Breaking News: Michigan Looking Into Players Selling Team Issued Jordans

stadium goods

As I mentioned here on Tuesday, the sneaker re-sale market is a big business and for Michigan to have avoided the pitfalls of a player re-selling his Jordan's has been a minor miracle.   That quickly changed today as news broke that Michigan is investigating the below report from ESPN.


It seems the shop that bought the North Carolina Players shoes, also has some Michigan shoes in stock.  Like I mentioned on Tuesday, Stadium Goods has a pair of Michigan Jordan's for sale for $6500.


A source told ESPN that the retailer told UNC it had bought shoes from other schools, including Michigan, Marquette and California. Officials from all three schools acknowledged, through athletic department spokesmen, that they were contacted by North Carolina and are in the process of investigating the claims.


This could be something or nothing.  Jordan provides "friends and families" shoes to many athletes and celebrities, so it doesn't mean that a player sold their pair.   Also a former player could have sold his shoes. 


Let's hope this is nothing and the current Wolverines did the right thing.

Michigan Thursday: Weekend Visitors and a New Jordan Release

Before we get to the fun information lets do a quick re-cap of the two new NCAA rules that were approved yesterday. 


#1: Freshman 4:  Freshman now will be able to play in 4 games a year and not lose their eligibility for a redshirt.   Some of you might remember RR's last game at Michigan in the Gator Bowl.   Tate got sent home due to grades, which left only Denard being able to play.   If Denard got hurt, that would have meant Devin Gardner a true freshman would have burned his redshirt for playing in a bowl game.  Now, that won't happen and freshman can still save their redshirt year and get some game experience. 


#2: Transfer rules have been reduced:  from the NCAA...…….


The Division I Council adopted a proposal this week that creates a new “notification-of-transfer” model. This new system allows a student to inform his or her current school of a desire to transfer, then requires that school to enter the student’s name into a national transfer database within two business days. Once the student-athlete’s name is in the database, other coaches are free to contact that individual.


Conferences could still limit inter-conference transfer but no longer can coaches restrict a players school options.


These are good changes, well done NCAA!


Michigan will be hosting some important 2019 visitors this weekend including:

• 5 Star RB Quavaris Crouch from NC
• 4 star S Lewis Cine from Texas
• 3 star WR Demontae Crumes
• Teammates from Columbus Rodas Johnson 4 star DT and Joey Velazquez LB - Joey is the prospect that is committed to OSU Baseball.

The Jordan brand released a Michigan Jordan 12 Player Edition that was designed by PSNY a Michigan Alumni designer for the team only.  We expected that same shoe would be released this summer and it's coming a week from Saturday with a twist. 


The PSNY branding has been removed and here are some official looks at the shoe that will release in about a week.


Cost is $225
Release date: 6/23/2018

Michigan Friday: A Big Day For Wolverine Sneakerheads

Nike and the Jordan Brand are dropping two new Michigan basketball shoes today at 10:00.   They will be available at MDen and probably online at Nike.com.  


It's rare for Jordan to drop two Michigan shoes on the same day, but they are hoping that March Madness will open your wallet.  It's a little taste of the new and a little taste of the old.    We will take a look at both shoes in todays post. 





These shoes are the newest in the Jordan line.  It's Russell Westbrook's first signature basketball shoes (he has done a few lifestyle shoes for Jordan) called the Why Not Zer0.1.  The first Why Not's sold out quickly, but the second and the third releases around the All Star Game are still available.  


I believe I saw Charles Matthews wearing these this past weekend in NYC as the Wolverines ran the table.   As you can see there are no laces on these and very lightweight.  Retail is $125







These are the Michigan edition Jordan 32's low.  If you ask regular sneakerhead's they would've preferred a release in a much lower Jordan version number.  We didn't get that and today we have the 32's.  Which seems to be a trend as the last Michigan Shoe was the Jordan 31's.  This isn't your fathers Jordan's and crafted for today's marketplace with the flyknit uppers and leather heel panel.   Retail is $160. Update: Sold out at MDen - still available at Nike.com

• Looks like David Brandon will be looking for another gig as Toys-R-Us isn't going to make it out of bankruptcy and are starting the liquidation process.   Another major retailer dying as our shopping habits continue to change. 

• Coach B will being running a full game inter squad scrimmage today with officials to keep his team sharp during the break.

• ESPN recently removed Jemele Hill from Sports Center and this morning it was announced today will be Michael Smith's last day on the show as well.  Both still remain under contract with ESPN.

Michigan Tuesday: A Day Before NSD

Things seem very quiet on the recruiting trail right now for the 2018 class.  The coaches and recruiting services are very focused on 2019 and it's almost a surprise the National Signing Day is tomorrow.   Can Michigan flip a DT or OT?  I wouldn't hold my breathe.   This has been a strange year all around.   Biggest drama is Otis Reese and what he is planning.  Hail Mary is a commitment from Nicholas Petit-Frere.  Let's hope Jimmy has a surprise up his sleeve.

• James Ross III is back in Ann Arbor and will join Jimmy's staff, I believe as an analyst.

• Rumor is saying that OSU DC Greg Schiano might back fill Matt Patricia as the Patriots DC.

• Sounds like this might be the next public Michigan Jordan release:

Wolverine Wednesday: More Sneaker News and Dantonio Makes A Statement

Let's first get to the light hearted news with the next public release of the next Michigan Jordan Sneakers:





These will release on 3/7 at a cost of $160.   These are Air Jordan Low's 31's. or XXXI.

• MSU's athletic department is on fire and the football program is one of the programs that continues to throw logs on that fire.  Head coach  Mark Dantonio finally made a statement on the situation.   The latest if you missed it, was that LB Jon Reschke is taking a graduate transfer for his final year.  Reschke was considered to be one of the Spartan's best players on defense and the rumor mill is saying he was thrown off the team after making some racial slurs.

• This is a bit of a side note, but I know many of us are considering "cutting the cord" on our cable bill.  The big question is how do I watch sports and Michigan Football?  Many Michigan fans consider the best solution if your using Roku or another device is a subscription to Sony's PlayStation Streaming Service called Vue.  It includes BTN and ESPN.   (you don't need a PlayStation to use the Vue service).   YouTube will now have a new streaming service in a few months that will include all the over the air stations (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) and will include ESPN and BTN.  Which could be a good option as well.   I believe Vue is about $40 a month, YouTube will be priced for about $35.