The Michigan Insider

In this episode, we go bigger picture, looking at five key ways Juwan Howard and the Michigan basketball team were able to deliver a Big Ten championship in year two. We begin by looking at what Howard inherited when he arrived. We discuss John Beilein’s success, but also the uncertainty that comes with a significant coaching change. We reflect on how Howard was able to earn the trust of Michigan’...

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb break down the 76-53 loss to Illinois and preview the back to back match-ups with Michigan State. Senior walk-on C.J. Baird joins the podcast to offer an inside look at how coaches and players are responding to the Illini defeat, the preparation for Michigan State, and the culture that Juwan Howard has built.

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz break down the significance of Will Johnson's commitment and its potential impact on other top targets like Domani Jackson and Tay'shawn Trent. The crew this dissects recent rumblings about Josh Burnham trending to Notre Dame. Later the conversation turns towards new developments in quarterback and offensive line recruiting. The podcast closes with an interv...

In this episode, we look at another impressive week for the No. 2 Michigan men’s basketball team, along with what’s next. We begin by breaking down our biggest takeaways from the Wolverines’ wins over No. 9 Iowa and at Indiana in a span of three days. We look as Michigan’s low turnovers, big man defense, maturity in handling a two-day turnaround and more. We then debate who is Michigan’s best play...

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss Michigan's impressive victory over Ohio State, Hunter Dickinson's dominant effort versus the Buckeyes, and the impact play of Chaundee Brown and Mike Smith. Bill Raftery joins the podcast to shares his thoughts on Juwan Howard, how Michigan stacks up with Baylor and Gonzaga, his take on the all time greats, and more. The podcast closes with Tim and Sam also debat...

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz break down how the latest coaching staff changes unfolded, then discuss the recruiting impact of Brian Jean-Mary's departure with a specific focus on Josh Burnham. Then attention turns to Ron Bellamy's move to safeties coach and its impact on Dillon Tatum and Michigan's chances with elite safety prospect Jacoby Mathews, Brice shares the latest on Michigan's...

In a loaded basketball episode, we look at both the big-picture and small-picture significance of the No. 3 Michigan men’s basketball team’s win at No. 4 Ohio State. We begin by breaking down what impressed us most about the game, along with which takeaway is most meaningful for Michigan moving forward. In the discussion, we mention what we saw from Chaundee Brown Jr., Michigan’s defense in the se...

In this episode, we break down five major storylines we're watching ahead of Michigan beginning spring practices. We begin at an obvious spot, breaking down the Wolverines' quarterback battle. We look at the impact of Joe Milton entering the transfer portal, J.J. McCarthy's potential as a true freshman QB candidate and what we want to see from the group in the spring. We then turn to the rest of M...

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss Michigan's victory over Wisconsin, Isaiah Livers elevating his game and playing like a first round draft pick, Hunter Dickinson dominance on the glass, and Michigan's upcoming matchups with Rutgers and Ohio State. Then Tim and Sam catch up with the great Cazzie Russell to reflect upon his Michigan and NBA careers.

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz break down Michigan's standing in the recruitment of West Bloomfield (Mich.) DB/ATH Dillon Tatum. The crew also highlights Michigan's ties to Portland (Ore.) Westview WR Darrius Clemons, Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep cornerback Benjamin Morrison. Later the discussion turns to 2023 & 2024 in-state recruiting, with a focus on quarterbacks Dante Moore and C.J...

In this episode, we discuss the No. 3 Michigan men's basketball team's return to game action, which included a massive comeback win at Wisconsin in the Wolverines' first game in 23 days. We begin by looking at the micro-level of the game itself. He hone in on Isaiah Livers' senior surge, Hunter Dickinson's rebounding dominance, Michigan's stingy defense and how the Wolverines were able to come bac...

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss three messages Juwan Howard gave his team during the pause and Ohio State's rise in the Big Ten ranks during that period. Freshman forward Terrance Williams joins the podcast to reflect upon how the team handled the pause, his personal routine during that period, practices coming off the pause, and a look ahead to upcoming opponents. Tim and Sam close things out...

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz break down the commitments of Tennessee prospects Kody Jones and Taylor Groves, and discuss Michigan's growing presence in the Volunteer State. The Wolverines pursuit of the nation's no. 1 defensive tackle Walter Nolen is highlighted. Nolen's coach Marlon Walls shares insight on the talented youngster's game and potential. The crew also covers Michigan's ren...

