Dickinson shining for Michigan
Big Ten preview looks at weekend and beyond
Here’s a look at the upcoming week around the Big Ten Conference:
Game of the weekend
No. 16 Minnesota (10-3, 3-3) at No. 5 Iowa (9-2, 3-1). Sunday’s game is a rematch after the Golden Gophers won the first meeting between these teams 102-95 in overtime on Christmas night. Brandon Johnson made eight 3-pointers for Minnesota, which overcame 32 points and 17 rebounds from Iowa star Luka Garza. Defense is still the big question for Iowa, which plays at Maryland on Thursday night before hosting Minnesota. The Golden Gophers lost last week to Wisconsin but also beat Michigan State and Ohio State and moved up five spots in the AP poll. Minnesota was then routed 82-57 by Michigan on Wednesday night.
Looking ahead
The Big Ten’s other two top-10 teams are scheduled to play Tuesday night when No. 8 Wisconsin (9-2, 3-1) visits No. 10 Michigan (10-0, 5-0). The Wolverines are unbeaten and have won four straight games by double digits. They’ll also have extra time to prepare, since this weekend’s game at Penn State has been postponed. Wisconsin is also coming off a postponement against Penn State and faces Indiana on Thursday night. Not only is Michigan the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten, nobody else has fewer than two losses.
Player to watch
Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson has been one of the most impressive freshmen in the country so far. The 7-foot-1 center is averaging 18 points and 8.1 rebounds a game. He is also far and away the conference leader in shooting percentage at 73%. Dickinson’s terrific start should only heighten anticipation of his matchup with Garza — but that will have to wait. The Wolverines aren’t scheduled to face Iowa until March 4. Dickinson scored 28 points in the win over Minnesota, and opposing 7-footer Liam Robbins had
only five.
Inside the numbers
Iowa ranks No. 1 in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency but 97th in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to Kenpom.com. The latter mark is the second-worst in the Big Ten, ahead of only Nebraska.
Michigan is unbeaten despite at least one area of bad luck: Opponents are shooting a league-best 77% against the Wolverines on free throws.