Diggins Could Earn More Playing Time

(Rudi Ayasse/uicflames.com)

After a difficult loss against Fort Wayne on Saturday afternoon, UIC head coach Steve McClain shared at the post game press conference that a certain player was due for more playing time. It’s a player who has only played 8.3 minutes per game thus far.

Michael Diggins, a 6-foot-8 freshman from Nevada, has earned the opportunity for more minutes due to the defensive prowess he’s displayed in limited playing time.

McClain explained why Diggins could be getting more minutes. “I think Mike’s gonna see more and more time on the court because he brings a defensive presence, he brings an offensive presence and he can guard multiple positions,” McClain said.

Senior Tai Odiase, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the Horizon League, has also been impressed with his teammate. “I love his energy off the bench,” Odiase shared. “He’s giving us a good spark whenever he’s in, he gives us deflections.”

Although he’s only played 34 minutes through four games, Diggins has shined on the defensive side. When UIC has deployed the 1-3-1 defense, Diggins has been at the top of the aggressive attack, hounding guards at the top of the perimeter. All four of UIC’s opponents have struggled immensely when McClain has called for the 1-3-1 defense, and Diggins is a big reason why.

Diggins has also done well in regular man-to-man defense, defending opposing power forwards and even switching out to guards and wings as a result of screens. Whoever he has been tasked with defending, Diggins has kept the offensive player in front of him. Diggins moves extremely well for a player of his height, his lateral quickness and fluidity has stood out.

What’s most impressive about Diggins so far is that he’s playing catch up. McClain shared that Diggins missed significant practice time. “The hardest part has been for Mike, was he missed a month of practice and so he’s just getting his conditioning back and he can’t play long periods of time,” McClain explained. “But he’s gonna continue to get more and more time.”

On the offensive side, Diggins is averaging 1.8 points per game. He’s shown comfort on the perimeter, making 1-3 3-pointers, and as a lob target thanks to his explosive leaping ability. Diggins was a standout volleyball player during his high school career.

Diggins plays within the offense and is passive, but with so many offensive options UIC has in its arsenal, a defensive-minded player like Diggins can certainly carve out a niche going forward.

With UIC set to take on Olivet Nazarene on Wednesday evening, look for Diggins to continue to gain confidence and progress towards being an elite defender for the Flames.