The Michigan Insider

Latest Episodes:

Assessing Michigan basketball as it returns to normalcy Jan 17, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Alejandro Zuniga take a look at the Michigan men's basketball team (7-7) as it slowly returns to full health.

We examine the Wolverines' loss to Illinois, and whether it moved the needle on our opinion of Michigan's season. We discuss Michigan's effort and energy level, why it was important, and what it means once the Wolverines get Hunter Dickinson and Brandon Johns Jr. We also take a loot at Michigan's shooting woes, and debate how much the Wolverines should tweak players' shots as opposed to pushing confidence.

We close with some moving-forward discussions. We ponder potential lineup changes, and the pros and cons of involving the bench more. Then we outline why the next five games will define the Wolverines' season, for better or worse.

Michigan hires Mike Elston, looking at Wolverines' NFL Draft departures, transfer portal needs Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

Zach Shaw and 247Sports/Michigan Insider newcomer Alejandro Zuniga break down the Michigan football team's offseason so far (minus the Jim Harbaugh uncertainty), looking at the Wolverines' hiring of Mike Elston, Michigan's NFL Draft departures and where Michigan might look the hardest in the NCAA Transfer Portal.

We begin with a look at Elston, who played for the Wolverines in the 1990s and has coached defensive lines at Notre Dame for more than a decade. We discuss why he is such a home-run hire for Michigan as a talent evaluator, recruiter, developer and overall assistant coach. We discuss his ties in the Midwest, experience coaching at a strong academic program, and why the fit makes sense for him as well.

We then take a look at Michigan's defensive line, and how dire things look after the departures of three 2021 starters up front. We look at who's next, how badly Michigan needs to look in the transfer portal and whom the Wolverines are looking to to step up.. We then do the same at defensive back, where Michigan has lost three reserve players to the transfer portal and three 2021 starters to the NFL Draft.

We close with a look at other positions Michigan might be inclined to look for a player in the transfer portal.

Lineup change could be key to season turnaround - Michigan Basketball Insider Jan 13, 2022

Show notes

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb reflect upon the trouble spots that were revealed for Michigan during the first two months of the college basketball season. Tim takes an in-depth look at the roster issues at the four and five, and explains why making Caleb Houstan the starting four-man could help the team moving forward. The duo then discusses DeVante Jones' tough start to the season and what the outlook for him is moving forward. The podcast closes with a look at where Michigan fits in the Big 10 power rankings and at the Wolverines' tournament odds.

Michigan Exit Interview: Umm .. will Jim Harbaugh even be the Wolverines' coach in 2022? Jan 07, 2022

Show notes

A new identity is in store and a new level of expectations are set for the Michigan Wolverines following their first College Football Playoff appearance. We already knew there would be a QB question — does 5-star J.J. McCarthy finally unseat Cade McNamara (this could get awkward) — but now there are even concerns that Jim Harbaugh could exit Ann Arbor and take an NFL job.

Host: Trey Scott

Guest: Steve Lorenz

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Michigan-Georgia CFP preview part 2: Will Michigan's defense stifle Georgia's offense Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

In part 2 of our two-part preview looking at Michigan's CFP matchup against Georgia, we break down how the Wolverines' defense can slow down Georgia's offense, along with our final game predictions for Friday night.

We look at some of the major keys for Michigan's defense. We discuss why Brock Bowers offers a unique challenge for the Wolverines, and will test to see how Michigan has improved in that area. We also look at the Wolverines' pass rush, Georgia's struggles passing the ball under pressure and if Michigan can provide "enough" pressure in the game. We also take shorter looks at Georgia's running backs, underrated receiving corps. and other key concern points.

We close with our prop bet predictions and final score predictions for the game.

Michigan-Georgia CFP preview part 1: How can the Wolverines' offense fare against Georgia's defense? Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

In the first of our two-part preview series looking at No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Georgia, we take a look at how the Wolverines are set to matchup up against Georgia's vaunted defense.

We begin by looking at the keys for Michigan's running game. We discuss Georgia's track record stopping the run this season, the Wolverines getting to the edge, finding "enough" yards up the middle and Michigan's track record against other top run defenses.

We then turn to perhaps the one weak point in Georgia's defense, in defending speedy slot receivers. We discuss how Michigan could pass to set up the run, and could benefit from some creative play-calling. We close with some additional keys we have and make our over-under predictions for the game.

Special LIVE Signing Day Broadcast; An Awesome Finish - Michigan Recruiting Insider Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

In a special live edition of the Michigan Recruiting Insider Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich recap Michigan’s strong finish to the early signing period. Two of the gets, Darrius Clemons an Keon Sabb joined the podcast to discuss their decisions. Colston Loveland and Deuce Spurlock also made appearances. The crew also dissected the flips of Amorion Walker, Derrick Moore, and Alex Orji. Will Johnson's importance as the class' highest rated player and the catalyst for its growth was also highlighted.

Michigan trending towards strong finish; Early signing period preview – Michigan Recruiting Insider Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich recap Michigan’s final visit weekend of 2021 with special focus on Top 247 targets Darrius Clemons and Derrick Moore and transfers DeaMonte Trayanum and Victor Oluwatimi. Attention then turns to the status of Deuce Spurlock’s commitment and the latest with top targets Amorion Walker, Deone Walker, and Keon Sabb. The podcast concludes with a discussion of where things stand with five-star OL target Josh Conerly Jr. and how the surprise commitment of former Top247 OL Zach Gentry impacts the recruiting outlook for the position down the stretch.

Offense finds rhythm & range; Braylon Edwards talks hoops & more - Michigan Basketball Insider Dec 11, 2021

Show notes

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss Michigan's sudden shooting improvement, led by the marksmanship from Caleb Houstan and Hunter Dickinson. McCormick then dissects ways to force the ball to Dickinson even when the jumpers aren't falling. The discussion later shifts to DeVante Jones' early struggles and whether he'll be able to live up to preseason expectations. The duo then debates the roles of freshmen Frankie Collins and Kobe Bufkin, and predicts how Terrence Williams, Brandon Johns Jr., Zeb Jackson will fit into the mix moving forward.

Hutchinson, Gattis and other Wolverines bring in awards Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz take a break from football breakdowns, and reflect on the award-winning seasons from Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Gattis and other members of the Michigan football team.

We open with a discussion on Hutchinson, and the many awards he will be racking up. We look back on his senior season, his decision to return for his senior year and why he's something of a rare bird in college football. We also look at his belonging in the Heisman Trophy finalists, and where this season ranks among the all-time seasons by a Michigan defensive player.

In the second half of the episode, we discuss Josh Gattis winning the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach, and the impact he has had on Michigan since his arrival in 2019. We look at his value, and debate whether any of his coworkers could have claimed to similar honors. We also discuss Jim Harbaugh's national coach of the year opportunities, and other players who could be up for awards.

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