The Michigan Insider

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Dickinson Dominates, a Different Role for Franz, & Catching up with Mike Smith - Michigan Basketball Insider Dec 20, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb and Tim McCormick break down Michigan's recent victory over Penn State, highlighting the clutch showing turned in by Hunter Dickinson. The discussion then turns to whether the expectations for Franz Wagner's role need to be adjusted. Later Tim and Sam have a lengthy chat with point guard Mike Smith about his adjustment to Michigan, the team improvement he sees on the horizon, and more. Tim the shares his Christmas All-B1G team as conference play gets underway.

Recapping Strong Close to 2021 Early Signing Period - Michigan Recruiting Insider Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

Jaydon Hood joins Sam Webb at the beginning of the show with a surprise late signing. Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz join the show later to discuss Michigan hanging onto Xavier Worthy and Ja'Den McBurrows. The crew also discusses the significance of landing Donovan Edwards and highlight the strong finish to class despite rampant speculation about the future of the coaching staff. The crew fields listener questions on late signing period targets with an emphasis on Rayshaun Benny. They also discuss potential portal targets, top 2022 targets, and more.

Catching up on football news and Michigan basketball Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we break down some of the latest going-ons with the Michigan football team, while also recap the Wolverines’ 6-0 start to the season.

After addressing the Michigan football team’s third consecutive cancellation due to COVID-19, we try to decipher some of the other things addressed by Jim Harbaugh in his first press conference in two weeks. We look at the legitimacy of his “commitment” to Michigan in the future, and why we’re more inclined to believe him than before. We also discuss why the Wolverines’ Signing Day doesn’t appear poised to be as disastrous as maybe it could have been, and why it’s Michigan’s job to own its decision one way or another. We then turn our attention to the off chance that Michigan plays in a bowl game, and the factors that would play a role in that decision.

Then, we shift our focus to the Michigan basketball team, looking at Hunter Dickinson’s dominant start, the Wolverines’ second-half woes against Penn State in their first non-conference game, the value of winning gritty, Eli Brooks, Michigan’s improved defense, players the Wolverines need to step up and other things Michigan can improve upon during a 12-day hiatus between games.

Jim Harbaugh, Warde Manuel and Michigan's mess Dec 10, 2020

Show notes

in this episode, we take a look at the latest with Jim Harbaugh, Warde Manuel, and the future of the Michigan football program.

We begin by looking at rather pressing report that Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel has offered head coach Jim Harbaugh a contract extension. We discuss what it says about the relationship between Harbaugh and Michigan, why it's arguably a smart move by Manuel and what we expect to happen from it.

Then, we look at Michigan's bizarre decision to tell the public that it won't discuss future negotiations until after the season — which is also three days after National Signing Day. We discuss how brutal that is for recruiting, why we don't believe that's the true nature of the situation behind closed doors and the messiness of Michigan needing to do a coaching search during the worst year to need to do a coaching search.

Michigan Basketball's Bench Boost and Catching up with 'The Judge' - Michigan Basketball Insider Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb and Tim McCormick break down Michigan's recent victory over UCF, highlighting the strong bench performances by Chaundee Brown and Hunter Dickinson, and the notable energy influx from Brandon Johns and Terrance Williams. Tim then focuses on the improvement he expects to see from Mike Smith. This week's interview guest is early-eighties Michigan standout Antoine 'The Judge' Joubert.

Decision Date Set for Donovan Edwards - Can Michigan Close? - Michigan Recruiting Insider Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb and Brice Marich highlight the Michigan commits that have affirmed their pledges to the Wolverines, then analyze the few that are the most vulnerable. Miami is making a strong push for Ja'Den McBurrows, while Alabama is steadily loosening Michigan's grip on explosive Top247 wideout Xavier Worthy. Sam then interviews West Bloomfield (Michi.) head coach Ron Bellamy about his star pupil Donovan Edwards' upcoming decision, the impact Michigan's subpar season and coaching rumors have had on its chances, the other prime contenders, and more.

How avoidable was Michigan's woeful 2020 season? Dec 06, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we look back on the Michigan football team’s 2-4 start to the season, what led to it and how preventable each factor was for the Wolverines.

We begin with another look at Michigan’s defense, one that is in line to be the worst in the Wolverines’ history. We discuss how the defense has become predictable, with teams who play Michigan annually having particular success against the Wolverines. We look at how things could have been different for Michigan.

Next, we take a look at the Wolverines’ preparation. We compare it to the first few seasons of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure, how it has changed and how badly it hurt Michigan this season when it fell behind and had to make adjustments mid-game.

We then assess the Wolverines’ attrition, as we concluded that Michigan lost 20 of 44 2019 two-deep players. We discuss how the Wolverines could have been more proactive about their losses, how big of a deal it is and more. We close by also looking at Michigan’s quarterback decision, potential overconfidence and a lack of self-reflection in the offseason.

Five things we learned from Michigan hoops' 3-0 start Dec 05, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we pivot to basketball to discuss five things we learned from the Michigan basketball team's 3-0 start to the season.

Taking a moment to reflect on what was a very short mid-major slate for the Wolverines, we break down some of our key takeaways so far. We look at how Hunter Dickinson was able to make such a large impact so early, and what's next for the 7-foot-1 freshman.

We then look at Michigan's transfer additions, Mike Smith and Chaundee Brown Jr,, and what they have brought and will bring to the Wolverines this year. We then pivot to Michigan's bench, and diagnose the group's ups and downs so far through three games.

We close by looking at Michigan's defense, and the Wolverines' other next steps to trying to climb up to the Big Ten's top tier of contenders.

Newcomers Shine Through Early Sloppiness; Howard & Livers Leave Heated Exchange Behind - Michigan Basketball Insider Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb and Tim McCormick break down Michigan's season opening victories over Bowling Green and Oakland, highlighting the strong performances of newcomers Mike Smith and Hunter Dickinson. The duo also dissects the areas of concern from the first two contests, including the slow start by Franz Wagner. The breakdown concludes with a discussion of the meaning behind the heated challenge Juwan Howard issued to Isaiah Livers. This week's interview guest is early-eighties Michigan standout Richard Rellford.

Michigan has to say if Harbaugh Will Continue as coach, plus reshuffling the DT board - Michigan Recruiting Insider Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb, Brice Marich, and Steve Lorenz have a candid discussion about how questions about Jim Harbaugh's future at Michigan are impacting recruiting, and why the brass in Ann Arbor must address the subject if retention is the plan. The crew then breaks down the remaining targets at defensive tackle and discuss new names that could rise to the fore down the stretch.

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