The Bucket Problem

While we don’t normally cover hockey, we make an exception when Michigan players comprise four of the top five NHL Draft selections. Bailey Johnson (Columbus Dispatch, formerly of the Michigan Daily) joins the show to discuss the remarkable draft night, whether to expect all the draftees back in Ann Arbor, the team’s (ridiculous) upside, and much more. Follow Bailey on Twitter (@BaileyAJohnson_) and check out her recent article on what Kent Johnson will provide down the road for the Blue Jackets at dispatch.com/sports.

After the break, Alex Cook and Dan make their regular appearances to talk about Big Ten football media days: how much to read into what was (and wasn’t) said, our disappointment that Jim Harbaugh’s previous comments on Bo Schembechler went unaddressed, our reaction to Harbaugh saying Cade McNamara is the clear leader of the quarterback competition, and more. We end the show, as usual, with our vibes of the week.

Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.

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In this week’s episode, we focus on how we’re approaching the 2021 football season as fans. After reading the rather alarming results of a twitter poll on Michigan fans’ preseason excitement, we delve into the ways we’re looking to get enjoyment out of a hobby that—lest we forget—is supposed to be enjoyable. We are, collectively, more optimistic than the fanbase at large. (Yes, this may surprise some of you.)

Some of our reasons don’t relate specifically to the football team: a return to something hopefully approaching normalcy on football Saturdays is a significant driver of our anticipation. We name a number of on-field reasons, too! We also discuss why the athletes deserve our support even when the program and university do not. Finally, we each name the top three reasons we’re excited for the season—which Alex does in the midst of making plans to attend a game—then finish off with a clean sweep of good vibes.

Also: a long tangent on the former Ravens staffers now coaching at U-M. There’s even consensus praise for how Jim Harbaugh has committed to changing and improving the program since signing his extension. (There’s no praise for his comments on Bo Schembechler, however.)

Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.

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The Bucket Problem welcomes its very first guest this week. The first half of this week’s episode is an interview with Alex Kirshner (of Split Zone Duo, Moon Crew, The Sinful Seven, and more) about the recent developments in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rights. Alex covers what the new rules entail, which schools and athletes could benefit the most, what enforcement now looks like, where the NCAA goes from here, how these changes impact Michigan’s outlook, and much more. This is uncharted territory and it’s fascinating to speculate where it will go.

Co-hosts Alex Cook and Connor Southard then join the show to help answer listener mailbag questions on the keys to the football team starting the season well, the importance of recruiting the state of Ohio, and whether back-to-back grad transfers is reason for concern about Juwan Howard’s point guard development. We also discuss whether we believe U-M will take good advantage of the new NIL rules.

In our vibes of the week, hear what prompted this: “Donate $50 by the end of the day or else Jim will lose to Ohio State again!”

Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the second episode of The Bucket Problem, we discuss the news that Hunter Dickinson and De’Vante Jones have withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will suit up for Michigan. Is Juwan Howard’s squad the Big Ten favorite a national title contender? In short, yes.

After hoops talk, Dan and Connor draft 22-man teams using Michigan football’s roster. This exercise is meant to help preview the team—specifically, to get a handle on which position groups have depth. Here are some pull quotes:

“This really is getting bleak.”

“One of the tenets of this podcast is that we would love to be owned by Michigan football.”

“I can’t even try to sell that.”

“Oh gosh.”

“[deep exhale]”

“I just feel so inspired saying all of this.”

“For the 19th pick … yikes.”

“Oof.”

“There’s a lot going on here.”

“No, you can’t do that.”

“I was hoping you guys were counting.”

“I think I already lost this.”

“Gosh.”

“I mean it doesn’t really matter.”

“I feel like the best linebacker of your quarterback group is Cade.”

“Extant is a start.”

“It’s a problem and not in a good way.”

“I would say my secondary is a bucket in that it produces reliable scoring.”

“There are reasons for optimism amongst all this.”

Please keep listening, we really do find reasons for optimism.

Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the very first episode of The Bucket Problem, presented to you by Homefield Apparel. Your host, Ace Anbender, introduces thebucketproblem.com and his co-hosts: Alex Cook, Connor Southard, and Dan [REDACTED TO PROTECT FROM RCMB OPERATIVES]. We discuss the ethos of the site, outline what “bucket/problem theory” entails, encourage listeners to harass our only sponsor, and choose our vibes of the week. Topics/tangents include: out collective Michigan-ness, the football program’s recent dearth of buckets, Ben Simmons, a top-tier genre of highlight tape, and existential dread. Is the entire show derailed within two seconds? Tune in!

Use promo code BUCKETPROBLEM for 15% off your first order at homefieldapparel.com, your home for the best, softest, retro logo-est, dunking mascot-est, most fashionable licensed collegiate gear you can imagine. Yes, they have Michigan—and Slippery Rock.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices