Wolverine Wednesday: Is Trying To Bring In Another Big Man

Dusty loves him some 7-foot centers.  Michigan is targeting 7'3 UCLA center Aday Mara.  He is from Spain and has played 2 seasons for the Bruins.  The big man averaged 6 points and 4 boards a game.  With the loss of Vlad and the expected loss of Wolf, I expect Aday would get plenty of playing time in Ann Arbor.  The deal is not done, but many recruiting services are predicting it will.  Mara is rated right around the 4th or 5th Center in the portal. 

• Pippen transfers to CAL and we wish him luck! 

• Michigan Baseball threw a no-hitter against Akron in 30 degree weather (it was a 7 inning run rule game). 

• Michigan Basketball finished #10 in the AP 

• MSU's Richardson is heading to the Draft. 

Michigan Monday: BBQ - The Day After

The BBQ this weekend came and went without a public commitment.  I'm not hinting that there was a private one, I'm just saying that many recruits will commit to a coach before they make it public.   It's also pretty common for commitments to come during the following week of the BBQ.   Either way, Michigan has some ground to make-up in 2023 and 2024.  

Michigan's next all in QB is Jayden Davis (2024) brought 9 family members to the BBQ.  I would assume that is a great sign for him being very interested in Ann Arbor.

Hopefully we will get some positive news from the BBQ in the next two weeks.  

Update: Just as I was about to post this article, 2023 4-star OT Evan Link from DC commits! Big win for the Wolverines in a needed position.  More to come on Tuesday. 

• From a distance it seemed Detroit did a nice job with the Rocket Morgage PGA Tour stop this weekend.   Having a very well liked, Tony Finau as your champion doesn't hurt either. 

• The thing I don't understand in the DeShaun Watson case, is if either side doesn't agree with the 6-game decision, they can appeal to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.  If the NFL doesn't agree with the appointed Judge, can they appeal to itself?  "We don't agree with this decision and will now appeal to me". 

• UCLA and Under Armour came to a 67.5M settlement after UA pulled out of the contract.  That should help before UCLA gets their Big Ten pay day. 

Michigan Friday: Wow! UCLA and USC Move To The Big Ten

Talk about news out of nowhere as USC and UCLA both have joined the Big Ten.   First, I thought it was a rumor, then I thought it would take weeks to get confirmed, and then it was done.   This all happened in like 3 hours.  I'm shocked on a couple things.  1 - how quickly this came together and 2 - how it didn't leak out before it was basically over.  

So what does this mean?

It means college football as we know it, is dead.   We are now in Super Conference territory where TV money is the most important thing.  The Big Ten is about to sign an NFL worthy billion dollar + TV deal that now includes one of the largest cities in America.  It was a huge win for UCLA/USC and the Big Ten.  

The conferences that lose in this battle is very clear:  PAC 10 (now), ACC, and the Big 12.   The PAC 12 (-2) is now going to lose more teams, as reports are that Washington and Oregon have already contacted the Big 10.   The ACC is now expected to lose Clemson and FSU to probably the SEC.   The only other big time program without a home is ND.  Who won't go to the ACC if they lose their top programs.   Which means at some point they will be forced to join the SEC or Big Ten.  

ND is on record that they would consider going to a league full time if, they lose a road to the playoffs or lose a TV partner.   What if you can't fill a schedule with quality opponents?   What if the Big Ten says, we have enough teams in our league and we will only be playing 1 non-conference game per year.   Sorry ND, your rivalry game with USC is now cancelled and so are the rest of your Big Ten games on future schedules.   

Travel is an issue:

Sure travel is going to be an issue to the West Coast for volleyball games, etc.    The cost of travel for teams is now going to triple, but the $100M a year from a TV contract will have to cover that.   Let's also be honest, with virtual school now becoming a standard thing, being in a classroom everyday doesn't need to happen anymore to get a quality education. 

What does this mean for Michigan Football?

Good and Bad.  Does this open the door for more West Coast recruits to come to Ann Arbor?  I think it does, how many California recruits has Michigan lost due to distance for their family to travel for games?  The distance from A2 from LA hasn't changed but saying you will get to play in front of your family once a year, might be the tipping point in Michigan's favor. 

