Which player has had the best start for the Michigan Wolverines in the 2022-2023 NCAA basketball season?

The Michigan Wolverines have started this season 7-1. They have shown the country that they are a versatile and deep team that will only improve as their trio (Jett Howard, Kobe Bufkin, and Hunter Dickinson) gets more comfortable with each other.

Hunter Dickinson showed earlier this season that he will be the same Hunter Dickinson we are accustomed to seeing. He is averaging 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and two blocks on 60% shooting from the field. The Virginia native can be viewed as the Michigan Wolverines' most important player.

His dominance above the rim and around the basket is felt in all facets of his game. He is a composed and stocky big man, towering at 7'1" with a soft touch and really good footwork. If he can perform defensively at a high level, he can help this team compete for one seed in March.

Now Hunter's favorite P&R partner is also head coach Juwan Howard's son Jett, who came on earlier this season and has shown his ability to be an elite 3&D player. He is an underrated ball handler who has shown his elite decision-making when coming off a screen.

He is the prototypical 3&D player and has some underrated defensive ability that is not spoken about enough. The Miami native's defensive prowess has separated him from most freshmen early on this season.

It will only continue to show as the game slows down. Averaging 15 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, the stat sheet stuffer can help this team get back into top ten status by the end of the year, due to the versatility he possesses.

The lead man, Kobe Bufkin, carries a value that you will not continuously hear about, but his impact on the court is felt in every game. Positive or negative: Let’s start with the negative, the Grand Rapids native has shot 16% from three this season, and that will not cut it at all. Not on a team that is predicated on stretching defenses out and giving their big man more space in the lane. If he improves on his 3-point shooting, it may be seen as a domino effect for their team. Specifically, the guards that have struggled earlier this season.

Early on in the season, he is averaging nine points, three assists, and four rebounds in 30 minutes played. If he can find a way to average 13 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds, he can flip a lot of close games they will have this season. He also has some underrated athleticism that many wish he would display more on the defensive side of the ball. This would also fuel his teammates.

When will the Michigan Wolverines be the best version of themselves?

The Michigan Wolverines team have shown that they will be the best version of themselves in February. They've had close wins against Division II opponent Jackson State, an overtime win against the Ohio Bobcats, and a loss to the best competition they faced so far this season. The Sun Devils of Arizona State never trailed when they dominated the Michigan Wolverines in the Legends Classic.

Their last two games against lackluster opponents have been close. However, this might not be indicative of how their season will go. The Wolverines are a team with experience. As everyone gets healthy and more familiar with each other, there is no way they're not competing for the conference championship in March.

We are still early in the college basketball season, and as everyone is establishing their identity, the Wolverines are no different from any other team. It takes time for freshmen to get aclimated and for returning players to build chemistry. Don't sleep on the Michigan Wolverines. When they find their stride, they usually are hard to beat.