Anonymous Big Ten coach breaks down Michigan basketball

The Athletic‘s Seth Davis, in in ongoing series on college basketball’s major conferences, spoke to three coaches from the Big Ten to break down top teams in the league, including Michigan. The coaches were granted anonymity so that their responses could be as candid as possible, and they revealed a unique perspective that the general public doesn’t typically get to see when it comes to their team or other squads across the country.

“Coaches are understandably reluctant to speak truthfully about opposing teams and players, so I granted them anonymity in order to get that inside looksie,” Davis wrote. “There are plenty of compliments to be paid to the teams on this list, so I prodded my sources to divulge the weaknesses and deficiencies that could trip up a team in the later rounds of the NCAA Tournament. So if these assessments seem a little harsh, that’s on me.”

When it came to Michigan, much of the discussion surrounded sophomore center Hunter Dickinson, who’s averaging 18.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this season, after winning the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award last season.

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Dickinson, of course, has taken 32.4 percent of Michigan’s field goal attempts while on the floor. Just about everything the Wolverines do on the offensive end revolves around the big man.

Finding consistent pieces around Dickinson has been a challenge, though, and that has played into opposing team’s game plans against Michigan. While he’s come on as of late, fifth-year senior guard Eli Brooks has struggled to bring offensive production on a night-in, night-out basis. Ditto fifth-year senior point guard DeVante’ Jones, a Coastal Carolina transfer, and freshman wing Caleb Houstan.

Some teams have done everything they can to (try to) slow down Dickinson and make others win the game for Michigan, bringing double teams and help defenders when he touches the ball in the post. The Wolverines have been sporadic on three-pointers, with seven Big Ten games of less than 30-percent shooting from long range but six with marks of 40-percent or better. It’s certainly a ‘pick-your-poison’ type of situation on whether or not to double team Dickinson.

“They have one of the most dominating presences in all of college basketball with Hunter Dickinson, but their younger players have been a little streaky,” an anonymous coach said. “If you can take Eli Brooks out on the perimeter and make those other guys make shots, that’s a way to beat them.”

Some opponents — like Michigan State — have let Dickinson go one-on-one in the post and make sure the Wolverines’ shooters don’t get open on the perimeter. It’s the opposite of the aforementioned strategy, but some have seen success with it.

“Dickinson is tough, but I’d still rather them makes twos than threes,” the coach explained.

The coach also discussed Houstan, who was a five-star recruit in the class of 2021 but hasn’t quite been the 2022 NBA Lottery pick many expected him to be heading into the season. Houstan is averaging 10.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, and shooting 40.5 percent overall and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc — solid numbers — but has also gone through cold shooting streaks. His defense has also struggled mightily at times, with the freshman grading out as a ‘below average’ defender on Synergy.

“Caleb Houstan has elite talent no doubt, but to play at this level at that age, it’s a huge adjustment,” the coach said. “I don’t care what your recruiting ranking is. The physicality and speed of the Big Ten catches up on those guys. If Houstan was a backup you’d love him, but as a starter he’s not ready.”

Jones nearly got passed up by freshman guard Frankie Collins earlier in the season, but he’s settled in as the top option at point guard for Michigan. He’s posting 9.2 points per game on the season and is averaging 5.4 assists per contest over the last nine outings.

“DeVante’ Jones is figuring things out,” the Big Ten opponent said.