The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2020 THE WOLVERINE 33 2020-21 BASKETBALL PREVIEW ers playing there and potentially some at the four, although that might be needed less now. Michigan pos- sesses big men to fill the role, be- tween Johns and possibly Williams in a smaller, quicker lineup. Wag- ner could also play some at the four, given a particular matchup. The center spot isn't bereft of expe- rience or seven-foot size, even in the wake of Teske's departure. Howard granted Davis a fifth year, after the rugged 6-10 performer stepped up his game considerably in his fourth season as a Wolverine. The trainee there isn't exactly a wide-eyed rookie. Dickinson has known Iowa big man Luka Garza since the eighth grade, and has worked out with him on several oc- casions. If there's an introduction to Big Ten play that's any more instruc- tive, it's not readily observable. "Playing against Luka, getting used to the physicality of the Big Ten is something that was helpful for me," Dickinson said. "Coming to college, I had a sense of what it was like. I didn't have the full taste. I still had to adjust even more, but it was helpful working with those guys and getting a taste for Big Ten basketball." He likes the taste so far, given the freedom to throw his weight around more than he was able to as a prep standout. "I enjoy being physical," Dickin- son assured. "In high school, I really wasn't able to use my body as much, because refs would always give me offensive fouls or defensive fouls. In college, it's more accepted for you to throw your body around. I've got to get more used to that, because I haven't been able to previously." "The game isn't too fast for me. It's slowing down … seeing plays, seeing cutters, passing. It's stuff I'm getting a lot better at now in the col- lege game." Several new teammates have al- ready been treated to a fishing trip on Davis' boat, a new experience for some. The veteran big man welcomes Dickinson and all of the newcomers. "It's another great group of guys," Davis said. "I know I'm going to enjoy every single second of this year. I'm extremely thankful and extremely blessed to be able to be around these people every day and be in this environment. "We have a chance to be good. We're working tremendously hard, we're a very tight-knit team. All the pieces are there to have a very suc- cessful year." A starting lineup of Smith, Brooks, Wagner, Livers and Davis doesn't sound farfetched. That's the one Liv- ers tossed out when asked back in October. Of course, that came before Brown's waiver was approved by Howard Has Hard Data On Top Performers Juwan Howard won't be going on prep promise and backup-minute projections this season. His team features several players who have accomplished plenty on the college level already. Although the numbers didn't all come at U-M, the scholarship Wolverines below combined for 82.9 points (which would've ranked second nationally a year ago) and 30.5 rebounds per game last season. Player GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG Isaiah Livers 21 21 12.9 4.0 1.1 0.4 0.7 Franz Wagner 27 27 11.6 5.6 1.0 1.3 0.6 Eli Brooks 30 30 10.6 3.7 2.0 0.8 0.2 Brandon Johns 30 11 6.0 3.9 0.4 0.5 0.7 Austin Davis 24 0 4.9 2.6 0.1 0.2 0.2 Adrien Nunez 22 4 2.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Chaundee Brown* 23 15 12.1 6.5 1.4 0.5 0.1 Mike Smith^ 30 30 22.8 4.1 4.5 1.5 0 Totals 207 138 82.9 30.5 10.6 5.3 2.6 * At Wake Forest; ^ at Columbia — John Borton Senior guard Eli Brooks averaged 10.6 points per game last season, but that figure ranks just fifth among Wolverines who played college basketball in 2019-20. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL