The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1422614
44 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2021 2021-22 MEN'S BASKETBALL QUICK GUIDE The Names And Games To Know For The Upcoming Season BY ANTHONY BROOME WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT U-M HOOPS "Hunter Dickinson decided he was not ready for the NBA, so Big Ten defenders will have to deal with him again. Transfer DeVante' Jones was the best guard in the Sun Belt. With guard Eli Brooks and the nation's top recruiting class, the Wolverines will chase another No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed." — Athlon Sports' 2021-22 preview magazine on why Michigan will win the Big Ten "Because Franz Wagner, Isaiah Livers, Mike Smith and Chaundee Brown have moved on, it leaves Eli Brooks and Hunter Dickin- son to carry the biggest loads. Dickinson will battle with other Big Ten bigs for Player of the Year. If it's possible, I still think he might be a tad undervalued; I mostly enjoy him because, as he showed at Big Ten media day, he's not shying away from going after Illinois fans. Let's keep the ri- valry hot." — CBS Sports' Matt Norlander on how Dickinson can win conference Player of the Year honors "Caleb Houstan, a standout on Canada's 19U team dur- ing the FIBA World Cham- pionships in Latvia this summer, will be difficult to be kept out of the starting lineup from Day 1 — even with all of the quality play- ers already in place in Ann Arbor." — Frank Burlison in Lindy's preview magazine on why Houstan will have the big- gest impact of any freshman in the Big Ten BREAKOUT CANDIDATE Senior forward BRANDON JOHNS JR.: Most of Johns' opportunities have come without Isaiah Livers on the floor due to injury. Now, Livers is gradu- ated. Johns projects to start at the four for the Wolverines and grab his role by the horns. Johns averaged 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds during his five games in the starting lineup at the end of the season. Michigan is expecting that and more in 2021-22. 2021-22 BASKETBALL PREVIEW THREE TOUGHEST NON-CONFERENCE CHALLENGES PER KENPOM 1. vs. San Diego State, Dec. 4 The Aztecs are ranked 33rd on KenPom and are the heavy favorites to win the Mountain West for the third season in a row. Former Michigan assistant and SDSU head coach Brian Dutcher is 96-31 in four seasons on the job. 2. at North Carolina, Dec. 1 This year's ACC/Big Ten Challenge sends Michigan to Chapel Hill. KenPom has UNC, helmed by first-year head coach Hubert Davis, as the 40th-ranked team in the country. 3. vs. Seton Hall, Nov. 16 Michigan's first true test comes a little less than a week into the schedule. KenPom rates the Pirates as the nation's 50th-best team ahead of the new season. Honorable Mention: The Wolverines will play either Arizona (47th on KenPom) or Wichita State (62nd) in their second of two games in Las Vegas for the Roman Main Event on Nov. 21. Sophomore center Hunter Dickinson is one of the leading contenders this preseason for Big Ten Player of the Year and All-America honors. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL