Michigan players Hunter Dickinson, Caleb Houstan earn Big Ten awards
Michigan hammered Indiana, 80-62, in a win that might be a season-changer. Sophomore center Hunter Dickinson is starting to become the force — and leader — many imagined. As importantly, the Wolverines have gotten a lift recently from freshman Caleb Houstan.
RELATED
• Fab Five: Takeaways from Michigan’s win over Indiana
• Game recap, box score from Michigan basketball’s victory at Indiana
Michigan plastered Maryland and Indiana to improve to 3-3 in conference play. Houstan earned Big Ten freshman of the week honors after averaging 17.5 points and 5.0 rebounds. He scored 16 against the Terps and 19 with six rebounds at IU in the best week of his young career.
Michigan has been looking for someone to step up as a shooter. Enter Houstan, whose 8-for-11 from beyond the arc was the spark U-M had been seeking. He went 5-for-7 against the Hoosiers alone.
“He’s always been rock-solid — every time, all the time,” head coach Juwan Howard said. “Coming in practice, getting his work in, watching film, learning the game and staying dialed in mentally. It’s beautiful for a young man that is wired that way.
“Special things are going to be happening for him in the game of basketball because of how his mindset is designed.”
Dickinson, meanwhile, is starting to show off his expanded game. He’s shooting with confidence from the outside, which opens up the offense. He averaged 23.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 points, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block per game in Michigan’s two wins last week.
The soph notched 21 points, six rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and a steal in an 83-64 home win over Maryland. He then followed up with 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists in the road win at IU.
Top 10
- 1Hot
Carson Beck
Latest on Georgia QB status for Sugar Bowl
- 2
Most valuable college programs
Ranking the athletic departments
- 3
Nick Saban
Questioning sustainability of NIL, unlimited transfers
- 4
Shane Gillis
Actor named CGD picker
- 5
Steve Sarkisian
Texas HC rips Vandy QB ruling
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
Dickinson went 19-of-26 from the field, including 4-of-6 from long range, in the victories. His play earned him Big Ten Player of the Week honors.
“His presence out there just makes his teammates better,” Howard said after the Maryland win. “He’s going to get doubled, but he’s been able to make plays for others when he gets doubled.
“He also is skilled enough, when he’s playing against his man one-on-one in the post, or whether he’s making shots on the perimeter. Whether it’s midrange or threes, he’s found ways to impact the game, not just with the ball going in the basket.”
Michigan improved to 9-7 with the win over the Hoosiers and hosts Northwestern Wednesday. The Wolverines then travel to Michigan State Saturday. They’ll have an opportunity to boost their NCAA Tournament resume and get back in the Big Ten title hunt against the Spartans.
U-M then hosts Nebraska before traveling to Purdue for another key road game.
