The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2020 THE WOLVERINE 49 2020-21 BASKETBALL PREVIEW knock down those open shots, those threes, which will definitely help ex- tend the defense," Barnes Arico said. "Once we're able to do that, I feel like that will put us in a better posi- tion to be able to go inside and out." Last year, Dilk averaged 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per outing, and this preseason, she was named to the watch list of the Nancy Lieberman Award, which is given to the nation's top Division I point guard. "Amy is an incredible passer. She has great court vision and body con- trol," Barnes Arico said. "She and Naz have a great combination with each other, and it's nice when you have experience back at that position. "She's a kid who can score the bas- ketball, can pass the basketball, can rebound the basketball — she can do a little bit of everything. "Her experience this season is defi- nitely going to help at that position. It's great to see her recognized with the preseason honors. She has meant so much for our program." Perhaps the most significant news U-M received this offseason, other than learning the season will be played, was that junior guard/ forward Leigha Brown, a Nebraska transfer and the Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year a season ago, is immedi- ately eligible to suit up for the Maize and Blue. Two Newcomers To Watch 1. Junior Guard/Forward Leigha Brown — It's well known just how talented and productive Brown is —she was the conference's Sixth Player of the Year last season for Nebraska. However, there were questions — that have since been answered — about how she would fit in with her new team in Ann Arbor. "Sometimes, I think your kids are nervous — you've got a high-level scorer transferring into our program," head coach Kim Barnes Arico said. "Is it going to change everyone else's role? How is she going to fit in and how is she going to mesh with our current team and a team of returners? "Leigha has been fabulous. She's a great basketball player. Before I knew her, I thought she was a great scorer, but I didn't realize she had the capability to affect the game in multiple ways. She has a great sense, a great feel for the game. She's great in the open court, and she knocks down shots. She's a long guard that can rebound and defend, and is a great, great passer." Brown led the Cornhuskers in scoring last season at 14.4 points per game, while also adding 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. 2. Freshman Forward Cameron Williams — The five-star recruit out of Chicago Whitney Young should see significant time as a freshman. While the Wolverines are strong in the front court, Williams can add depth while simultaneously learning behind U-M's solid starting duo of Brown and junior forward Naz Hillmon. "Cameron Williams has shown the ability to score the basketball incredibly well," Barnes Arico said. "She will be a presence in the paint." Williams certainly showed the ability to put up big numbers in high school, with her career bests being 32 points, 17 rebounds and nine blocks. Barnes Arico will also rely on Williams to be solid on the defensive end, she said, pointing to the newcomer's length as a reason why she can compete at a high level. A former player in the famed Chicago-area Mac Irvin Fire AAU program, Wil- liams comes from an impressively athletic family. Her father, Aaron, played college basketball at Xavier and played in the NBA from 1993-2008, while her mother, Heather, ran track at Illinois-Chicago. Williams' sister, Danyelle, currently plays volleyball at Northwestern. — Clayton Sayfie Junior point guard Amy Dilk averaged 11.6 points and 4.5 assists per game last season, and was named to the All-Big Ten second team. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY