Wolverine Wednesday: More Commits Coming?

Sherrone has tweeted out 3 sets of 👀 with one public commitment.  That means two other players have committed and is waiting to make it public.  Yes, Please! 

Michigan has received two commits in the last week from RB Jonathan Brown and DL Titan Davis and both received the 👀 bat signal. 

• In other news, Sam Webb has put in a CB for top 100 WR Zion Robinson.  Yes, Please! 

• RIP former Michigan Golf Coach Jim Carras 

• Michigan Basketball will play Duke in DC in February next season.  Love that Dusty is not afraid of these games. 

• The Detroit PGA stop is in a really bad spot on the calendar and many of the top players have withdrew.  Come on Ricky this is set up for you again! 

• The NBA Draft it tonight and hoping for a great spot for Wolf and Vlad.  Round 2 is tomorrow night and where Vlad is expected to go. 

Wolverine Wednesday: Santa Is Coming To Town

Reports are that the University of Michigan will introduce its new President today at the Regents meeting.  Santa Ono, President of UBC is expected to become the 15th president of the University of Michigan.  

Per Mlive:

Santa Ono, president and vice chancellor of the University of British Columbia, is pending approval by the university’s Board of Regents during a 1 p.m. special meeting on Wednesday, a source close to the university confirmed to MLive/The Ann Arbor News.

Ono has led UBC, a public university whose main campus is in Vancouver, since 2016. Prior to that, he was president of the University of Cincinnati, as well as a professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He has also been a faculty member at multiple colleges including Harvard and Johns Hopkins.Ono is known for his support of college athletics, including him crowd surfing at Cincinnati football game, musing about College Football Playoff rankings and providing updates on Twitter for the Cincinnati basketball coach search.

Regents Sarah Hubbard and Denise Ilitch led the search committee for the president, which hired Boston-based executive search firm Isaacson Miller to assist.

This seems like a home run hire for a President to have led multiple Universities and a strong supporter of athletics.  No word yet, if there will be a meet and greet (with a photo) in the center court of the Briarwood Mall. 

• Saddi Washington's dad has past away.  RIP 

• Caleb Houstan signed a $8.2M deal with Orlando,with the first 2 years guaranteed.  Meaning he will make roughly $4M no matter what happens with his career. 

Michigan Friday: A Poole Full of Rings

Congratulations to Jordan Poole and the Golden State Warriors on their 2022 NBA Title.   Jordan had another good game, scoring 15 points.   He will be looking for a few dollars during the off season, that is for sure.  

Don't forget Michigan Football has another big visit weekend underway:

2023 Official Visitors:

Brooks Bahr, DE - Michigan Verbal Commit 

Jontay Cook II, WR Texas 4 star 

Enow Etta, DE Texas 4-star 👀

Landen Hatchett, C WA 3-star 

Amir Herring, G West Bloomfield 4-star

Jaxton Howard, TE/DE Minnesota 4-star 

Charles Jagusah, OT, IL 4-star 

Jacobe Johnson, S OK 4-star

Nathan Leacock, WR NC 3-star 

Evan Link, OT Wash DC 3-star 

Jason Moore, DT MD 4-star

Joseph Mupoyi DE, Wash DC 3-star

Phil Picciotti, LB PA 4-star

Tyler Thomson DR, NC 3-star

Deakon Tonielli, TE IL 3-star 

Raylen Wilson, LB FL Current Michigan verbal commit 4-star 

Enjoy Father's Day Weekend and the US Open!!

Michigan Thursday: Trey Burke Gets Traded

The Dallas Mavericks is trading former Michigan Basketball star Trey Burke for Christian Wood from the Houston Rockets.  As it seems that would be a fair trade, Dallas sweetened the deal by including the 26th pick in this year's draft, Boban (I can reach it), Marquese Chriss, and Sterling Brown to the Rockers.   The trade won't be official until draft night.   Good luck Trey! 

• Hutch and Naz Hamilton were both named Michigan Male and Female Athletes of the Year!  Congrats to both of them! 

• The Army - Navy Game will now rotate locations

• Visitor this weekend 2023 4-star Defensive Lineman Enow Etta is on commit watch

• Also visiting this weekend is 4-star LB Semaj Bridgeman, who also is on commit watch 

• Current commit LB Raylen Wilson is getting recruited hard by the SEC and Michigan will do its best to solidify his commitment this weekend during his visit. 

• Jaxon Howard a 4-star TE/Edge will announce on 7/1 and is visiting this weekend as well.  His final 4 is Michigan, Miami, LSU, and Minnesota. 

Michigan Tuesday: Poole Party

Slow news day, so going to talk about Jordan Poole and the Golden State Warriors.  Jordan is now 1 win a way from an NBA Championship.   The guy just loves buzzer beaters, doesn't he?   

I have to give Poole a quick hat tip.  He left college too early but worked hard in the G-League and the Warriors stuck with him.  He now is a big piece of the Warriors championship and probably should have been the most improved player in the NBA this season.   He has become a knock down shooter and still needs to work on his defense.   As the Celtics commonly try to find his match-up on the offensive side of the floor.

In a night, when Curry is throwing up bricks, Wiggins and Poole stepped up the scoring and they got a game 5 win.   On a side note, how hurt is Wiseman?  Is he even on the bench? 

Good luck to Poole in game 6! 

• Michigan Softball pitcher Alex Storako transfers to Oklahoma, who just won the National Championship. 

• Big Ten Media Day will be 7/26 -7/27 in Indy 

Michigan Tuesday: Decision Day Approaches

Michigan Basketball 2022-23 season is in a bit of flux at the moment.  Yes, we know they are going to Europe later this summer but who will be on the roster?  Michigan's two 5-star recruits from last season are contemplating their professional careers.  Caleb Houstan who was projected to be a lottery pick, did not have a good year on the floor and seems to have a secret deal with OKC at pick 24.   Moussa Diabate is barely showing up on any mock drafts and is expected to go undrafted.  

They both need to make a decision about their future soon as the deadline is tomorrow.  

Houstan is playing a dangerous game if he stays in the draft, because he will be headed to the G-League for sure to work on his game.   He is also counting on OKC having that pick and not trading it.    This feels a lot like the Jordan Poole situation to me.  Will OKC develop and stay with Houstan like Golden State did with Poole?  I don't believe that is a common situation in the NBA.    

Smart play: is to go back to Ann Arbor and work on his game and become that lottery pick scouts expected him to be in the 2023 Draft.

What do I expect? For Caleb to stay in the draft.  

Diabate thinks he might have a decision to make, but he really doesn't.  If you're not expected to even go in the 2nd round, going back to A2 is the only decision. 

Moussa is a freak athletically but as rare as rare can be on the basketball court.   Big men are not what they used to be in the NBA and working with Juwan for a couple more years, will be a great investment in his future.  

The only play here is to go back to Ann Arbor.

What do I expect? I think this is a 50/50 decision for him and he is weighing between G-League and Big Ten.   Tough to call, but I think he heads back to Ann Arbor.  

• Congratulations to Michigan Baseball who made an unexpected run to the Big Ten Tournament Title over the weekend.  They also stole a bid in the NCAA Tournament.

• Michigan Football has made the top 7 for one of the best football players in the country Nyckoles Harbor. I hope he harbors some positive feelings for the Maize and Blue! 

• Hutch's sister was named Miss Michigan.  Great Spring/Summer for the Hutchinson family! 

Michigan Monday: Juwan Says No to The Lake Show

A few outlets are reporting that the Lakers made a hard run at Juwan Howard to be their next head coach and he turned them down.   As you know, there is a strong Michigan bond between Juwan and former Michigan teammate and current Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.  With Jett and Jace on the team, he isn't going anywhere.  He also has stated he isn't leaving until they hang another National Championship banner in Crisler.   Side note: I didn't know that Rob Pelinka graduated from Michigan's Law School. 

• RIP to former Michigan OC Calvin Magee, who had a heart attack a week ago.  Calvin was RR's OC.  Please keep a good thought for his family and friends. 

• IU's Trace Jackson-Davis has withdrawn from the NBA Draft.  I don't believe we will see any Wolverines making that same decision.  If players are going to "opt out" of the NBA Draft, they need to do so prior to 6/1.

