The Michigan Insider

This week, we break down the Michigan basketball team’s loss to Texas Tech in the Sweet Sixteen, and what the Wolverines’ 30-7 season that delivered no banners means. In the discussion we talk about Michigan exceeding expectations early on in the season, how the season compares to the Wolverines’ top other teams under John Beilein and what to make of their final game. 

We also look ahead to Michigan’s early outlook for next season, and why the Wolverines could see little to no drop-off by the time fall rolls around.

Then, we turn our attention to looking at Michigan football, assessing the virtual depth chart that Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh provided. We discuss our surprises in the two-deep, players who might be making the biggest moves, key injuries and what it means that Harbaugh is so open about the depth chart.

We close the show with more thoughts on Michigan’s spring so far, then take listener questions to finish up.

For the second week in a row, our podcast is centered entirely on basketball. We open by reflecting on Michigan’s weekend in Des Moines, looking at Des Moines as a host city, how the Wolverines fared in blowout wins over Montana and Florida and what some our lasting impressions of the weekend were. Included are looks into Charles Matthews, Jon Teske, Zavier Simpson and Isaiah Livers’ progress.

Then, we turn the page to Michigan’s Sweet Sixteen trip to Anaheim, where the Wolverines will face the nation’s No. 1 defense in Texas Tech. We dissect how the Red Raiders’ defense is so good, what Michigan can do to get around it, other things Texas Tech brings to the table and what the biggest thing the Wolverines can do to help their chances is.

We also discuss what Michigan needs to accomplish as a team to get out of Anaheim unscathed and make it to the Final Four, while taking a look at the state of the Wolverines after the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

Finally, we look at the rest of the NCAA Tournament, previewing the Sweet Sixteen at large and other matchups we’re excited for.

This week’s podcast, live from Des Moines instead of in studio, is full of Michigan basketball talk. With Steve Lorenz unable to make it on the show, Zach Shaw runs things solo, opening with his thoughts on the Michigan basketball team’s runner-up finish in the Big Ten Tournament, its loss to Michigan State and how concerning it is to lose to the Spartans three times in four weeks.Then, Shaw opines on Michigan’s NCAA Tournament draw, beginning with the Wolverines’ first-round rematch with Montana. Shaw discusses how the Grizzlies are different than they were last season, and what each difference means for Michigan’s ability to avoid an upset loss.Following that discussion, he breaks down the potential rest of the field, which lacks big-name programs but does have a number of solid, experienced and defensive-oriented teams that it could face in every round. He makes his pick for which opponent would be the toughest matchup for Michigan, while also running through scenarios and how the bracket looks similar to last season.Then, Shaw turns things over to the Michigan locker room, where he was able to record interviews with Luke Yaklich, Jordan Poole, Charles Matthews and Zavier Simpson. The four discuss Michigan trying to bounce back from a championship loss, regaining confidence after another defeat and their thoughts on the matchup in addition to much more.

This week, we hit heavy on both basketball and football. We open discussing the Wolverines’ loss at Michigan State to lose out on the Big Ten title, and what some of our lasting impressions from the game were. Included our thoughts on the officiating, on Xavier Tillman, on how much Charles Matthews was missed, on how concerning Michigan’s second half was and more.

That discussion transitioned into a listener question that pondered what Michigan can realistically change to enhance its chances at a deep NCAA Tournament run. We break down how free-throw rate, assist rate, Jordan Poole and the return of Matthews could all play a role, among other things.

We also break down the 2019 Big Ten Tournament, identifying dark horse teams, trap games in the bracket and which two teams we think will be playing on Sunday.We close the podcast by continuing our series of looking at the key questions and storylines surrounding each Michigan football position group ahead of spring practices. This week, we break down the Wolverines’ wide receivers, tight ends and offensive linemen.

This week, the episode begins with a lengthy discussion about Michigan’s role in the NCAA Tournament. We look at the Wolverines’ resume, how their season finale in at Michigan State or in the Big Ten Tournament could change things, other teams Michigan fans should keep an eye on, offer an early preview of which other teams might be good or bad matchups for the Wolverines and offer other thoughts on bracketology.

Then, we break down Michigan’s matchup on the road at No. 9 Michigan State, a game that will decide the Big Ten regular-season champions, and consider the things the Wolverines can do differently in the matchup. From ball-screen defense to personnel to offensive tweaks, we outline some of the things Michigan likely considered during its longer layoff, and debate whether the Wolverines can pull off the upset victory.

Finally we close with part one of our three-part spring football positional preview, dissecting the key questions surrounding Michigan’s quarterbacks and running backs position.

This week’s episode actually discusses all three categories surrounding Michigan. We begin by discussing the Michigan basketball team’s 1-1 week, looking into what doomed the Wolverines in their loss to Michigan State, how significant it was, the latest with Jordan Poole and Charles Matthews and how much of the loss was the Wolverines playing poorly versus the Spartans playing well.

Then, we break down Michigan’s dominant home finale win over Nebraska, looking into the Wolverines’ push to play through the post, their defensive adjustments and how much can be read into a blowout of the reeling Cornhuskers. We also dissect the latest in Colin Castleton and David DeJulius, and what kind of role they can play for Michigan down the stretch.

Following that discussion, we next look at Michigan football two weeks out of spring practices starting. We first review our rankings earlier in the week of where each position group stands, dissecting why Michigan’s passing offense may be solid, why the defense has some questions to answer — especially up front — and what to make of Michigan’s inexperienced running backs corps. We also break down which Wolverines may be due for a big season, and which skill position player we think will get the most touches.

Finally, we close by looking at the Michigan perspective of the latest 2020 football recruiting rankings, including which rising targets the Wolverines are in on, other recruits to keep an eye on and more.

The podcast opens with around 40 minutes of discussion about the Michigan basketball team. We begin by breaking down the sixth-ranked Wolverines’ 75-69 upset loss at Penn State, and what went into some of Michigan’s woes both on offense and on defense. We also look at some of the officiating that occurred in the game, including Michigan coach John Beilein’s first ejection from a game in 40 years.

This week’s podcast, about half an hour longer than usual, includes over an hour of recruiting discussion, as Lorenz and Shaw break down virtually every angle of the Michigan football team’s 2019 recruiting class. The two discuss their impressions of the class overall, key recruiting wins in the class, trends in evaluating the cycle, which recruits will have instant impact, what can be read about the early enrollees, which players are sleeper prospects, who will have the biggest overall impact and which coaches stepped up most in the class.

The discussion begins with us breaking down the No. 5 Michigan basketball team’s upset loss at Wisconsin Saturday. We break down which shortcomings were also causes for concern, which ones could be cause for concern should trends continue and which ones were unique to the Wolverines’ trip to Wisconsin. Lorenz breaks down what makes the Badgers such a hard team to beat, while Shaw offers his thoughts from being on the scene in Madison. Both also offer other takeaways from the loss, and what they mean moving forward.

This week, we open our discussion with analysis on Michigan’s three assistant-coaching hires. We break down the Wolverines’ decisions to hire offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, unspecified defensive assistant Anthony Campanile and defensive line coach Shaun Nua. We discuss what there is to like about all three, as well as what questions have yet to be answered.