If you have followed Michigan Football for a long time, you know the Wolverines don't play well when they travel west over the Rocky Mountains.   Never have.   Even when they would leave two weeks early for the Rose Bowl.   

Speaking of the Rose Bowl, this traditional match-up could be over in a few years.   Lastly, this is a clear sign that the College Football Playoff system staying at 4 teams is very short sided and needs to change immediately.  Interesting times. 

• Can we hire a baseball coach please?

• Collins Acheampong 4-star athlete who was supposed to commit today (probably Michigan) has pushed his announcement date into the future at some point.  😞

• Michigan Basketball has offered the nephew of Marlin Jackson. 

Have a great holiday weekend! 

Wolverine Wednesday: You'll Bet Your Butt

Let me take you back to the Orange Bowl - Michigan vs. FSU.   One of Harbaugh's most talented teams with even a Heisman finalist Jabrill Peppers. 

I think most people in the Midwest or East, don't know that Florida can get cold in December and January.   Like in the 40's cold and the Orange Bowl was one of those days.   I got tickets for my entire family for our first time at Hard Rock Stadium.    We are seated in the nose bleed section and near an open side of the stadium.   The wind was blowing through that open area and freezing us out.   My wife and daughter made it a quarter before they left to find someplace warm.  

Prior to the kickoff, two things happened.   The FSU horse fell down on the field and Peppers was ruled out for the game with a hamstring injury.   Both were pretty shocking.   Then the game started and the Wolverines started slow, finished strong, but lost by 1 point.    The day for me took a terrible turn when Jake Butt blew out his ACL, a few months away from getting drafted in the 1st or 2nd round of the  2017 NFL Draft.   Putting his entire NFL career in doubt.  

chat sports

That prediction ended up being accurate, in 4 seasons with the Broncos including another ACL injury and a hamstring, Jake only saw action in 8 games.   After his rookie contract expired, the Broncos' moved on and made Jake a free agent.   When it happened, I again was concerned for his future in the NFL and wrote this might mean retirement. 

Maybe I was wrong.  Jake worked out for the Cardinals last week and ESPN Field Yates believes Jake will find a new NFL team soon.   If anyone deserves a healthy few years in the NFL its Jake, good luck big man! 

• After a good visit last weekend USC Transfer DT Jay Toia has committed to UCLA.   Well, that was fast.  I guess his position coach moved from USC to UCLA recently.   Hard to get kids from California.

• Someone donated $550M to Western Michigan.  Largest donation to a University ever.  No word if WMU has a new starting QB with the last name Gates or Bezos. 

• Luke McCaffrey who transferred from Nebraska to Louisville, but didn't attend a class or participate in Spring Practice has now left Louisville.

Michigan Tuesday: UCLA Up Next

Can we discuss tonight's tip time for a second?  CBS/TBS decided to put the 2 West Coast Teams playing at 7:00 EST, instead of the team from the EST time zone?   Just another strange decision from the network that brings you Dan Bonner, Jim Spanarkel, and the new show United States of Al! (that show goes 2 weeks maybe?)

UCLA is a scrappy undersized program that fights for every win.  They have good shooters and run a ton of isolation to try to get open 3's.   When the 3 is dropping they are hard to beat.   They are just the opposite of what Michigan likes to run.   Which should make this an interesting game, as some believe the way to beat a good team is to do just the opposite of what they do.  

UCLA's center is a big man but only 6'9, Hunter should have his way in the low post, mostly if UCLA decides not to double.  If they do double, it should give Brooks, Wagner, Brown, and Smith open 3's or chances to dribble drive.   I like the way Michigan ran the high - low against FSU and can see that being effective against the Bruins as well.  I can see John's getting more time at the 5 in this game.    UCLA has played a ton of basketball the last two weeks and coming off an OT win over Alabama.   Michigan will try to use their bench to wear down the Bruins with good defense and a well executed offense.  

If Michigan can limit UCLA's 3 point shooting, I like the Wolverines chances.  

• Michigan Football suffered a de-commit to the 2022 class in 4 star DB Taylor Groves.  Taylor committed to Michigan from Tennessee early on when Coach Mo got the job in Ann Arbor.   Seems he rushed the decision and is now 100% open.   Good luck to him in finding a new school.  

