2020-21 ball state

Now that’s more like it. As an empty Big House mourned its canceled weekend next door, a lightly populated Crisler Center was business as usual, churning out a comfortable victory over a MAC opponent that had no answer for a forest of arms.

Just about everybody got a hand in, or at least the opportunity. Franz Wagner led Michigan out to an early seven-point lead, frustrating Ball State’s drive-obsessed offense and converting on the other end. Before the first commercial break the German sophomore had seven points on three field goal attempts, an assist, two forced turnovers, and had drawn four fouls from an officiating crew with some admittedly fruit-flavored whistles.

Austin Davis again started over Hunter Dickinson and was still on the floor after the first timeout, but picked up one of those light calls out of the break. Michigan’s star freshman, in turn, picked up right where he left off against Oakland, shutting off all routes to the basket on defense and living above theirs. On his first offensive possession Dickinson took an entry pass in the high post, drew three Cardinals, and shook all of them with a slick lefty move. As Ball State settled in for a night of dribble jumpers, Michigan jumped out to a 20-point lead.

[More and Box score after The Jump]

THE ESSENTIALS

THE US

Seth's graphic [click to embiggen]:

We've kept the lineup the same until there's an official change. Hunter Dickinson could take over as the starting center any game now; Chaundee Brown is also making a case for being in the opening five. Whether or not they start, those two will get a lot of minutes.

THE LINEUP CARD

Seth's graphic [click for big]:

Yes, that is former UConn guard Khalid El-Amin's son starting at the point. There are a couple significant injury absences: guard Jarron Coleman, who was the MAC Freshman of the Year last season, and grad transfer wing Reggie Jones both missed the opener and aren't expected back.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the preview.]