The Michigan Insider

In the latest episode of Steady Droppin Dimes, Sam Webb and Daniel Horton preview Michigan's upcoming matchup with Arizona. Daniel predicts Michigan will win by double digits, pointing out their strong execution, physical play, and Yaxel Lendeborg's matchup advantage. He also notes that Arizona's offense can be predictable, which gives Michigan a chance to take advantage on defense. Daniel and Sam agree that Elliot Cadeau's defense will be key, and they see Trey McKenney as a potential difference-maker on offense. Horton believes Michigan's talent and execution could take them all the way to a national championship.

In the latest episode of The Michigan Basketball Insider, Sam Webb and Tim McCormick discuss Michigan's journey to the Final Four, highlighting the team's dominant victory over Tennessee, and looking ahead to Saturday night’s matchup with Arizona. Tim praises Yaxel Lendeborg’s development into a versatile, clutch player, comparing him to past greats, and labeling him “the best two-way player in Michigan basketball history.” The conversation then turns to the matchup with the Wildcats, where they emphasize the importance of Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr avoiding early fouls to remain effective inside. Tim predicts a Michigan win, citing the team's physical dominance, transition game, superior three-point shooting, and notes the roles of Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle as potential deciding factors in the outcome. The episode concludes with a look at the other side of the Final Four bracket and a discussion about the best matchup for Michigan.

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz check in on the Michigan football team after a handful of spring practices, assessing where the Wolverines stand in key areas such as position battles, breakout players and more.

They open with a look at the general first impressions — both in press conferences and behind the scenes — about spring practices under the Wolverines’ new coaching regime. They discuss the organization and experience being higher than in past years, as well as the blend of coaches and players. 

They next look at key position battles they’re watching closely this spring, on both offense and defense. They continue with a look at potential breakout players with the most to gain this spring.

They close with a look at special teams, strength and conditioning and other storylines they’re looking at entering the second half of spring practices. 

Following Michigan's decisive 95-62 victory over Tennessee to reach the Final Four, The Michigan Insider's Josh Newkirk and Samuel Webb broke down the Wolverines' dominant performance. They highlighted Michigan's strong defense, which limited the Volunteers to 24% shooting in the first half and fueled a 21-0 run. They also discussed Yaxel Lendeborg's impressive play, advocating for his recognition as the NCAA tournament's top player and countering Wally Sczerbiak's claim that Lendeborg is merely a good player on a great team. The conversation then turned to Elliot Cadeau's readiness to compete against elite point guards, as well as notable bench contributions from Trey McKenney and Rody Gayle. The episode continued with a preview of Michigan's Final Four matchup, considered by some to be the game of the year. It concluded with insights into the keys to victory and another conversation about Dusty May's coaching prowess and the importance of retaining him at Michigan.

In a special Sunday morning episode of Steady Droppin Dimes, Sam Webb and Daniel Horton preview Michigan's Elite Eight matchup against Tennessee. The conversation begins by recapping the Wolverines' Sweet 16 win over Alabama and their ability to adapt to different styles of play. They highlighted Michigan's second-half defensive dominance and Yaxel Lendeborg's continued assertiveness offensively. The discussion then turns to Tennessee, where the Vols' size and offensive rebounding prowess are profiled. Specific attention is given to the Vols' primary offensive weapons, point guard Ja'kobi Gillespie, and star freshman forward Nate Ament. Michigan's bench, led by Roddy Gayle Jr. and Trey McKenney, is cited as a key advantage in Daniel's prediction of a double-digit victory.

Michigan won its Sweet 16 matchup against Alabama 90-77 on Friday night, advancing to the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight. The Michigan Insider's Sam Webb, Josh Newkirk, and Alejandro Zuniga provided a live breakdown of the game from Chicago. They highlighted Yaxel Lendeborg's consistent offensive aggression and the Wolverines' dominant second-half defense, which held Alabama to just 28 points after the Crimson Tide had scored 49 in the first half. Key defensive adjustments, such as more physical play against ball screens and improved communication on switches, played a significant role in the turnaround. The bench contributions from Trey McKenney and Roddy Gayle were also profiled. The postgame discussion concluded with a look at potential improvements as the Wolverines prepare for their Elite Eight matchup against Tennessee. The postgame discussion concluded with a look at likely improvements heading into the Wolverines Elite Eight matchup with Tennessee.

Michigan secured a 95-72 victory over Saint Louis in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16. Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg led the team with 25 points, while Aday Mara made a substantial impact by recording 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four of the Wolverines' nine blocks. Elliot Cadeau contributed 12 points, eight assists, and only two turnovers. Michigan's transition offense proved decisive, as evidenced by 20 team assists, and the defense was particularly effective against Billikens' standout Robbie Avila, who was limited to nine points on 3-for-13 shooting. Sam Webb, Josh Newkirk, and Alejandro Zungia (reporting live from Buffalo), emphasized Michigan's cohesiveness and athleticism, highlighting key momentum plays such as Lendeborg's transition dunk in the second half and the reverse alley-oop from Lendeborg to Mara in the first half. Michigan will face either Alabama or Texas Tech in the Sweet 16, with both potential opponents possibly missing key players due to injury or suspension.

In the latest episode of The Michigan Basketball Insider, Sam Webb and Tim McCormick review Michigan's 101-80 NCAA Tournament victory over Howard and preview the Wolverines’ upcoming game against Saint Louis. They commend Morez Johnson and Aday Mara for their strong performances and discuss Dusty May’s effective in-game adjustments, such as implementing full-court pressure in the second half. The hosts also address Yaxel Lendeborg’s limited shot attempts and consider strategies to encourage greater offensive aggression. The episode concludes with an analysis of the Saint Louis Billikens, insights from Tim’s experience broadcasting their games, a discussion of tournament upsets, and a mention of Tim’s Go Blue Hoops podcast.

Sam Webb, Josh Newkirk, and Alejandro Zuniga analyze Michigan's 101-80 victory over Howard, highlighting standout performances by Morez Johnson Jr., who shot 8-for-8, and Aday Mara. They also commend Roddy Gayle for contributing 14 points off the bench. Michigan's offense, which scored 1.39 points per possession in the first half, improved in the second half, with a focus on interior scoring. The discussion addresses Yaxel Lendeborg's recent low usage, potential causes, his health, and strategies the coaching staff may use to encourage greater offensive aggression. They note Trey McKenney's developing midrange skills and conclude by emphasizing the importance of matching the opponent's intensity throughout the next tournament matchup.

In this episode, Zach Shaw and Alejandro Zuniga recap the Michigan men’s basketball team’s 2-1 showing in the Big Ten Tournament, and look ahead to the Wolverines’ draw in the NCAA Tournament.

They open by looking at what they learned about Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. They discuss the Wolverines’ offensive struggles, particularly since LJ Cason went down with a torn ACL, as well as Michigan’s ability to win two games with its defense in the tournament. They also look at what went wrong against Purdue in the championship game, and whether that is cause for concern in the NCAA Tournament.

In the second half of the episode, they look at the Wolverines’ NCAA Tournament draw. They discuss the Midwest Regional, the potential opening-weekend matchups in Buffalo, and whether or not they think Michigan will make the Final Four.