We take a look at Michigan's revised and (tentatively) finalized 2021 football schedule, then field a number of questions from listeners about the Wolverines' football team. We open with a look at Michigan's schedule. We parse through the changes, look at the Wolverines' schedule as a whole and discuss our thoughts on Michigan's slate. Next, we quickly refresh out conversation on Michigan's needed...

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz explain why Shaun Nua's retention was the key to Michigan closing the 2021 recruiting with commitments from defensive tackles Rayshaun Benny, Ikechukwu Iwunnah, and George Rooks. Then the crew looks ahead to 2022 in-state recruiting, focusing on Will Johnson, Tayshawn Trent, Josh Burnham, and Myles Rowser, Then the crew details Michigan's rise with out-of-st...

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss Michigan's expected return from its in athletic activities, then are joined by the great Dick Vitale for an in-depth interview covering his storied career in coaching and broadcasting. Vitale reflects upon the greatest players he has seen, the great Michigan players he has seen, discusses how this year's Wolverines stack up with the nation's best teams, and more....

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb discuss Michigan's pause in athletic activities and the advantages and disadvantages of the downtime. The duo then breaks down Michigan's victory over Purdue, the tremendous defensive showing in that game, the significance of Franz Wagner's visible frustration that night, and how the Big 10 stacks up at this point. The podcast finishes with a lengthy chat with Michigan a...

In this episode, we look at two final coaching changes and the on-field impact they could have for the Wolverines in 2021. First, we look at new wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy's hiring beyond simply the obvious recruiting perks. We discuss his qualifications, why heading a high-school football team is an interesting task and perspective to bring to Michigan's staff and what about Bellamy should...

In this episode, we look at the Michigan basketball team, which is sitting at 13-1 overall this season but is suddenly being asked to stop practicing and playing for two weeks as the Michigan Athletic department deals with an outbreak of a COVID-19 variant. Among the topics we discuss include: Our initial reaction to the two-week pause, how adversely that can affect the Wolverines, what impressed...

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz explain why new roles for Ron Bellamy and Sherrone Moore will give Jim Harbaugh arguably the strongest recruiting staff of his tenure. The crew breaks down the immediate recruiting impact for both coaches, including how five-star CB Will Johnson is affected. Later the trio discusses in-state targets poised to rise up the board, a new defensive line target, a...

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz explain why Mike Hart, Mo Linguist, & Brian Jean-Mary will give Michigan a major recruiting boost and how the program's recruiting philosophy might change. The crew goes in-depth on Linguist's fast connection with five-star Will Johnson and the significance of Jourdan Lewis' endorsement. Next on the agenda was a discussion of how Shaun Nua's recruiting a...

In this episode, we assess the hires and coaching decisions made by the Wolverines, looking at the strengths and questions of the new assistants and some big-picture talk. We begin by discussing Michigan's decision to hire former star running back Mike Hart away from Indiana, which we both claim to be the home-run hire of the offseason. We discuss why Hart offers so much more than being a former s...

Tim McCormick and Sam Webb break down Michigan's bounce-back victory over Maryland, how Michigan is capitalizing on team's going all out to take Hunter Dickinson away, why Mike Smith is so key to Michigan's success, the importance of protecting Eli Brooks, and preview the upcoming match up with Purdue. Tim and Sam also have an in-depth discussion with Michigan strength & conditioning coach Jon...

In this episode, we offer our initial thoughts to Michigan's new defensive coordinator and react to the Wolverines' men's basketball team suffering their first loss of the season. We open with a brief discussion on Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach Mike Macdonald, who was named Michigan's new defensive coordinator on Sunday. We look at Macdonald's career trajectory, lack of experience, expected e...

Sam Webb, Brice Marich and Steve Lorenz are joined by The Michigan Insider's Josh Newkirk for a recap of the Pylon All American. Newkirk highlights the performances of JJ McCarthy, Cristian Dixon, and Junior Colson. Then his attention turn to recruiting rumblings in top targets Domani Jackson, Tyler Morris, and Kaleb Brown... all of whom were at the event. Later Sam, Brice, and Steve address the r...