Wolverine Wednesday: Michigan Visits The Barn Tonight

Michigan's Basketball team has another road test tonight as they head to the Barn to take on the Golden Gophers.  This is another game the Wolverines should win but you never know what team will show up when you play on the road.

The game is tonight at 7:00 on ESPN.

Speaking of Michigan Basketball, how does that win over UNC look now?  Hopefully, Zion's knee injury isn't too bad.  Nike and their Paul George line might take a bit of a hit.

• Michigan's 2020 QB Commit JD Johnson jumped up 250 places on 24/7's composite and is now a 4 star.  Continue to watch his ranking rise over the summer and during next season.   

• Former Michigan 5 star WR Commit who signed with FSU George Campbell has transferred to Penn State.   The kid can fly, but there are questions about his hands.  

• Steve Fisher will be back at Crisler on Sunday to celebrate the NC team. 

Wolverine Wednesday: Michigan Lands a PFF All American Graduate Transfer DE

Michigan this season lost two DE's to the NFL in Gary and Winovich.   Next year, they hope to lose another in Central Michigan graduate transfer Mike Danna.   This also explains the Pesek-Hickson moving to Kansas situation on NSD.
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PFF was very high on Mo Hurst and they were right.  They're also very high on Danna:  He recorded 54 total QB pressures and 53 total tackles while missing only four attempts this year.  Dana ranks as the 69th player in all of college football to PFF.  

Last year Dana had 9.5 sacks, 15 TFL's, forced 4 fumbles, and even scored 2 TD's. 

Some may say that Dana isn't exactly playing against Big Ten teams every week and he did have his worst game last year against MSU.   That is fair, but Michigan needs depth at this position and having a guy with experience is certainly a plus.   If Michigan can get healthy with some other DE's already on the roster, this position won't be a concern going into Fall Camp.

Fun Fact:  Danna was a 2 star out of high school, where he played with Tru Wilson another guy that has outkicked his coverage as far as his ranking/non-ranking is considered.

• Jerry Kill got a new role and just took out PJ Fleck:  
  He coached with me, but after that, he changed a lot. I’ll just be honest with you guys. People that have known him before — When he got with [Greg] Schiano, his personality changed a lot. And I knew his first wife, and he just changed a bunch. And then once he became a head coach, I mean, I helped him get the job at Western Michigan, and I just think sometimes, ego gets carried away.
  And when he went into Minnesota and treated the people the way he treated my guys and telling ‘em he had to go in and completely change the culture, and it was a bad culture and bad people, you know, he made it sound like we didn’t know what we were doing, and I took it personal. You just don’t treat people that have been with you and helped you career and you don’t even talk to him, you know, once you get the job.

Michigan Tuesday: Spring Game Date and Time

Michigan Football last year decided not to do a Spring Game.  I'm pretty sure it was due to the weather but Harbaugh famously prefers to keep his opponents guessing.    I did watch the ND spring game and they looked terrible, so maybe looking bad on tape is a good thing?

This year Michigan will be rolling out, somewhat of a new offense that Josh Gattis likes to call:  Speed in Space.  Michigan will only have two weeks of Spring Practice prior to the scrimmage, so I'm guessing we will see only a few changes.

The scrimmage is on April 13th at 5:00 and there will also be Fan Fest on April 6th.   Jimmy enjoyed having an open practice during fall camp and it looks like he will be doing it again this Spring.

• Michigan will get to see former Saline and VA Tech QB Josh Jackson .  The son of former Michigan RB coach has transferred to Maryland.  

• Mel Kiper believes that the Raiders might take Gary.  They are trying to build the Michigan Defensive line with big Mo Hurst as well.   Take Chase in the 2nd round and hire Greg Mattison.   

Michigan Monday: Good Win and Some New Crystal Balls

Michigan Basketball had another solid win over Maryland at Crisler on Saturday.   I love this team's effort but I'm very concerned about the offense.  Michigan is struggling from 3 and with Teske now struggling, Michigan goes long stretches without scoring.  Iggy and Poole will need be find their 3 point shot if this team is going to do anything in the Big 10 and NCAA tournament.

Can anyone tell me why they don't run the pick and roll with Livers who can hit the 3 point shot vs. Teske who missed 7 of them before he hit his first one on Saturday?

Loved seeing DeJulius in the game for some spot duty.  This team really needs a spark off the bench and hopefully David can fill that role.   Michigan goes to Minnesota on Thursday and hosts MSU on Sunday.

• MSU lost Nick Ward yesterday to a broken hand.  The Spartans hope to have him back by tournament time.   We will see. 

• Michigan had a nice list of prospects in this weekend with two bigtime instate kids.   Michigan has some ground to make up with Justin Rodgers a 5 star OG from Oak Park.   Justin seemed to have enjoyed his visit and says Michigan is in the mix.   Crystal Balls started to come in for 4 star DE Braiden McGregor from Port Huron who also visited this weekend.  Michigan needs both of these guys. 

• Michigan also hosted 9 players from Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy where Biff Poggi is the head coach.