Gard mentioned the Wolverines’ ability in the cup as a big difference in the second half, leading to the victory of the third team in the country. Perhaps if Dickinson was not so dominant, Wisconsin could have escaped his home gym with a win.
After the game, Gard praised Dickinson to heaven.
“He is one of the best post-players in the country,” Said Gard. “Even if he doesn’t score a ton today, the 15 rebounds, specifically the offensive ones, made a difference. He did it, he was a force all year. His development really skyrocketed when Davis got hurt and he got more minutes and more experience. Now they are there and can greet each other well. He’s a burden. He’s skilled. He has great footwork, great balance. He’s big and strong and has a nose for the ball. It plays as you want your posting players to play. “
Dickinson ended the game with 11 points, 15 rebounds and an assist in the 67-59 victory on Sunday. In 14 games, nine games, Dickinson averages 15.1 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game, pitches 68.8% from the ground and 1.4 blocks per game.
As a member of the 2020 Class, Dickinson was a four-star candidate according to the composite ranking of 247Sports. He was the No. 2 prospect in the state of Maryland, the No. 10 center in the class and the No. 43 prospect in the class.
It’s hard to come back from a very long break, but the Wolverines got rid of it and achieved a big victory on the road after 23 days off due to the COVID-19 protocols. Big Ten Network’s Andy Katz called Michigan “regained” his seed No. 1 given in the Top 16 of the ranking reveals.
Katz too, though Wisconsin, has basically peaked and may not reach elite status this season.
“One of the interesting things this season in the midst of the COVID breakdown situation is how the teams get out of it,” said Katz during the Penn State-Nebraska game break. “Michigan had just one experience here and was slow for a little bit. What you saw in that highlight, Hunter Dickinson did a phenomenal job of getting a position and getting the rebounds. Livers delivered, Wagner delivered late. This Michigan team deserved and won first place again. As for the Badgers, they just can’t go beyond that limit to become an elite team of the Big Ten this season. They have Iowa at home. They are just stuck in the middle. “
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