• MSU's Rocket Watts is in the transfer portal.  MSU picked up a transfer PG just last weekend. 

• Both Baylor and Houston advanced to the Final 4 last night

Michigan Monday: Beautiful Basketball

I had an idea last week that this game might go the way it did.  I don't like predicting blow outs because I feared it would make the opposite come true.   (Like I do for pretty much every football game the past few years). 

Michigan showed the world again the basketball they were playing prior to the Illinois game, when most of the world was not paying attention to the Wolverines.   Michigan got caught in a bit of a rut at the end of the year and limped into the NCAA Tournament as a #1 seed.   Most people noticed.   Folks, wrote off the first 2 wins in the tournament as being a #1 seed and were picking a very talented FSU team to beat the Wolverines.  

Something happened on the way to that upset, Michigan out everything Florida State.   Juwan and Michigan's staff not only out coached Leonard Hamilton and crew, they also embarrassed them as FSU had a week to prepare for the Wolverines.    FSU looked out of sorts all day, as they weren't running any offense and was giving Michigan lay ups as they tried to defend.  I've watched a ton of basketball this tournament and few teams seem to run any type of offense.   It's all 1 on 1 isolation ball.   Michigan is just the opposite, running a high - low offense that seemed to confuse the Seminoles all night.  

It was a Masterpiece for all to see.   Keep painting Juwan! 

Again balanced scoring!  I've mentioned in the past Michigan would not miss Livers if they could make up the 16 points he left with.   

Last night:

Johns = 14

Brown = 12

Johns continued his improved play, yes he had a couple butter finger turnovers but he played one of his best games as a Wolverine.  

If I have to look at a few negatives:

Michigan shot 3-11 from 3 point range.  They need better 3 point shooting from here on out.   

Michigan also missed 8 free throws, which is a killer if this was a close game.  

• Colin Castleton has entered the NBA Draft and won't hire an agent. 

• Mike Woodson gets the IU job

• Shaka Smart saw the writing on the wall at Texas and moved to Marquette

• Michigan - UCLA 10:00 on Tuesday

• Update: Giles Jackson is now confirmed in the transfer portal.   Good luck to him at his next school.  

Michigan Thursday: Why the First 4 Matter

Michigan fans have plenty of interest to stay up late and watch basketball tonight, in what used to be the first day of the NCAA tournament but this year its the First 4.   

1st:  Let's scout Michigan's opponent in the 5:10 game Texas Southern (16-8) vs Mt. Saint Mary (12-10).  This is a TruTV game and probably the only time anyone watches that channel.   You will have to search for it in your guide.   This is basically a pick'em game as MSM is -1 favorite.   Strange seeing a team make the tournament with 12 wins.   

2nd:  MSU vs UCLA - which seems more like a first round game then a First 4.   MSU has beat some big boys like Michigan, Illinois, and OSU in the last month.   But they also can look like an NIT team some days.   This is the late game with a 10:00 tip on TBS.    Sparty is a -2 favorite. 

• Jourdan Lewis signs a 3 year $16M deal to stay with the Cowboys. 

• As expected, Josh Burnham committed to ND - the loss of BJM hurt Michigan here. 

Enjoy basketball tonight!  BTW:  Isn't the tournament so much better when Michigan is good?  😀

Michigan Monday: Thank Goodness Michigan Didn't Pick Under Armour

When Michigan left adidas a few years ago they had a choice between Under Armour and Nike/Jordan brands.  UA had been over paying for a few schools like ND and UCLA as their products are not seen on the same level as adidas or Nike mostly when it comes to basketball.  The UA Steph Curry line has seen a dramatic decline in the market after its initial strong release.   It was a bit of an upset when Curry resigned with UA recently. 

Under Armour is now struggling in other areas as its stock is down 75% from 5 years ago.  In November, founder Kevin Plank stepped aside as CEO to become Executive Chairman and Brand Officer.   In that same month last year, the Wall Street Journal reported the SEC and Justice Department are investigating UA's accounting practices and moving around sales to make top line revenue look better then it truly was.    Throw in a Pandemic, the future is not bright for this Baltimore based sporting goods manufacture. 

