Great Lakes Divide

What a time to be alive. Ryan and Tom reflect upon the unprecedented, abrupt end to the 2019-20 NCAA Basketball season - as the Coronavirus pandemic forces the cancellation of the Big Ten Tournament and March Madness entirely. Tom relays observations from his trip to Indianapolis, and the surreal scene that unfolded in real time. Ryan puts the entire episode into historical perspective, comparing it to the world standing still after 9/11. Final thoughts on the season that was, and the seniors who will be moving on - including Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske for Michigan, as well as Kyle Ahrens, Conner George, and Cassius Winston for Michigan State. Societal, economic, and cultural impacts of these decisions send a ripple effect through the entire American ethos. What happens next? When will it all end? The guys discuss.

Ryan and Tom reflect upon the close of the 2019-20 regular season for both Michigan and Michigan State - with the Wolverines dropping their third of four games, 83-70 at Maryland, to finish 19-12 (10-10 B1G), and the Spartans (22-9, 14-6 B1G) riding a five-game winning streak after Sunday’s 80-69 Senior Day win over Ohio State to earn a three-way split of the 2020 B1G title with Maryland and Wisconsin. Tom diagnoses the power outage for Michigan in the front-court, while Ryan skewers Buckeyes head coach Chris Holtmann for complaining about MSU seniors kissing the floor at Breslin - as part of a 25-year tradition.

Ryan and Tom recap the penultimate games of the regular season for both Michigan State and Michigan - a stunning Spartans 79-71 comeback win from a 19-point deficit at Penn State, and an 82-58 senior night victory for the Wolverines over Nebraska in front of former head coach John Beilein at Crisler Center. Is Xavier Tillman the obvious Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year? Can MSU fans bring themselves to root for a Michigan victory at Maryland, if it means a shot at an outright conference title? And will the Coronavirus potentially have an impact on how the NCAA stages its upcoming tournament games?

Ryan and Tom analyze a big 78-66 revenge win for Michigan State on the road at Maryland, along with Michigan’s second straight loss - both overall and to Ohio State on the season - 77-63 to the Buckeyes in Columbus. What are the seed implications for where the Spartans and Wolverines stand? Ryan will have his next bracket projection out on Monday, which figures to have MSU as a #4 or #5 seed and Michigan at either a #6 or #7. Also, investigative reporter David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press joins Ryan to discuss the very latest in the Dr. Robert E. Anderson controversy at Michigan. And Cody Tucker makes his second visit on GLD, offering his Wyoming perspective on new Michigan State defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton.

As the two teams jostle for position in the Big Ten Tournament and with the NCAA selection committee, Ryan and Tom reflect upon two more big wins for Michigan (71-63 at Purdue) and Michigan State (78-70 vs. Iowa). Zavier Simpson finds a way to lead the Wolverines to a hard-earned victory at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, despite going 0-for-10 from the floor - while Cassius Winston finds his three-point groove for the Spartans, with able assistance from Rocket Watts against the Hawkeyes. Speaking of three-point grooves, nobody had it going better than Gabby Lutchka for Ryan’s high school alma mater Grass Lake. The sophomore poured in a MHSAA record 16 triples in a 58-point performance and win over Manchester.

Ryan and Tom break down two important road wins for Michigan (60-52 at Rutgers) and Michigan State (86-65 at Nebraska) respectively, highlighted by stingy second half defensive performances by both the Wolverines and Spartans. Scarlet Knights head coach Steve Pikiell comments on the impact of Zavier Simpson on both ends of the court, and Kyle Ahrens steps up to the mic and calls out his teammates at halftime in Lincoln. Also, Mel Tucker continues to assemble his assistant coaching staff - while still holding out for his choice at defensive coordinator. And a decades-long sex abuse scandal at Michigan suddenly, and finally, becomes public.

‘Time for change and turn the page,’ says Ryan as he implores Colorado fans, Michigan State fans, and the media at-large to let go of the past and let Mel Tucker move on to his job as head coach of the Spartan football program. The guys evaluate transitions and coaching departures of the past - from Bo Schembechler replacing Bump Elliott at Michigan in 1969, to Ryan’s first-hand account of Butch Jones awkwardly leaving Central Michigan for Cincinnati in 2009. MSU and U of M are going in opposite directions on the hardwood, Tom offers his observations on why that is the case. Also, it looks like things are coming to an abrupt and bitter end for John Beilein with the Cleveland Cavaliers. What’s next for the all-time great Wolverines coach?

Mel Tucker is introduced as the 25th head football coach in Michigan State history on Wednesday, Ryan and Tom give their full analysis of the hire and timeline that brought the former Colorado Buffaloes coach to East Lansing. Some stinging commentary from Mike Griffith, former host of ‘The Spartan Beat’ in Lansing, on possible pending NCAA sanctions for MSU. Full sound package of ‘a day in the life’ of Coach Tucker while he was in Boulder, plus highlights from the press conference itself. Also, recaps of Michigan State basketball’s critical 70-69 road win Tuesday at Illinois and Michigan’s 79-54 drubbing of Northwestern in Evanston Wednesday night.

The curious case, and continuing legend, of ‘Jeff Jackson’ had the last laugh - as Zavier Simpson’s alter-ego poured in 16 points and 8 assists, making 4-of-7 three-point shots, en route to a 77-68 home victory for Michigan over Michigan State at Crisler Center on Saturday. Tom was there, and we hear from Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard and forward Isaiah Livers - who made his return from lingering groin and hip injuries - as well as Spartans head coach Tom Izzo. Ryan breaks down what went wrong for Michigan State in another slow start on the road, and Tom sings the praises of Eli Brooks defending Cassius Winston. Where does the Big Ten race stand? What are the current tournament prospects for U of M and MSU? The guys attempt to answer those questions and more in this spirited episode.

After the sudden retirement announcement of Mark Dantonio, Ryan and Tom reflect upon the complex - and complicated - legacy of the head coach’s 13-year tenure at the helm for Michigan State. The timing of the decision seems unusual, what reasons might explain why Dantonio decided to walk away the day before National Signing Day on February 5? Tom Izzo goes after the bane of his existence, Twitter critics, and defends his players after a 75-70 home loss to a very strong Penn State team. Juwan Howard is at a loss for words after a controversial flagrant foul call against Zavier Simpson that helped seal a 61-58 Ohio State win over Michigan at Crisler Center on Tuesday night.