• Jordon Poole is one game away from playing in an NBA Finals

Some PGA Championship thoughts:

I'm a big fan of JT's and loved that he found a way to win at Southern Hills on Sunday.  The joy of seeing him win was only second to the heart break of seeing Mito Pereira fumble away the lead on 18.   I don't know about you, but I could see myself doing the exact same thing on that hole if I was in a similar position.  

Prior to the PGA, I know Tiger said his leg was stronger but I didn't see any proof of that during the week.   The surprising cold conditions and wind on the weekend did not allow his body to finish the tournament.   My guess is Tiger is not interested in embarrassing himself and might not play another tournament this year.   I know St. Andrews is one of his favorite courses but if he isn't healthy, I don't know if he will be up for it.  

Will Zalatoris is going to win a lot of tournaments on the PGA but he will have to figure out the putter if he is going to win majors.  His game is elite and now he just needs a putting stroke to match the rest of his game.  

Michigan Tuesday: Jett to Play Melo in a LeBron Movie

Juwan Howard's son Jett is due any day on campus to start preparing for his freshmen season as a Wolverine.  Those plans might be delayed a few weeks as Jett is going to play Carmelo Anthony in a movie about LeBron called Shooting Stars.  The movie is being filmed by Universal and will be shown on NBC's Peacock streaming service.  

Per ComicBook.com: Shooting Stars chronicles how James and his best friends in Akron formed a close-knit bond that sustained them first through a failed national championship tournament to winning a title by the end of high school. Along the way, there were plenty of tests, such as broken homes, jealousies, and even James’ own mega-success.

The movie is based off a book by James and Buzz Bissinger and filming begins in Ohio this week.  There are a few young stars in the movie including: Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger Things and Algee Smith from Euphoria.  What a great opportunity for Jett! 

• In not so shocking news, Fox will carry Michigan vs. Ohio State and it will kick off on Noon.  In other news, the sun will rise tomorrow. 

• Michigan Basketball has 5 former players in the NBA Conference finals.  We all know about Jordan Poole, Duncan Robinson, and Tim Hardaway Jr., but let us not forget Trey Burke (Mavs) and Nik Stauskas (Celtics).  Neither Trey nor Nik is really seeing any floor time and Nik was a late in the year signee for Boston.  Duncan was used very sparling against Philly.   This guarantees at least one Wolverine will be an NBA Champion this season.

• A real Wolverine was spotted in Montana earlier this month

• Please keep a good thought for former Michigan assistant Calvin Magee who suffered a heart attack on Sunday night.  

• The Pats signed Andrew Stueber last night

Michigan Tuesday: Houstan to Also Kick NBA Tires

Information and options are important in anything you do, whether it's taking a new job or buying a new HD TV (to the kids out there, that is the black box hanging on your wall).   So, I never see the harm in getting a full NBA evaluation before making a decision.   Moussa athletically will make some folks in the NBA swoon that he could be the next Greek Freak or Siakam but Caleb still has a lot to improve on.  Is it worth the process and getting very detailed feedback?  It sure is, but I expect Caleb Houstan to be back in Ann Arbor next year.   I'm sure you noticed that Hunter didn't go through the process again.

Let's not forget the NBA Draft is not like the NFL Draft, a 1st and 2nd rounder usually get plenty of chances to be really good in the NFL.  In the NBA, 2nd round guys are drafted to be cut, fill out a summer league roster, or at best sign a 2-way deal with the G-league.  

Here is a quick list of Michigan guys, that went too early to the draft:

• Jordan Poole - left too early but used his time wisely and had a franchise that stuck with him.  He is now a budding star.  Verdict - could have used one more year.   You don't leave early to be a late 2nd rounder. (Steve Nash is also on record that Poole could have used 1 more year in college).  Hat tip to Golden State, staying with Poole. 

• Iggy Brazdeikis - Left after his freshman year and it was a terrible decision.  Been trying to hang on in the NBA ever since.  Verdict - should have stayed multiple years. 

• DJ Wilson - left after his sophomore year, got picked 17 in the 1st round and averaged 18 minutes a game for Milwaukee in 2018/19.  Played 4 games this season.  Verdict - if he stayed one more year Michigan might have a national championship.  Probably could have used 1 more, but going 17 makes it a push.  

