The Michigan Insider

Latest Episodes:

Michigan basketball is on fire Feb 26, 2020

Show notes

In a basketball episode, we break down Michigan’s rapid rise, and where things stand for the Wolverines looking forward.

We begin by breaking down how different things look than a month prior, as we even re-read some of Juwan Howard’s quotes after Michigan’s four-game losing streak, and how they look paired with the Wolverines’ success today. We also discuss which elements Michigan has improved the most at, dissecting the Wolverines’ improved post defense, transition defense, overall defense, offensive cohesion and leadership.

We then break down how Michigan’s last eight games (especially the last five) can alter the outlook for the Wolverines’ season, as they host Wisconsin, travel to take on Ohio State, host Nebraska and visit Maryland to close the regular season. We take a peek at the Big Ten standings and potential seeding scenarios, then close with a bracketology breakdown, looking at potential seeding, and how the next four games and Big Ten Tournament can change that.

Episode 17 with Nik Stauskas Feb 26, 2020

Show notes

Tim McCormick interviews former Michigan basketball standout Nik Stauskas, and breaks down U-M's recent wins over Rutgers and Purdue with Sam Webb. Plus discussion of Colin Castleton’s strong showing versus the Scarlet Knights and previewing this week’s matchups versus Wisconsin and Ohio State.

Michigan's top-10 2021 recruiting targets Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

In this recruiting focused episode, we break down the stories behind Michigan’s top 10 targets of the 2021 football recruiting class.

We begin by looking at two three-star in-state prospects in East Lansing wide receiver Andrel Anthony and Detroit Country Day’s Caleb Tiernan. We explain why both of their frames make them intriguing prospects for the Wolverines, establish top competitors for both prospects and handicap Michigan’s standing in the two races.

We then break down outside linebacker Jamari Buddin, another in-state recruit Michigan will have to battle for. We look at Sherrone Moore’s recruiting impact in-state and in big matchups. We also begin to look at top-200 prospects, breaking down the surprisingly national recruiting race for Californian defensive tackle Victory Vaka, and the less surprisingly national recruiting race for Virginia wide receiver Malcom Johnson Jr.

Returning to the state of Michigan, we next break down offensive and defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny, who hails from a local power where Michigan has had difficulty recruiting in recent years. On the other side, we break down Clarkston native and fellow four-star lineman Rocco Spindler, and outline why Michigan is the strong favorite.

Our episode concludes with a look at three top-50 prospects. The uphill battle for Iowa tight end Thomas Fidone, in-state running back Donovan Edwards and Virginia running back TreVeyon Henderson. We discuss Michigan’s competitors for each player, and outline how the Wolverines can make an impression this spring and summer.

Episode 16 with father of 5-star F Greg Brown Feb 19, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb interviews the father of 5-star Michigan basketball target Greg Brown about his his recent visit to Michigan, his connection with Juwan Howard, the appealing presence of African Americans in positions of authority throughout Michigan's athletic department, decision criteria, and more. Plus Sam and Tim McCormick discuss Michigan's victories over Northwestern and Indiana, and the abrupt end to John Beilein's tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Is Michigan basketball back on track? Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

Taking a look at the Michigan basketball team, we break down the Wolverines’ win over Michigan State, and what it means moving forward.

First, we look at what some of the keys to Michigan’s win. We dissect improved defense from Franz Wagner, Eli Brooks and the entire team, how far the Wolverines’ bench has come, the positive impact on the stat sheet and beyond that Isaiah Livers’ return to the lineup can bring. We also look at some schematic changes, and the team’s energy in the surprising win.

We then break down what the Wolverines’ final eight games look like, and where Michigan still needs to improve to come out on top. Among the areas discussed include consistent shooting, more offensive production from Jon Teske, more reliable showings from the Wolverines’ sophomore class and furthering some recent trends. We then close by looking at Michigan’s bracketology breakdown, and other notes to watch in Michigan’s pursuit of the NCAA Tournament.

Reacting to Michigan State's new coaching hire Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Following the news that Colorado head coach Mel Tucker had accepted the job to take over Michigan State’s head-coaching vacancy, we dissect what the hire means for the Spartans and, indirectly, the Wolverines.

First, we look at how good of a hire Tucker is for Michigan State. We break down his background at Michigan State, Ohio State, at big-time programs such as Alabama, Georgia, LSU and in the NFL, and opine on what he brings to East Lansing after one season with the Buffaloes. We also look at the optics of the hire, including whether Tucker was in the wrong for initially saying no to the job, the timing and how the situation changed so quickly for the Spartans.

Next, we look at what kind of program Tucker is inheriting. We look at what kind of recruiting impact Tucker will have, how and how much that will impact Michigan, the importance of Tucker’s offensive coordinator hire and what the next two years can and should look like for the Spartans on the field.

Episode 15 with 5-star SG Josh Christopher Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb interviews 5-star Michigan basketball target Josh Christopher about his standout career at Lakewood (Calif.) Mayfair, his connection with Juwan Howard, the appealing attributes of his final five schools, his decision criteria, timeline, and more. Plus Sam and Tim McCormick discuss Michigan's loss to Ohio State, the evolving role for Brandon Johns, Isaiah Livers return, the win over Michigan State, and preview this week's match-ups with Northwestern and Indiana.

Mark Dantonio's retirement Feb 05, 2020

Show notes

Reacting to the retirement of Mark Dantonio, we break down how the veteran head coach got to this point, and what the keys to his downfall at Michigan State were.

We look at the Spartans’ missed opportunity after making the College Football Playoff and a third Big Ten title in five seasons. We break down whether or not Michigan and Penn State’s return to prominence played a role, and how the last four years might erase the legacy of the first two-thirds of his tenure with the Spartans.

We also look forward, discussing the state of the Michigan State gig given its location, division and current state. We break down potential candidates for his replacement, and look at what Michigan State looks like heading into the 2020 season from both a depth chart and a 2021 recruiting standpoint.

Lightning-round recap of Michigan's 2020 class Feb 05, 2020

Show notes

In a short, lightning-round format, Shaw and Lorenz break down the key things to know about the Michigan football team’s 2020 recruiting class.

We begin by discussing how uneventful not just the February National Signing Day was for Michigan, but really the entire recruiting cycle has been since July, with only two commitments since then. We also break down the Wolverines’ process in scouting and pursuing top targets, and how that has changed in recent years.

After that, we zero in on some of the key recruiting battles and top targets that landed in Michigan’s class. We break down the key players to watch from the class in the 2020 season, what to make of the geographic recruitment this cycle and offer a quick peek-ahead to the 2021 cycle.

Episode 14 with former Michigan great Phil Hubbard Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

Tim McCormick interviews former Michigan great Phil Hubbard about his standout career in Ann Arbor, his time as an Olympian, his transition to NBA in the eighties, his thoughts on this year's team, and more. Plus, Tim and host Sam Webb discuss Zavier Simpson's return from suspension, Brandon John's standout performances versus Nebraska and Rutgers, and preview the upcoming games versus Ohio State and Michigan State.

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