Michigan Tuesday: Brakes on the Axle?

Seems the Axle might be strongly leaning towards the NBA.  Even though he is a late first rounder or second, he told a Birmingham newspaper that he is 80-20 going to the league and Ann Arbor is a safety net.   We will see how his draft stock plays out, I remember a young Hunter Dickinson going through the draft process only to come back and play 14 more years of college basketball.  

• Congrats to Florida on the NCAA Championship last night.   Kelvin Sampson again misses out on the winning that National Championship.  I'm sure Jim Nance will be sad at Augusta this weekend.   Dusty's former recruit and player at FAU Alijah Martin is now a National Champion.

• Augusta?  Welcome to Masters Week!

• I hear OSU presumed QB starter is struggling in Spring Practice.  Which we hear every year.  I one time watched the Ohio State Spring Game and Justin Fields looked awful.  I think they leak that information on purpose. 

• Amorion Walker is listed on the Spring Roster without a number.  Coach Bellamy says, he is working through something.   Usually when a player doesn't have a number, he has work to do in the classroom. 

• One name I thought we would hear more from last season was MSU transfer Safety Jaden Mangham who played 2 years in East Lansing.  Sounds like Jaden got hurt in Fall camp and the learning curve between the two schools was larger than expected.   After red shirting last year, I expect a big year from Jaden.

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 Monday: May Day in March

When it was clear Juwan was heading out of the program, I said Warde should make two phone calls.  #1 is to Jay Wright and #2 to Dusty May.  I don't' know if Jay was ever in play but many insiders have said, he has no interest in today's NIL world.  Which would make FAU's Dusty May, mine and Warde's #1 pick.  

Warde quickly pulled the trigger and got Dusty a day after FAU lost in the tournament. I'm uniquely qualified to discuss Dusty.  My son just graduated from FAU and he and my wallet went to the Final 4 last year.   So I've watched more then my fair share of Owl Basketball.  

Dusty came from Florida where he was a long time assistant for Mike White.  Dusty built the FAU Basketball Program from nothing.  FAU was built on football with a line of famous football coaches including Lane Kiffin and now Tom Herman.  Football has had limited success but Basketball made it to the Final 4 last year and lost by a basket from making it to the National Championship.  To give this perspective, FAU plays their home games in a basically a Gym not an Arena.  FAU has a football stadium that hosts a bowl game.  

Dusty built his program by finding gems in the portal.  I used to joke with my son, he found these guys in a local YMCA.  He runs an offense that has ties to European Basketball that can confuse an opponent with talented players.   As you might imagine, Dusty did not bring these kids in with huge NIL checks.  

I've seen comparisons online that Dusty is a young John Beilein and I agree 100%.  His is an offensive coach and I hope he brings in a great DC.   He is a great face of the program and I hope is in Ann Arbor for a long time.   Louisville thought they had him on Saturday night, but Warde and Coach B convinced him to come to Ann Arbor.  OSU was interested before hiring its interim coach and Vandy was also involved.   Dusty was clearly the top guy that was available right now.  

I've been very critical of Warde for many reasons but he did an excellent job here and even passed on getting his buddy Ed Cooley another raise.   Dusty will have his hands full in this job, he has to save the signed recruiting class, bring in a new staff, and hit the portal hard.   I hope he has a ton of success in all areas. 

• Dusty signed a $3.75M a year - 5 year contract 

• JJ was sharp at Michigan's Pro Day.  It was interesting they were showcasing Blake's downfield WR skills. 

• Michigan Women's Basketball and Michigan Hockey both had tough results on Saturday. 

• Class move for Juwan to attend the Women's NCAA game 

• Karmello English who was true freshman last season and caught 1 ball for 1 TD.  Is jumping into the portal in April and no longer with the team.  With the lack of depth in the WR room, this is a curious decision in my opinion.  I would assume there are other issues here at play other then playing time.