• Nik Stauskas - left after his sophomore year and was picked 8th in the draft.  Since then, he has struggled to stay in the NBA.  Verdict - another too high draft spot but in hindsight should have stayed.  8th money is hard to pass up.  

• Mitch McGary - also left after his sophomore year but had other issues.  Really didn't have an NBA career and is now doing what he loves.   Verdict - should have stayed but probably didn't have a choice.  

All of the guys that left too early, probably shouldn't have.  Poole will be the only one to come out of that process successfully and that is because Golden State really was invested in him.   Which is very rare in the NBA.  Poole still has been bouncing back and forth from the G-League to the NBA for a few years.  

• Michigan Basketball with play UNC in the first ever Jumpman Invitational next season.   As you know, UNC played in the National Championship game this past season. 

• Guess who might be coming for Big Ten Football game package?  Apple and Amazon 

Michigan Friday: News and Notes

• Jordan Poole continues his unbelievable playoff performances with another 27-point 69% shooting last night.   The Warriors will be scary if they stay healthy during the playoffs.   

• Happy Birthday to Duncan Robinson! 

• Michigan hosted CA 2024 five-star DB Peyton Woodyard yesterday

• PFF says Dax Hill gave up 1TD the last 2 years 

• 2023 4-star DL Jahsear Whittington just committed to Pitt and then gets a call from Grant Newsome with an offer.  

• Sounds like Michigan and Donovan Jeter couldn't work out a return to the program.  I expect we will hear he has entered the transfer portal soon.  This should open the door to a possible DT transferring in. 

• Michigan hosted 4 players from a high school (KIPP) in Columbus on Thursday.  

• Players need to decide on the NBA on or before Sunday 4/24 so we should hear about Moussa Diabate and Hunter soon.   The rumor mill is saying that NIL might keep Hunter at Michigan but MD might be headed to the NBA.  We will see, 

• There continues to be positive buzz around TT wing transfer Shannon to Michigan.  His AAU coach even tweeted a congratulations before deleting it.   As we know, it's never final until its final with admissions. 

Michigan Tuesday: Poole Party

Jordan Poole likes the NCAA Tournament and now the NBA Playoffs.  He has one of the most memorable buzzer beaters in the tournament and now is putting up big numbers in his first experience in the Playoffs.  Game 1: 30 points on 69% shooting, Game 2: 29 points on 62% shooting.   I think the Splash Brothers have added a Poole! 

• Per reports De'Veon Smith was cut from his USFL Team because he wanted Pizza instead of Chicken Salad for a pregame meal.  WTF?  Smith has been in the NFL, AAF, XFL, CFL, and now a short stint in the USFL.  

• I watched the ESPN JoPa 30 for 30 last night and thought it was weak and just a retold story of things we already knew. 

• Which franchise do you trust more with Hutch's career?  JAX or Detroit?

Michigan Tuesday: News and Notes

• Caris vs. KD tonight in an NBA Play in Game

• Juwan Howard is a candidate for the Lakes head coaching job.   I don't know if he wants to work for LeBron and Jett is about to enroll, so I would not consider this job a big threat. 

• RIP Gilbert Gottfried

• Naz Hillmon goes #15 to Atlanta Dream who is run by a former player and now co-owner Renee Montgomery 

• Michigan is a player in the recruitment of 2025 QB target Ryan Montgomery whose brother is a OSU commit 

• I forgot to mention that Josh Conerly picked Oregon over the weekend.  This was a classic recruitment of wanting to be the leader late, not early in his recruitment.   I was a little surprised he didn't stay home at UW or go to USC. 

Wolverine Wednesday: Captain Hook Likes 10

Zavier Simpson has been playing really well lately in the G-League, which earned him a 10-day contract with his clubs NBA Team the OKC Thunder.  Zavier scored 10 points with 3 hook shots last night and forever will be able to say that he played in the NBA.   Congratulations and Michigan Fans are proud of you! 

• Harvard now has a former Michigan Basketball Coach on the Men's and Women's Teams.  They just hired Carrie Moore, a U of M assistant, for their open head coaching role. 

• Speaking of former Michigan Basketball players, Iggy had a season high 20 points last night as Orlando took on Cleveland.   Which looked like a Michigan All Star Game with 4 Wolverines playing.  (Wagner Brothers, Iggy, and Caris)

• Michigan RB commit and local boy Cole "Copa" Cabana jumped 65 spots in 24/7's ranking and is now the 182nd player in the country. 

