Michigan Basketball: Hunter Dickinson a big key to success in 2020-21

The Michigan basketball team could be a darkhorse in the Big Ten next year, but they will need freshman Hunter Dickinson to be a big part of it.

Juwan Howard has brought in the 12th ranked Michigan Basketball recruiting class for 2020, but none may be as important as Hunter Dickinson.

The 7’2″ center from Maryland is the big man the Wolverines needed to replace Jon Teske, who graduated this year. Dickinson is a big man who is very skilled around the rim and also a good rebounder.

The Wolverines return big man Austin Davis who decided to stay an extra year as a graduate player. Davis was a very good replacement for Teske and at times outplayed him, but he still has a ways to go to be the guy they can rely on down low.

That is where Dickinson comes into play. Davis could possibly start at the beginning of the year, but they need Dickinson for depth. No matter who gets the start they will both be important to the Wolverines success.

While Davis was a good backup last year, he is still lacking in some areas that will take him to the next level. He is prone to fouling and he is a little limited on the offensive end.

Michigan Basketball: Dickinson a key to Wolverines success

Dickinson has a lot of potential and has shown he is very skilled with the high/low game. That is key in the Wolverines offense as Howard runs his offense through the pick and roll. They need a big man to be able to finish at the rim and Dickinson has shown in high school he is capable of doing that.

They will both get a lot of playing time, but Dickinson is the key down low. Davis is a very viable option down low, but not one that looks capable of taking the Wolverines to the next level.

Michigan has a lot of depth in the backcourt and that is where they will get the majority of the scoring, but the key for them is going to be the production they get down low. Dickinson is that key and the better he plays, the better the Wolverines chance in the Big Ten will be.