Now reports are that UA is looking to terminate UCLA's 15 year 280 million dollar contract due to a contractual marketing benefit that UA is saying they are not receiving.  UA also has deals with CAL and Utah in the PAC 12.  In the Big Ten, Maryland, Northwestern, and Wisconsin are with Under Armour. 

UCLA has struggled recently with its 2 highest profile sports and UA has clearly not seen the sales they expected.  If you take that into account, with the other UA issues, it was only a matter of time before they tried to pull the plug on this partnership.   I wouldn't be surprised if this was the first of many contracts UA tries to get out of.  Better take notice The Rock, Cam Newton, Jordan Spieth, and other Universities with huge payments coming. 

If I were ND, Wisconsin, NW, and Maryland (Kevin Plank's Alma Mater) I would be concerned with the stability of the company they're in partnership with. 

Michigan Tuesday: Better Than Expected

I wonder how Vegas did on Monday's night National Championship game?   The over under was at 118 and both teams blew that number away.  It seems most folks were considering the under.  The game started slow but finished fast with good defense and some strong outside shooting.

I know Coach B was at the Final 4 receiving a leadership award, but not sure if he stayed the entire weekend.   I hope he was able to watch the game and consider the differences between his team and Virginia or even TT.   Michigan lacked consistent three point shooting all year long.   The Wolverines would go on long slumps of offense and it finally caught up with them against Tech.  Michigan needed that guy that could hit a 3 to get them out of the slump and re-start their confidence.  I hope they figure that out over the summer as the defense is good enough to play on the final day of the season.

Per Coach B: “One of the things they have to do is — we only get four hours a week with them going forward — they've got to play good, old fashioned one-on-one, three-on-three and they have to learn how to score and get their own leverage,” Beilein said on WTKA’s “The Michigan Insider” on Friday. “We have to work on it more now. It's the way the game is going.”

“I'm sure every coach across the country sees this trend of not only was Texas Tech going to switch every screen, not just ball screens, and so was Gonzaga,” Beilein said. “You're going to see it. Michigan State has never done that and that's what they did three times to us. They saw that we had to get more guys who could score in isolation, so it's exactly what we'll work at."

Michigan is expected to be a pre-season top 5 team in the nation, so there could be a lot of good things on the horizon.

• Remember the Tennessee Football head coach search a few years ago?  How everyone turned it down?  The same thing is happening to UCLA right now.  Ironically, Tennessee's head coach Rick Barnes is the latest to turn it down. 

• Ben's brother 2022 ATH Alex VanSumeren got offered by Michigan.  

• Sad to hear the Spring game won't be on BTN.  It also sounds like it won't even be a game.   On the positive side, at least it hasn't been cancelled yet!  :-)

Michigan Friday: At Least He Can Play In The Rose Bowl Now

sporting news

Wilton finally pulled the trigger on his transfer yesterday.   He decided to run the Chip Kelly offense at UCLA.   Which at first looks like a round peg in a square hole.   Maybe the time in the NFL has changed Chip and he is going to run more of a pro offense.   If not, it will be interesting to see Wilton run the football a bit.   (If you didn't know and I'm sure a majority of you do, UCLA plays its home games at the Rose Bowl)


That wasn't the only transfer news we got yesterday, since Michigan is now a basketball school I probably should have led with this story.   Ibi Watson announced that he plans to transfer from Michigan.  Ibi got passed up by Jordan Poole at the 2 and Adrian Nunez and Iggy Bazdeikis will be coming in as true freshmen. 


Ibi saw more playing time early in the year but was pretty non-existent in the Big Ten season and in the tournament.  This transfer was expected as Michigan was over the scholarship limit for next year and could be one under if and when Wagner pulls the trigger on the NBA draft which is also expected. 


In fact, Coach B has been rumored to be talking to South Dakota grad transfer Matt Mooney who plays point and shooting guard positions.   Which pretty much guarantees that Mo has told coach he is gonzo as well.   Mo was rated a 2nd round pick before Michigan's NCAA run, it will be interesting to see what the tournament did for his draft status. 

• Sounds like Roy Roundtree is starting to make a difference with the young WR core at Michigan.  Great hire by Jimmy!  I'm sure Roy will be able to turn this role into a WR coaching position in a year or two.  Michigan fans are looking for a huge year from this position group next year. 

• Michigan will look to sign about 3 WR's in the 2019 class.  They just offered SC 2019 wide receiver Jacoby Pinckney and Michigan hosted Connecticut receiver Cornelius Johnson this week.

Visitors this weekend include:

• Greenwood (S.C.) four-star tight end Luke Deal
• Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade Prep. Four-star cornerback/athlete Tecory Couch, four-star receiver John Dunmore, and four-star safety Keontra Smith
• Olentangy (Ohio) Orange five-star defensive end Zach Harrison
• Warwick (R.I.) Bishop Hendricken offensive tackle Xavier Truss
• Atlanta (Ga.) Marist three-star safety Kyle Hamilton
• Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller three-star offensive guard Zach Carpenter
• Paw Paw (Mich.) offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart
• Hagerstown (Md.) St. James four-star receiver John Metchie
• 2020 Frankfort (Ill.) Lincoln-Way East four-star receiver A.J. Henning

 

Michigan Monday: A Watched Phone Never Rings

That is really an old saying.  If we want to update it a bit, how about this?:  A watched site, never updates.


Michigan was expected to have huge news this weekend with up to 5 new commits with the Rebel 3 highlighting the announcements.    Those announcements didn't happen.  


Inside reports are that the Rebel 3 are still expected to transfer to Michigan and that Shea Patterson and Deontay Anderson are pretty much done.   They will announce the transfer when it make sense.   "Moving" Van Jefferson is also still very much expected to become a Wolverine.  


So why not announce this weekend?  Could be many reasons, there has to be transcripts transferred, U of M admissions process, and they even might have to finish off classes at Ole Miss.  


Insiders still remain very confident the Rebel 3 are in the boat, so we should be as well. 


Update:

pic.twitter.com/98X2y0Fg3n

— Shea Patterson (@SheaPatterson_1) December 11, 2017

• OT Jarrett Patterson seemed to have enjoyed the visit (and hopefully the snow) but will still visit instate UCLA this weekend again.  Jarrett won't be signing until February and it seems like a Michigan vs. UCLA battle.   I still give an edge to UCLA.

• 3 star TE Tommy Tremble whose offer list looks more like a strong 4 star will announce his decision on Thursday.  Many think its a Michigan - ND battle for the talented TE. 

• 2018 Athlete Michael Barrett who visited this weekend and was also on "commit watch", didn't commit this weekend but is still expected to.   Some recruiting guys, feel this guys might be one of the best players in the class.

• Michigan Basketball had a very nice come from behind win against UCLA at home on Saturday.   This team is so young they are going to look great for stretches and terrible for others. 

 

• Jimmy lost a coach this weekend as Safeties coach Brian Smith is taking the DC job at Rice.   It's a bit strange to have a specific safeties coach, when you have a DB coach in Mike Zordich who seems to be doing an excellent job.   Michigan will have two assistants spots open when next month the NCAA will add another full time coach to everyone's staff.    I agree with Mgoblog that Michigan needs a WR coach to coach all these young talent receivers on the team.   Maybe one promotion from Jimmy's staff and another outside hire?

• Congratulations to Jack Morris and Alan Trammel for making the HOF! 

Michigan Thursday: More Game Times and A Surprise Grad Transfer Visit

More game times released:

Sept. 9 -- vs. Cincinnati, Noon (ABC/ESPN/ESPN2)
Sept. 23 -- at Purdue, 3:30 p.m. or 4 p.m.
Oct. 14 -- at Indiana, Noon
Oct. 28 -- vs. Rutgers - Homecoming, Noon
Nov. 25 -- vs. Ohio State, Noon (FOX)


Just the way Jimmy likes it, a lot of 12:00 kicks!

Palmbeachpost.com

With 3 recruiting services and many reporters covering the Wolverines, it's hard to be surprised by any development.   This news was a surprise as Miami OT grad transfer Sunny Odogwu visited Michigan this week for two days and left on Wednesday. 


Odogwu is 6-foot-8 and 325-pounds OT who announced he was transferring from Miami less then two weeks ago.  He started 14 games at right tackle over three seasons at Miami.   He is eligible to play right away and will only have 1 year of eligibility left.   He is flying to see Jedd Fisch at UCLA today.


“Sunny and I had a good conversation, and he informed me that he feels his best opportunity to get the most playing time would be at another school,” Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt said in a statement. “Sunny has been a great teammate and leader for this program, and we will miss him


Per NBC:

Odogwu is coming off surgery for a right knee injury late last season. After starting 12 games for the Hurricanes, Odogwu was forced to miss Miami’s bowl game and later was limited in spring practice drills. Odogwu had to undergo surgery for a right knee injury late in the 2015 season as well.


If he is healthy, I think he is a take for Michigan, though it sounds like he is going to have a number of options.   If he was limited in Spring Drills I wonder how healthy he really is?

Wolverine Wednesday: Has More Walk-On News

I know all of you Big House Blog Inmates love some good walk-on news.    The latest is Saline LB  Chris Terech has accepted a preferred walk-on spot with the Wolverines.  Chris has some Ivy League offers and one from Davidson but was offered walk-on spots from Northwestern and Michigan.    Chris has only been playing LB since his junior year but lead the State of Michigan in tackles last year.  “It’s really a dream come true,” Terech said. “I had all these amazing opportunities, but when it came down to it -- I have a world-class Division 1 program 15 minutes away from my house with one of the greatest football coaches in the world. How could I pass that up?”  The rumor that Jimmy wants him to play QB is clearly not true.  

• 5 star LB Caleb Kelly enjoyed his visit to Ann Arbor last weekend:  “I think it was a little bit better than I thought it would be.  I didn’t think that all of the coaches would be laid back.  I thought they’d be kind of stuck up… that Coach Harbaugh would be pretty stuck up and not trying to hang out with his players.  They were real cool guys that you could just hang out with.  Just normal people.”  Caleb has offers from everyone and will make a signing day decision, so getting him back on campus for an official will be important. 

• Don't forget Iowa transfer QB Jake Rudock is expected on campus this week.  

• Elvis Grbac and Lloyd Carr spoke to the team after practice yesterday.

• So UCLA killed it on signing day and grabbed a few Michigan prospects and now they are being investigated for recruiting violations.   Interesting.......................

• John Baxter spoke to the media yesterday and I found a couple interesting things.  He opened the press conference with this:  "There's a lot of good news. We get paid to coach a kids' game. We wear the clothes to work that you'd wear to cut the lawn, and we get paid really good to have a lot of fun so good every day."   ----  Jimmy didn't have John recruit after he was hired, instead he stayed home and implemented his academic system called The Champions Program ----- John is working with kickers on their fundamentals and not even allowing them to kick fields goals, he is having them kick in the nets.    My take:  It sure is refreshing to have someone actually teach special teams and not consider it an after thought.

Michigan Upsets UCLA: Bring on Duke (just kidding!)

Did you hear the doorbell? I think somebody is knocking? Who is it?

It's The Michigan Basketball Program, back from obscurity. Just in time for the holidays!

Yes, John Beilein who is from West Virgina and lead Michigan to it's program high 22 loses last year (doesn't that sound familiar? I know I have heard something like that before) upset #4 ranked UCLA last night in Madison Square Garden 55-52. Michigan stopped a 12 game losing streak to Top 25 opponents and this was the first time since 1997 that they beat a top 5 team.

The Wolverines were lead by game MVP: DeShawn Sims who had 18 points followed by Manny Harris with 15. The real star of the game was Michigan's 1-3-1 defensive zone that confused UCLA and forced them into deep outside shots most of the game. UCLA is full of talent but most of it's players are young freshman due to the big losses they had to the NBA last year. I expect UCLA to be pretty good this year but they clearly didn't play their best game on Thursday night.

So what did Michigan get for this big win? Duke, tonight in the championship game. As well as Duke again at Crisler Arena on December 6th. Wow, thanks Duke twice in two weeks, at least give them a T-shirt or something! :-)

This was a great win for the Wolverines and a true statement for Coach Beilein and staff that their hard work is starting to pay off. This doesn't make the Wolverines a lock for the NCAA Tournament or even a contender in the Big Ten, but it does show that this program is on the right track and will be competitive in every game they play this year. Michigan Basketball is back!

Now all you students and fans make sure you make a B-Line to Crisler Arena this winter to support this team!