Michigan Tuesday: Daily News and Notes

• Livers got his first NBA points on Sunday 

• The Raptors have re-signed DJ Wilson

• OSU is putting up a JJ quote in their Lockeroom.  Bulletin board comments are now digital.  

• Local boy and US Amateur Champion James Piot will make his first start on the PGA Tour this weekend at the Arnold Palmer in Orlando.  I assume he is playing as an amateur to protect his invite to the majors.  I believe if he turns pro he would lose those opportunities. 

• NFL combine starts on the 3rd

Michigan Monday: News and Notes

• Michigan's Women's Basketball had a big win over #5 Baylor this weekend 

• Dearborn Divine Child C/OG Dylan Senda is announcing today.  He is a 3-Star OL with offers from Michigan, Iowa, MSU, PSU, Northwestern, Miami, UK, and more.  Dylan is 6'5 275 pounds. (Michigan has 100% of the CB's) 👍

• LA Times named recent signee Mason Graham its HS Player of the Year. 

• Huge Congratulations to The Ferris State Bulldogs for being Division II National Champions in dominating fashion!!!!  The State of Michigan Universities sure did have a good year on the field. 

• Harbaugh staffer Steve Casula will serve as Don Brown's OC at UMASS after the CFP. The word is Steve is a top-notch offensive mind and played a big part in Michigan's offense this season. Ironically, Steve was also at Ferris State the last time they made a run to the NC game in 2018.  

• Chaundee Brown got his first points in his NBA career and then took a charge on the next play

• Bo Nix is a Duck and will have 2 years to play 

Michigan Tuesday: The Night Game Dance

Michigan is a huge brand in college football and fans will watch to support the team and its rivals fans will watch hoping Michigan loses.   I believe Howard Stern was quoted about his audience (paraphrasing) "The listeners that love me will listen for an hour, the ones that hate me listen for 3 hours".  Ask an Ohio State fan, they much rather enjoy watching a Michigan loss then a Ohio State win any Saturday. 

With Fox, ESPN, ABC, and the Big Ten Network trying to fill a primetime game every weekend, Michigan becomes a big candidate for a night game.   Outside a non-conference match-up every year, the Michigan faithful does not support multiple night games in the Big House.  That is why you see Michigan play at night on the road and there are a number of examples the last few years:  Iowa,  Rutgers, Minnesota, ND, Utah, Penn State, and more.  

I was wrong with the Big Ten rule about TV forcing nights games.  I thought 11/1 was the date where both programs had to agree to play at night.   That rule goes into effect after this weekend and the reason the Michigan - IU game which should be a noon game, is now a 7:30 kick on the commercial heavy Fox.   The good news is the Michigan @ Penn State game will now not be a primetime white out and will be a noon or 3:30 kick.     

• Franz got the #1 play on ESPN last night on a poster-ize dunk over the Timberwolves

• In the world of crazy, I have two stories for you. Florida fans believe Dan Mullen is out and he will be replaced by Urban Meyer.   2nd: Texas Special Teams coach has a new stripper girl friend that has a pet monkey that bite a child at some type of Halloween activity at their home on Sunday.  

• Sounds like the MAC is expanding with Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky.    

• University of Miami made some type of illegal communication with its coaches during its game with Pitt and we have 20% less communication devices during the Georgia Tech game. 

• Illinois center Kofi Cockburn sold some of his Illinois gear before that became legal by the NCAA and now will serve a 3 game suspension.   Can one of those games be against Michigan?

Michigan Thursday: Big Ten Preview Week 8

 The Big Boy match-ups don't start until next week (Mich @ MSU and PSU@OSU) so we have another "stinker" weekend of Big Ten match-ups.  

Illinois @ #7 Penn State (-24) - Will Sean Clifford play?  He was seen taking snaps during practice, which means he is on track to playing against Ohio State, they won't need him this weekend.  Brett Arnold Bielema is bashing his own team and former coaching staff for lack of depth on the offensive line.   This won't end well.   PSU 34 Illinois 14

Wisconsin (-3) @ #25 Purdue - Lets talk about Vegas disrespect.  Wisconsin is 3-3 with losses in all its high profile games.   Purdue is ranked and just beat the #2 team in the nation on the road and is playing at home this week and they're a underdog!  Rarely does momentum from one week follow to the next but still Purdue has to win this one, right?  Purdue 28 Wisconsin 18

Maryland @ Minnesota (-5):  I have no idea about either one of these 4-2 teams.  Minnesota will shut out Colorado one week and then get beat by Bowling Green the next.  I think Maryland is the better team but who the hell knows?   Maryland 12 Minnesota 10 

#5 Ohio State (-21) @ IU: Why ABC?  There isn't another night game possibility and you just went with the complete blow out.  Maybe you were thinking this was COVID Indiana, because its not.   Ohio State 51 IU 17

• Franz played well during his first real NBA Game last night:  shot 6-9, 12 points, 4 boards, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal

• If you haven't been noticing Jordan Poole is blowing up and could become the next NBA all star or Splash Brother (which makes sense with the last name Poole). 

• Deep thoughts:  With Tennessee's QB injuries, could Joe Milton be facing Alabama this weekend?

Wolverine Wednesday: Good To See X and Chaundee

California has a strange summer league tournament that kicked off last night.  Xavier Simpson and Chaundee Brown both played and got good minutes for the Lakers last night.   Wasn't the greatest basketball but fun to watch for a few minutes when they both were on the court together. 

• Seems a late hit from Peppers caused a big fight at Giants practice 

• Kansas journey to the Big Ten, which seemed dead last week has picked up some steam.  

• Big 12 and PAC 12 are talking a partnership 

• Mo Wagner has signed a 2 year deal to play in Orlando with his brother

Michigan Tuesday: The $90M Man

There have been a ton of firsts in Duncan Robinson's life.  He was the first D3 player to transfer to a D1 school in college basketball and now he is the first non-drafted player to earn a $90M contract.   That's right, Duncan has agreed to a 5 year $90M contract to stay with Miami last night after the Free Agency period opened up.  Damn proud of you, Duncan!  I like to think of all his success is due to him passing me in a golf cart on a Disney golf course during the bubble last summer. 

Duncan wasn't the only former Wolverine to sign a big contract yesterday.  Dallas renewed Tim Hardaway Jr. 4 years at $74M.   That is $164M for 2 former Wolverines on Monday afternoon.   Both of this guys should send Coach B a fruit basket or a Tesla.  

• WR Dillon Bell (who sounds like a Nickelodeon show cast member) has picked Georgia over Michigan.  

• 2023 QB and #1 ranked player Quinn Ewers has decided to re-classify and enroll at OSU now.   This NIL is really changing things.  I wonder how his high school teammates are feeling right now?  I think there must be a rule that OSU has to have a 5 star QB on the roster. 

Michigan Friday: Being Duncan Robinson

I'm not sure I've every been more happy and once more disappointed in a Michigan player in my entire life of being a Michigan fan.   Let's start with the negative first, I remember writing before the National Championship game, that is was going to be a battle between 6 men on who wins the game.  I was right, DiVincenzo went for 31 and Duncan scored 0.   

I thought Duncan was headed to the public sector or would spend a few years in Europe playing.  He gets a summer league contract and then Miami signs him to their roster.   He was starting in the NBA Finals last summer.  (I also saw him playing golf at Disney during that time)

That is a hell of a comeback and ride.  Duncan has also reviled he has a condition called "imposter syndrome" where he feels he is not worthy of the accolades, accomplishment, or the career he has received.  

If you search on Duncan's name today, you see two types of stories:

1. Duncan maybe the replacement for Bradley Beal on Team USA in the Olympics.  

2. Duncan is a valued free agent, with stories about interest from the NY Knicks and LA Lakers. 

Duncan you probably don't read this blog, but if you happen to come across this post.  Here is some friendly advice; you have earned your standing in the NBA by working hard and getting the right opportunity.   You deserve everything positive that has happened to you (scholarship from a D3 to Michigan, Playing in the NBA, and starting in an NBA Final) and everything positive that will come.  Keep working hard, being humble, and shooting the 3!   You are a Michigan Man and the Michigan faithful is behind you.   

Hope to see you on the course!