Back to the Michigan Wolverines Newsfeed

Michigan overlooks D.J. Wilson's short shorts and hipster hair, just sees game

This is an opinion piece by MLive.com columnist David Mayo.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Michigan need not wonder where it would be without D.J. Wilson, for the answer is simple: Ann Arbor. His rim protection in the NCAA Tournament opener, and an effortless 19 points with approximately zero plays run for him, helped decide a one-point win over Oklahoma State which sent his team on to play Louisville today.

Wilson is Michigan's "garbage man," fellow big man Moritz Wagner said, commonly collecting points on back-cut dunks and offensive rebounds when not employing his 3-point touch.

He is the power forward who can double as center when needed, a determination made by virtue of defensive assignment -- offensively, Michigan rarely uses one -- and when Wagner spent most of the first-round win on the bench, Wilson at center was needed desperately.