Michigan started March with a bang. Sophomore center Hunter Dickinson made sure of it.
A Monster Night from Dickinson. Light-out shooting. The rivalry turned into a rematch. The Wolverines achieved it all by beating Michigan State 87–70 and began the final week of the regular season with a crucial victory.
"(Assistant coach) Saddi (Washington) was telling us yesterday that you have to change your ego," Dickinson said. "For me, I'm trying to go out there and play with that feeling on my sleeve and be the best out there."
Dickinson brought that version to the Chrysler Center on Tuesday. He was furious. He was animated. He recorded a career-high 33 points. He completed a rebound shy of a double-double. He shot 13-for-19 from the floor. He made nine fouls.
Simply put, he did it all when he led the charge for Michigan (16-12, 10-8 Big Ten), who shot 58.2% (32-for-55) from the field and finished the final 27 minutes. led in double digits. ,
"He showed why he is an All-American and should be a first-team All-American this year," said sophomore forward Terence Williams II. "He's kicking it in and out. He's hitting back. He's leading the team. We just go after him and he gives us energy."
After putting together a dominant first half driven by Dickinson, Michigan never gave up. Dickinson kept running fast in the paint. Freshman forward Caleb Houston (16 points) took seven straight points in 58 seconds. The Wolverines' lead narrowed to 55–33 with 17:40 to play.