The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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APRIL 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 39 ski mask, since he hoped to "steal" a win. During the game, he egged on the crowd, which had choice words for him each time he touched the ball. That part was nothing new. He got similar treat- ment at Michigan State, Maryland, Il- linois, Indiana and in other road venues. "People bring the podcast up and talk about it. It definitely gets me a lot more boos," Dickinson said on his show, stir- ring the pot. "You can say I suck at basketball — which is your opinion. You can say I'm overrated. One thing you can't deny, though, is I'm bit a needle-mover in this NCAA basketball league. I move the nee- dle with my words. That's for sure." The Alexandria, Va., native isn't afraid to say what he's thinking. He's confident, he's brash … and he's got a platform. Ev- eryone says they want politicians and sports figures to cut through the B.S., the coach-speak, and express themselves with candor … until they do it. The way Dickinson goes about it is re- freshing in a sense, but rubs some people — typically, those who already hold dis- dain for the Maize and Blue — the wrong way. Big Ten rivals already hate Michigan and can't stand the big man. So why try to appease them, Dickinson has said on multiple occasions. And if it doesn't affect his play on the court — it actually may motivate him to raise his game — what's the harm? "He makes it fun; he makes it interest- ing," Boesch said. "If I could be the in- real-time-editor for what he's saying at all times, would I let everything go? No. But the vast majority of it is harmless, it's sports, it's what sports fans and people are talking about. Why not let that seep in a little bit?" "I don't think any of this drastically af- fects his play one way or the other. He's a really, really good player, who is a leader on this team." Howard has said that Dickinson plays the villain role — one that associate head coach Phil Martelli likens to a WWE su- perstar — to take the pressure off his teammates. He can handle the heat, while some other youngsters can't (at least as much). "He's shown so much great leadership, he's shown that he's a true Michigan man, and you've seen how he's dialed into representing what this team is all about," an emotional, teary-eyed How- ard said. "He's supporting his coaches and players. "I am all in with Hunter. I support him, because I know where his heart is. He wants that attention. He wants the at- tention to be away from his teammates, his coaches — give it to him so he can be the bad guy. [The criticism he receives is] unfair, because Hunter is really a lovable person. I love coaching him, and I love being around him; I learn a lot from him. He's my family." He doesn't hide when things don't go his way, either, Boesch added. A team captain, Dickinson is there to speak with the radio crew and beat writers — win or lose — and doesn't publicly point any fin- gers. "He's the perfect example of someone you would love to have on your favorite team, and if you don't have him on your favorite team and he's facing your favorite team, you don't like the guy. You find a reason not to like him," Boesch said with a laugh. "And he gives you some opportuni- ties to do it, based on certain things that he says or does. But if he did it for your favorite team, you would embrace him and love him. "To me, those are the characters that make sports really fun to follow." He's certainly one Michigan fans hope to follow for at least another year. ❏ What's Next For Hunter Dickinson? Hunter Dickinson tested the NBA waters following his freshman campaign, partici- pating in the G League Elite Camp before deciding to return. He made a swifter deci- sion late last April, again choosing college basketball over the pros. After his big shot in the win over Wiscon- sin Feb. 26, he was asked if that could've been his final game at Crisler Center (NIT notwithstanding). "I wasn't expecting that one," Dickinson said with a nervous laugh. "I don't think so. I don't have the crystal eight ball, but if it was, it was a damn good way to end it, that's for sure." There's plenty to consider. Big men aren't even close to being as valued by the NBA as they once were. The 22-year-old could be ready to move on and take his shot, though. Thousands of players will enter the NCAA transfer portal this offseason, and many will be lured to this school or that school based on the type of NIL deals they could receive. Could he stun and go that route? Coming back is a great option, too. Dickinson has said he's doing well with NIL, loves being a student at U-M and that legacy is important to him. "I'm fascinated by it all. Let me put it this way — I would not be surprised with pretty much anything," Michigan radio play-by-play commentator Brian Boesch said. Michigan faces uncertainty with the possibility that freshman guard Jett Howard and sophomore guard Kobe Bufkin will enter their names into the NBA Draft and, perhaps, depart for the next level. Bringing back a centerpiece like Dickinson would be paramount. "If there's anyone who's a Michigan fan who doesn't want him to return, I think you're crazy," Boesch said. "This program will always benefit from somebody like Hunter Dickinson. I'm hopeful he returns. "I think his legacy will be a factor. Is it the factor? Is it a primary factor? I don't know. "But the way that this season ended, knowing Hunter, that will be part of his decision-making process. It's just a matter of what the other components of that decision look like. And I think you saw it after he an- swered questions after the loss to Vanderbilt. He played his tail off in the two games of the NIT. That wasn't necessarily something that he had to do, but when he has a chance to go out there and play the game, he wants to win. Michigan would be better for him trying to keep winning with Michigan next season." — Clayton Sayfie It remains to be seen whether Dickinson will stay at Michigan for his senior year or enter the NBA Draft process. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL