The Michigan Insider

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How Juwan Howard, Michigan built a Big Ten championship team in 2021 Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we go bigger picture, looking at five key ways Juwan Howard and the Michigan basketball team were able to deliver a Big Ten championship in year two.

We begin by looking at what Howard inherited when he arrived. We discuss John Beilein’s success, but also the uncertainty that comes with a significant coaching change. We reflect on how Howard was able to earn the trust of Michigan’s now-senior players, and how he was able to establish buy-in and cohesion by incorporating his oft-discussed culture within the program.

We then take a brief look at some personnel decisions Howard made. We look at his decision to hit the transfer portal hard, and how Michigan came away as the nation’s biggest winners from the portal last season. We discuss the impacts of Mike Smith and Chaundee Brown Jr., and how that could make the team dangerous in the NCAA Tournament. We also look at the personal mentorship and hands-on coaching role Howard took with Hunter Dickinson, Austin Davis and Michigan’s big men.

We close by looking at the kind of coach Howard is, and how that was able to maximize what was an experienced and talented team this season.

Lessons from Illinois = Preparation for MSU - Michigan Basketball Insider Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb break down the 76-53 loss to Illinois and preview the back to back match-ups with Michigan State. Senior walk-on C.J. Baird joins the podcast to offer an inside look at how coaches and players are responding to the Illini defeat, the preparation for Michigan State, and the culture that Juwan Howard has built.

Will Johnson domino effect; Linguist, the ace recruiter - Michigan Recruiting Insider Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz break down the significance of Will Johnson's commitment and its potential impact on other top targets like Domani Jackson and Tay'shawn Trent. The crew this dissects recent rumblings about Josh Burnham trending to Notre Dame. Later the conversation turns towards new developments in quarterback and offensive line recruiting. The podcast closes with an interview with noted Tennessee trainer James Williams about his star pupil and recent Michigan commit, Kody Jones. Williams breaks down Jones' game, Michigan's increased presence in Tennessee, and the key to why Maurice Linguist is an ace recruiter.

Michigan basketball's best player, unsung hero, Big Ten title odds and seeding talk Feb 28, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we look at another impressive week for the No. 2 Michigan men’s basketball team, along with what’s next.

We begin by breaking down our biggest takeaways from the Wolverines’ wins over No. 9 Iowa and at Indiana in a span of three days. We look as Michigan’s low turnovers, big man defense, maturity in handling a two-day turnaround and more.

We then debate who is Michigan’s best player 19 games into the season, looking at three impressively deserving candidates. After that debate, we discuss who the Wolverines’ unsung hero of the season is.

We then close by looking at the big picture of things. We debate which banner is most important between a Big Ten regular-season title, Big Ten Tournament title and Final Four appearance, and assess Michigan’s chances at all three. We then close with a discussion of how important it is for the Wolverines to be a 1-seed, the No. 2 overall seed and more.

A chat with Bill Raftery; U-M makes case as nation's best team - Michigan Basketball Insider Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss Michigan's impressive victory over Ohio State, Hunter Dickinson's dominant effort versus the Buckeyes, and the impact play of Chaundee Brown and Mike Smith. Bill Raftery joins the podcast to shares his thoughts on Juwan Howard, how Michigan stacks up with Baylor and Gonzaga, his take on the all time greats, and more. The podcast closes with Tim and Sam also debating the quality of refereeing in the Ohio State game and previewing the Wolverines' matchup with Iowa.

Staff Changes = New Crystal Ball & New Connections - Michigan Recruiting Insider Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz break down how the latest coaching staff changes unfolded, then discuss the recruiting impact of Brian Jean-Mary's departure with a specific focus on Josh Burnham. Then attention turns to Ron Bellamy's move to safeties coach and its impact on Dillon Tatum and Michigan's chances with elite safety prospect Jacoby Mathews, Brice shares the latest on Michigan's chances with Top247 DE Joe Strickland. The podcast closes with each staff member sharing his take on which early enrollee will be helped the most by spring ball.

Tackling every angle of Michigan's win at No. 4 Ohio State Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

In a loaded basketball episode, we look at both the big-picture and small-picture significance of the No. 3 Michigan men’s basketball team’s win at No. 4 Ohio State.

We begin by breaking down what impressed us most about the game, along with which takeaway is most meaningful for Michigan moving forward. In the discussion, we mention what we saw from Chaundee Brown Jr., Michigan’s defense in the second half, the Wolverines’ point guard play and Michigan’s ability to win in multiple ways.

Then, we check in on just how good this Michigan team is, assessing Hunter Dickinson’s case as an All-Big Ten player, potentially being the Wolverines best freshman of the 21st century, Chaundee Brown Jr.’s status as the Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the Year and how this year’s Michigan team stacks up against the best that John Beilein produced.

Then, we go bigger picture. We discuss how a team could beat Michigan down the road, including 3-point shooting, in-your-face defenses and potential foul trouble. We then look at what Juwan Howard did best as a coach in the past 10 months for this season, looking at how he handled the point guard and center positions along with the culture he’s created. We then close by discussing how Sunday’s game changed our confidence that Michigan would win a Big Ten title.

Five storylines to watch as Michigan begins spring practices Feb 21, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we break down five major storylines we're watching ahead of Michigan beginning spring practices.

We begin at an obvious spot, breaking down the Wolverines' quarterback battle. We look at the impact of Joe Milton entering the transfer portal, J.J. McCarthy's potential as a true freshman QB candidate and what we want to see from the group in the spring.

We then turn to the rest of Michigan's offense, pinpointing position groups that return talent, but need to take the next step.

After that, we switch to the defensive side of the ball, assessing a number of changes we expect or are keeping an eye on.

We close the episode by looking at three position battles and three early enrollees that we are watching closely in spring ball.

Catching up with Cazzie Russell; Michigan's Most Impressive Showing - Michigan Basketball Insider Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss Michigan's victory over Wisconsin, Isaiah Livers elevating his game and playing like a first round draft pick, Hunter Dickinson dominance on the glass, and Michigan's upcoming matchups with Rutgers and Ohio State. Then Tim and Sam catch up with the great Cazzie Russell to reflect upon his Michigan and NBA careers.

Strong ties to top targets & LB recruiting break down - Michigan Recruiting Insider Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz break down Michigan's standing in the recruitment of West Bloomfield (Mich.) DB/ATH Dillon Tatum. The crew also highlights Michigan's ties to Portland (Ore.) Westview WR Darrius Clemons, Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep cornerback Benjamin Morrison. Later the discussion turns to 2023 & 2024 in-state recruiting, with a focus on quarterbacks Dante Moore and C.J. Carr. The podcast rounds out with a breakdown of 2023 linebacker recruiting and a sneak peak at upcoming coverage of 2022 Ocoee (Fla.) defensive lineman Jordan Phillips.

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