The Michigan Insider

Latest Episodes:

Michigan basketball's triumphant return, B1G title aspirations Feb 15, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss the No. 3 Michigan men's basketball team's return to game action, which included a massive comeback win at Wisconsin in the Wolverines' first game in 23 days.

We begin by looking at the micro-level of the game itself. He hone in on Isaiah Livers' senior surge, Hunter Dickinson's rebounding dominance, Michigan's stingy defense and how the Wolverines were able to come back. We outline what impressed us the most, along with takeaways on how good Michigan's defense is and the coaching job Juwan Howard has done.

Then, we look ahead. We discuss Michigan's comfort level at the top of the Big Ten standings with Illinois and Ohio State surging, we look at the Wolverines' situation as it pertains to rescheduling games and what, if anything, Michigan can do to emerge alongside Baylor and Gonzaga as national title favorites.

The pause is over! Terrance Williams details return - Michigan Basketball Insider Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss three messages Juwan Howard gave his team during the pause and Ohio State's rise in the Big Ten ranks during that period. Freshman forward Terrance Williams joins the podcast to reflect upon how the team handled the pause, his personal routine during that period, practices coming off the pause, and a look ahead to upcoming opponents. Tim and Sam close things out with a breakdown of Sunday's matchup with Wisconsin.

Michigan's Tennessee Invasion; Portal Strategy Explained - Michigan Recruiting Insider Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz break down the commitments of Tennessee prospects Kody Jones and Taylor Groves, and discuss Michigan's growing presence in the Volunteer State. The Wolverines pursuit of the nation's no. 1 defensive tackle Walter Nolen is highlighted. Nolen's coach Marlon Walls shares insight on the talented youngster's game and potential. The crew also covers Michigan's renewed pursuit of four-star Alabama DE Justice Finkley and the NFL all-pro that new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald compared him to. The crew then gives an overview of defensive line recruiting before turning their attention to corner recruiting with a focus on four-star New Jersey DB Jaeden Gould. The podcast finishes with a lengthy discussion of Michigan's portal strategy and highlighting the Wolverines' rising interest in Birmingham (Mich.) Groves WR/ ATH Jaden Mangham.

Michigan's revised schedule, new defense and other football questions Feb 06, 2021

Show notes

We take a look at Michigan's revised and (tentatively) finalized 2021 football schedule, then field a number of questions from listeners about the Wolverines' football team.

We open with a look at Michigan's schedule. We parse through the changes, look at the Wolverines' schedule as a whole and discuss our thoughts on Michigan's slate.

Next, we quickly refresh out conversation on Michigan's needed coaching changes, then tackle two questions heavily related to Michigan's new look defense. We discuss how a shift to a 3-4 defense would impact Michigan's defensive line and linebacker rooms and which players may benefit the most. We then look at transfer portal targets the Wolverines may look into, along with the needs Michigan may be prudent to address.

Then, we open things up to two other questions. We look at JJ McCarthy's potential to contend for the starting job in the spring and fall, while Steve handles a question about defensive back recruiting in the 2022 class.

2021 Recruiting Closes Strong; 2022 Likely to be Stronger - Michigan Recruiting Insider Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz explain why Shaun Nua's retention was the key to Michigan closing the 2021 recruiting with commitments from defensive tackles Rayshaun Benny, Ikechukwu Iwunnah, and George Rooks. Then the crew looks ahead to 2022 in-state recruiting, focusing on Will Johnson, Tayshawn Trent, Josh Burnham, and Myles Rowser, Then the crew details Michigan's rise with out-of-state recruits Micah Pollard, Myles Pollard, and Kiyaunta Goodwin. Next on the agenda was highlighting Michigan's involvement with "unicorn" recruits Gavin Sawchuk, Keon Sabb, and Walter Nolan. The podcast closes with the crew answering recruiting questions from live stream viewers.

The Great Dick Vitale, Plus Eric Bossi's Mega Recruiting Update - Michigan Basketball Insider Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss Michigan's expected return from its in athletic activities, then are joined by the great Dick Vitale for an in-depth interview covering his storied career in coaching and broadcasting. Vitale reflects upon the greatest players he has seen, the great Michigan players he has seen, discusses how this year's Wolverines stack up with the nation's best teams, and more. Then Sam has a recruiting chat with 247Sports national recruiting analyst Eric Bossi about commitments Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate, targets Jett Howard, Jarace Walker, Charles Bediako, Efton Reid, Dug McDaniel, Mark Mitchell, and Aidan Shaw.

Saddi Washington - The Nation's No. 1 Recruiter - Michigan Basketball Insider Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss Michigan's pause in athletic activities and the advantages and disadvantages of the downtime. The duo then breaks down Michigan's victory over Purdue, the tremendous defensive showing in that game, the significance of Franz Wagner's visible frustration that night, and how the Big 10 stacks up at this point. The podcast finishes with a lengthy chat with Michigan assistant Saddi Washington about the growth of the team defensively, Hunter Dickinson's maturation, the nation's no. 1 recruiting class and the role he played in building it, and more.

Michigan finalizes its new-look coaching staff Jan 27, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we look at two final coaching changes and the on-field impact they could have for the Wolverines in 2021.

First, we look at new wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy's hiring beyond simply the obvious recruiting perks. We discuss his qualifications, why heading a high-school football team is an interesting task and perspective to bring to Michigan's staff and what about Bellamy should make him a hit with the current players and coaches. We also opine on how his arrival impacts other coaches' roles on staff.

Then, we look at arguably Michigan's most controversial decisions of all the coaching changes, discussing the Wolverines' decision to move on from Ed Warinner and move Sherrone Moore to offensive line coach. We look back on Warinner's tenure and what we think Moore can add to what will be a modestly experienced offensive line room.

Michigan basketball hits a two-week pause, now what? Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we look at the Michigan basketball team, which is sitting at 13-1 overall this season but is suddenly being asked to stop practicing and playing for two weeks as the Michigan Athletic department deals with an outbreak of a COVID-19 variant.

Among the topics we discuss include: Our initial reaction to the two-week pause, how adversely that can affect the Wolverines, what impressed us most about Michigan's win at Purdue, which players this pause hurts the most, where the Wolverines need to improve and how the pause impacts that, a potential silver lining a two-week pause could potentially cause, where the Wolverines stand in bracket projections and what it means and plenty more.

Bellamy & Moore Complete Recruiting Makeover- Michigan Recruiting Insider Jan 25, 2021

Show notes

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz explain why new roles for Ron Bellamy and Sherrone Moore will give Jim Harbaugh arguably the strongest recruiting staff of his tenure. The crew breaks down the immediate recruiting impact for both coaches, including how five-star CB Will Johnson is affected. Later the trio discusses in-state targets poised to rise up the board, a new defensive line target, and the latest on transfer portal target Henry To'o To'o.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected