Michigan Tuesday:The Pippen Decision

The timing of this decision is a bit perplexing but if you look further into it, maybe not.   Justin Pippen reportedly suffered a concussion in practice and did not make the trip to Denver.   In Football, injured players don't travel, I'm not sure what Dusty's rule is on this but interesting either way.   If you do have a serious concussion, traveling and being part of an NCAA Tournament game would not be doctor recommended. 

Then maybe Justin looked at the roster next year.  Cason is clearly the next inline, Gayle, Donaldson, and Burnett are all expected back. Let's not forget Michigan is also bringing in 5-star Trey McKenny from Flint who is going to get minutes.   Not sure that leaves a ton of minutes for Pippen.  

I don't love the timing with Michigan in the Sweet 16 but the portal is starting to heat up and Dusty seems very involved with a hand full of players already.  I liked Pippen's upside, I thought he was a better then average defender for a freshman and could hit an open 3.  His offensive game needs work but that is the case with many Freshman.   

Either way, we wish him good luck at his new school. 

Sherrone gave a Spring Practice Press Conference and mentioned a few things of note:

• Rod Moore is not practicing yet but is expected to be ready for the season.  That talk he could be back for the OSU game last season was complete nonsense.

• Being early enrolled is really helping Underwood, he is there early and stays late.  Very hard worker. 

• Sherrone likes the taller WR's in Spring Practice 

• Justice Haynes is working hard and showing he is a leader on and off the field. 

• Keene can make all the the throws and has over 2000 snaps in college football.

• When it came to describing new OC Chip he used the word awesome a number of times 

• Still likes the Spring Game 

• Punter?  Hollenback is the starter.  In Breaking News: Marlin Klein TE can also Punt! (I should've lead with this story!)

If Michigan can get a defensive effort like it did against Alabama and find some offense from the QB position, I like our chances!  The running game should not miss a beat and could even be better then last year. 

• Frankie Collins is back in the portal again

• 700 NCAA Basketball players entered the portal yesterday. 

Michigan Monday: A Gayle Wind Blew Through Denver

Denver can get extreme weather, on a Friday you could be playing golf in 75 degree weather and then Saturday be covered in 3 feet of snow.  On Saturday afternoon, a Gayle Force Wind hit Denver and blew Texas A&M back to College Station.  Michigan was in one of its funks in the 2nd half, down 10 points and the Gayle Wind hit.  Roddy Gayle went for 26 points breaking his slump and winning a game for the Wolverines.   Michigan and Gayle found their mojo and won a game they were expected to lose.  Watching his family in the stands seemed poetic justice for the OSU transfer. 

No matter what happens on Friday at 9:40 against Auburn.  Dusty gets an A+ grade for this season.   Michigan had the worst team in the Big Ten last season and didn't even earn at CBB bid.   Coach Howard left nothing behind as the program nearly burned to the ground.  Dusty came in and rebuilt the roster, won the most Big Ten games for a coach new to the Big Ten, turned down his dream job at IU, won a Big Ten Tournament Championship, and now is in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Championship Tournament.   A freaking plus! 

• Michigan hosted the #1 player in the 2026 class this week in OT Jackson Cantwell.  Jackson and the #1 recruit in the 2025 went bowling together.   This is Jackson 2nd visit to Ann Arbor and Michigan remains a strong contender for his services.

• Michigan's Women's Basketball Team was knocked out of the tournament by ND on Sunday. 

• I could be wrong but I think 3 starters from Dusty's FAU Final 4 run are still alive in the NCAA Tournament.  

• Speaking of FAU, Charles Woodson and son visited FAU Football this weekend..   Sherrone, don't mess this one up and send the kid an offer.   

• Maryland finally won a buzzer beater.  

• When Michigan players get to the combine or Pro Day I'm sometimes shocked at how fast they are.  It was DJ Turner speed last year, this year its Makari Paige who ran a 4.45 at Michigan's Pro Day this weekend.  

• Breaking News: Justin Pippen has entered the Transfer Portal.  Strange timing with the team still playing and probably the reason he hasn't played in the NCAA.  He is with LeBron's agency Klutch Sports.   I also found it strange I don't recall ever seeing Scottie at any games. 

Michigan Friday: Ugly or Pretty a Win is a Win

Michigan Basketball is not going to win any basketball beauty pageants.  They fended off a pesky bunch from UC - San Diego in Denver last night.  At times it looked like Michigan was going to blow out the team from Sunny San Diego and then it looked like Michigan might give the game away. 

I'm sure this team works on free throws in practice, it just doesn't look like it.   I'm sure this team works on protecting the ball in practice, even though that doesn't translate to the games.   I wish this squad had another year together, so they could play to their skill sets, understand Dusty' system better, and work on the few things that they struggle with.  Either way, Michigan is moving on and has another game on Saturday at 5:45 against the Aggies of Texas A&M. 

Vlad led the team with 14, Tre got his customary 12, Wolf had a down game with 9, and it was nice to see Gale with a sore hammy score 11 points.   I think Gale''s slump has been a big reason for Michigan's inconsistent play.  In summer camp, Dusty thought Gale would be Michigan's best player this year and he has clearly struggled in Big Ten play. 

• It's hard to believe but Hunter Dickinson played his final college basketball game last night as Kansas lost to Coach Cal and Arkansas in the 1st round. 

• In somewhat of a surprise move, Michigan has offered FCS Campbell WR Sincere Brown, who had 61 catches over 1000 yards and 12 TD's last season.  He is also 6'5.  Yes, Please!   He is getting a lot of attention in the portal right now. 

• Matt Weiss is facing some serious computer hacking and identity theft federal charges.  Michigan did the right thing by separating from him quickly a few years ago.   If these charges are accurate, Matt is a deeply troubled person. 

• Michigan's social media showed a clip of Bryce Underwood throwing a few practice balls and I'm pretty sure the entire Michigan fan base all started dreaming at the same time of what is to come with the young talented QB. 

Michigan Thursday: Let The Madness Begin

Michigan's Basketball Team has had an interesting year.   I've been trying to think of a proper football analogy to explain how their games go.  It's like when a football team has a QB that throws 3 picks and 1 fumble and still finds a way to win the game.  That is Michigan Basketball 2025-2024 season.  They now get to continue or end that season with a game in Denver against UC-San Diego who has 30 wins on the season.  (thank you NCAA Committee, can you please leave your Jim Harbaugh hate out of the basketball program, it was just a hamburger and a guy that figured out hand signals! ).

Michigan's formula for winning games is pretty easy.  Is Vlad scoring in the low post and are they shooting 3's at a decent percentage?  If both things are rolling, Michigan is one of the better teams in the country.  If its not going, Michigan looks like a pick-up game at the Villages senior community in Northern Florida. 

Here's to Dusty finding that Magical March formula that bolstered FAU to the Final 4 and a point away from a National Championship game.

• Michigan Football social media sent out clips of the first spring practice.   The highlight was new IU transfer WR Donaven McCulley #13 making a contested catch.   Which made me very happy! 

• There was also some buzz that freshman WR Jamar Browder made a great catch as well. 

• Offensive lineman Lawrence Hattar and wide receiver Anthony Simpson are not listed on the spring roster. Both players are expected to arrive in the summer and were transfer portal additions.

• Do you have weird things that make you happy?  For some reason, I love Josh Gattis career updates.  I believe he was out of coaching last year after his last role as the OC of Maryland.  Josh is now expected to join Syracuse in some type of coaching role.