The Michigan Insider

Reacting to the Michigan basketball team’s sudden lack of an offseason, we break down five immediate questions that come to mind regarding the Wolverines.

First, we break down what has typically been the most pressing offseason question, discussing if Michigan will lose any prospects early to the NBA Draft. We make the case for Franz Wagner and Isaiah Livers to go pro, but also break down the reasons why returning for another season might make more sense.

Then, we dissect what to make of Michigan’s potential transfers, why certain players stand out as potential transfers more than others and why transferring is hardly an indictment on the Wolverines or the players.

Working a bit more quickly with our final three questions, we look at the impact Michigan’s heralded 2020 recruiting class will impact what is a rather connected core upon its arrival. We also look at stylistic changes Michigan’s coaching staff may look to change and just exactly where we would rank the Wolverines heading into the summer.

Recapping one of the most unorthodox sports weeks of our time, we break down our experience covering the Big Ten Tournament, our reaction to the swath of news and break down our thoughts.

Tim McCormick interviews Michigan assistant Saddi Washington about his four years in Ann Arbor, the development of Austin Davis and Jon Teske, and more. Plus Tim breaks down U-M'swin over Nebraska and loss to Maryland with Sam Webb. Plus discussion of a possible breakthrough in Jon Teske's postgame, Dave DeJulius' career-best performance, and previewing the Big 10 Tournament.

In a news-related episode, we spend the bulk of the episode discussing Wednesday's announcement confirming that redshirt junior center Austin Davis would return to Michigan for his fifth season — becoming the first Wolverine to do so since Jordan Morgan in 2013-14.

We break down the rationale behind the decision, how unlikely it seemed, how much Davis has improved, what he could bring in his fifth season and more. We also look at Michigan's scholarship situation, and how Davis' news might impact that.

Finally, we close with brief discussions on a few news items that came up this week, looking at Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske's senior night and their legacies and the recent staff changes involving Joe Bolden and Mike DeBord.

Tim McCormick interviews Michigan center Austin Davis, and breaks down U-M's recent losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State with Sam Webb. Plus discussion of Isaiah Livers' struggles, further assessment of Jon Teske's post game, and previewing this week’s matchups versus Nebraska and Maryland.

In a near polar-opposite of last week's podcast, we break down a rough week for the Michigan basketball team, looking at what went wrong against Ohio State and Wisconsin and what's next for the Wolverines.

Guided by listener questions, we first look at two potential starting lineup changes that involve getting Brandon Johns Jr. more minutes, and what the pros and cons of each of them are. We then look at the Wolverines' rapid decline in performance, and discuss just what went wrong and how it can change.

We take a brief look at how Michigan's NCAA Tournament prospects change, zero in on perimeter shooting and break down why this is such a critical week for the Wolverines in the scope of the season, even if the stakes in this week's games might not be as high.

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.

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.

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.

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.