Michigan basketball: Hunter Dickinson calls out Kentucky cancellation

On3 imageby:James Fletcher III08/31/21

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Michigan basketball star center Hunter Dickinson called out the Kentucky Wildcats on social media on Monday, calling out UK head coach John Calipari for a recent schedule change.

Michigan and Kentucky were originally scheduled to play on Dec. 4, but the game has been removed from the schedule.

Hunter Dickinson directed his jab at Kentucky forward Lance Ware, telling him to pass a message to his Hall of Fame-caliber coach. The two players got to know each other during high school when they faced off in AAU events and both placed Michigan among their finalists.

“Tell your man Cal stop ducking we want that smoke,” Dickinson posted on social media, quote-tweeting the Michigan schedule release.

Dickinson was a breakout star in 2020, averaging 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in 28 games. The 7-foot-1 big opted to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft and return to Michigan this season.

Kentucky backs out of 2021 game

Michigan basketball released its nonconference schedule Monday, and a planned game against Kentucky is nowhere to be found. The Wolverines stated in a press release that the Wildcats elected not to play “due to uncertainties with scheduling.”

Michigan and Kentucky are still scheduled to play in 2022 at the 02 Arena in London. Discussions are being had to reschedule home games for both teams.

The Wolverines will play San Diego State on Dec. 4 in place of the Wildcats.

Even without Kentucky, Michigan’s schedule is not devoid of tough opponents. Seton Hall and North Carolina both make appearances on the schedule. The Wolverines also face UNLV in the Roman Main Event in Las Vegas, then either Wichita State or Arizona.

2021 outlook

Michigan finished 23-5 and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament during coach Juwan Howard’s second season. He led the team to the Elite Eight, where it fell to UCLA.

The Wolverines lose a lot of production from this past season, including No. 8 overall pick in the NBA draft Franz Wagner. Isaiah Livers (13.1 points per game) is also gone.

Howard brings back eight players from last season’s roster, including Hunter Dickinson and Eli Brooks, key contributors for the team’s best season since 2018.

They added six freshmen to their team in 2021, including four members ranked in On3’s top 100 prospects. Power forward Caleb Houstan (No. 9) and center Moussa Diabate (No. 17) both rank inside the top 20.

The team also adds former Coastal Carolina guard DeVante’ Jones through the transfer portal.