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Michigan is an edgy team, complete with attitude, confidence and a WWE-esque villain in star big man Hunter Dickinson.
The Wolverines didn’t have Dickinson during Sunday’s 74-65 win at No. 23 Ohio State — he missed due to a stomach ailment, per reports — but they certainly proved that they’re a gritty bunch who, when necessary, can perform well under pressure.
Think of it this way: If UM had lost to OSU, it wouldn’t be in contention for the national tournament, regardless of its finish in the Big Ten Tournament.
So yeah, the Wolverines dodged a major obstacle and kept everything humming along Sunday afternoon in Columbus. Of course, they’ll have to win the B1G tourney to solidify a spot in the national tournament.
And here’s a bonus: Coach Juwan Howard will return from a 5-game suspension, which was handed down after he smacked an opposing assistant coach vs. Wisconsin late in February.
Howard’s presence should light a fire beneath the Wolverines, who were coached by assistant Phil Martelli in Howard’s absence (3-2 record).
No. 8-seeded Michigan faces No. 9 Indiana on Thursday. With that said, let’s take a look at what to expect from Michigan, which was considered a legitimate contender to win the B1G, according to preseason analysis.
What’s working
Dickinson ran wild during UM’s 87-70 thrashing of Michigan State, scoring a career-high 33 points while basically taunting the lowly Spartans. That’s how he got the WWE designation from Martelli, who described the 7-foot-1, 255-pound sophomore as an ideal pro-wrestling heel.
Hey, if basketball doesn’t pan out for Dickinson, a career in pro wrestling might just be a logical alternative.
When at his best, Dickinson makes the Wolverines extremely dangerous. He’s scored 20 or more points 12 times this season, including a handful of 25-point-or-better outings. During Howard’s suspension, he had three double-doubles. If he grabbed one more board during the latest match-up with MSU, he would have had four double-doubles in that span.
Again, if Dickinson is in full-speed mode, UM will be a tough opponent during the conference tournament in Indianapolis.
What’s not (well, it hasn’t been consistent)
Past UM teams, such as those John Beilein-coached squads, could really shoot from distance. The days of raining 3s may be over, but UM still has shooters at its disposal; however, statistics don’t exactly reflect that for the Wolverines, who shot .341 from the arc as a team this past regular season. That’s not a horrible percentage, really, and the Wolverines have warmed up from long-distance during the past three games, going 7-of-12, 7-of-19 and 8-of-21, respectively.
If Eli Brooks gets hot (.389 on the year), opponents could be in for tough sledding. Caleb Houstan, UM’s second-best long-range shooter (percentage-wise/.366) could also cause trouble.
Remain tough
If anything, Michigan has proven that it’s a hard-nosed team. Sure, this season hasn’t been ideal — Howard being suspended, tough losses and inconsistency — but the conference postseason is a new … well … it’s a new season. The talent is there, and so is the desire. Michigan may have finished 8th in the Big Ten, but it’s certainly capable of hanging with the top-tier teams.
In the likely event that the Wolverines dispose of the Hoosiers, they’ll get a chance to dance with B1G-champion Illinois, the No. 1 seed in the tournament led by Kofi Cockburn, one of the top players in the country. One year ago, Illinois was a popular pick to win the national tournament — so a victory Thursday vs. Indiana could lead to something more gratifying vs. Illinois.
Imagine if UM dumps on the Illini … the once-bubbly Wolverines might be reconsidered when it comes to assembling the Field of 68.
Adam Biggers brings his expertise on the Michigan beat to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.