The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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44 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2022 J uwan Howard's fourth Michigan bas- ketball squad will need to replace four starters from last year's Sweet 16 team, one that had its ups and downs but ral- lied late for some postseason success. The Wolverines got an early start in pre- paring for the 2022-23 campaign when they embarked on a European trip in mid-August, one that was to take them to France and Greece for the opportu- nity to play exhibition games against at least a few outstanding teams. They also got a boost in the offseason when All-Big Ten center Hunter Dick- inson announced he would return for his junior season. The big man averaged 18.6 points and 8.6 rebounds last sea- son, and he's also provided another shot in the arm this year in taking control of the team. "He's stepped up and taken on more of that leadership role," head coach Juwan Howard said before the team embarked on its trip. "That's leadership as far as being vocal, and also leadership when it comes to how he goes about his work." That involves getting into the gym on a regular basis. Dickinson wants to add more to his arsenal, Howard said, and he's working on all aspects — his shot, his right hand and everything else. "That's what I've been so impressed with Hunter," Howard added. "First year as a freshman when he got his op- portunity, he came in and delivered off the bench and proved he could play with his back to the basket. He got into the starting lineup and just took off from there. He's gotten more comfortable and confident in himself, and always had a basketball mind. "The second year he came in wanting to stretch the floor out facing the bigs, showed that he could add outside shoot- ing for the team. He put in the work in and was one of our guys who scored in- side and outside … this year, he's stron- ger, leaner, quicker. He's added more lat- eral quickness, and explosive jumping. High motor. Those are the things you have to admire and respect." — Chris Balas TEAMMATES ARE FOLLOWING HUNTER DICKINSON'S LEAD Dickinson is also working on improv- ing his defense, and the other Wol- verines are locked in on that end, too. Michigan finished 74th nationally a year ago in KenPom.com's adjusted defen- sive efficiency rankings after finishing fourth a year earlier. Getting better on that end is one of Howard's top priorities this season. "That's going to be our goal, one of the big areas that we would love to im- prove on," Howard said. "I wasn't too MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Wolverines Enter 2022-23 With Four New Starters But The Same High Expectations 7-foot-1 center Hunter Dickinson returns for his junior year. The big man averaged 18.6 points and 8.6 rebounds last season, and he is locked in on improving his defensive prowess this season. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL