Should Dickinson and Diabate play together?
One of the early "complaints" about this years basketball team has been the seeming underutilization of Hunter Dickinson. Not enough touches for him was a common refrain on this forum and from TV commentators. That seems to have improved in the last couple of games and certainly the better shooting helps.
But it sees to me that part of the problem has been that Dickinson and Diabate don't seem to complement each other, at least not yet. Hunter has been much better in the last two games and interestingly games without Diabate.
Should Michigan take a clue from Purdue who never plays their two very capable big men at the same time?
December 10th, 2021 at 3:35 PM ^
Yes but Frankie Collins has to be their PG.
Can't play them two together and Jones, just like you can't play TW and Jones together against teams not named Nebraska.
December 10th, 2021 at 3:40 PM ^
Hunter being better the last two games has nothing to do with Diabate being out. Hitting ~50% from three the last two games has allowed Hunter to get the ball without all 5 defenders in the paint giving him a chance to do work.
To answer the question...yes play them together & also keep hitting 45+% of 3s
December 10th, 2021 at 3:43 PM ^
I see no reason why they shouldn't play together and since you didn't offer one, I'll stick with that.
December 10th, 2021 at 3:44 PM ^
It's the only way to get Diabate meaningful minutes.
December 10th, 2021 at 3:44 PM ^
Seems like Diabate’s slashing would complement HD’s passing.
December 10th, 2021 at 4:43 PM ^
i'm surprised there haven't been several alley oop passes from HD to diabate. seems to me when HD gets a post past and the D collapses, diabate should go to the rim for an easy dunk pass from HD. arizona showed this over and over again against us.
consistent high low offenses with them hasn't been developed yet either. i expect it will.
December 10th, 2021 at 4:02 PM ^
40 minutes in a game, and they are both going to play > 20 minutes each. So, yes.
December 10th, 2021 at 4:09 PM ^
Yes, Juwan Howard should model his entire coaching style after Matt Painter and any other coach who is currently having more success than him. One of those styles is bound to work.
December 10th, 2021 at 4:10 PM ^
Only when Diabate is not sick.
December 10th, 2021 at 4:11 PM ^
NO. Diabate does not need a bunch of primary touches, Hunter does so I think they blend just fine. The reason HD is playing better is because he is getting more looks closer to the basket and thus causing the defense to collapse.
Painter can't play both of his bigs at the same time because neither can effectively guard a stretch 4. Diabate does not have that problem at all.
December 10th, 2021 at 5:10 PM ^
it's quite possible
December 10th, 2021 at 5:26 PM ^
It seems like post entry passes have been a big part of this issue with hunter. They can't get him the ball cleanly
December 10th, 2021 at 5:40 PM ^
They should play together only if they play nice.
December 10th, 2021 at 7:58 PM ^
Yes, they should play together.
December 12th, 2021 at 11:19 AM ^
Does the Minnesota game give a bit of evidence that Hunter and Diabate should not play at the same time?
We keep hearing that spacing is an issue. Having Diabate on the floor with Hunter does not help spacing as both are inside players. For most of the second half of the MN game Michigan's offense was dump the ball inside to Hunter. Hunter would get double or triple teamed. DJ would go unguarded. Where does Diabate fit into this? If he is also not a credible outside to inside threat he is one less person to guard as well.
It's not working.