The Michigan Insider

Recapping one of the most unorthodox sports weeks of our time, we break down our experience covering the Big Ten Tournament, our reaction to the swath of news and break down our thoughts.

Tim McCormick interviews Michigan assistant Saddi Washington about his four years in Ann Arbor, the development of Austin Davis and Jon Teske, and more. Plus Tim breaks down U-M'swin over Nebraska and loss to Maryland with Sam Webb. Plus discussion of a possible breakthrough in Jon Teske's postgame, Dave DeJulius' career-best performance, and previewing the Big 10 Tournament.

In a news-related episode, we spend the bulk of the episode discussing Wednesday's announcement confirming that redshirt junior center Austin Davis would return to Michigan for his fifth season — becoming the first Wolverine to do so since Jordan Morgan in 2013-14. We break down the rationale behind the decision, how unlikely it seemed, how much Davis has improved, what he could bring in his fifth...

Tim McCormick interviews Michigan center Austin Davis, and breaks down U-M's recent losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State with Sam Webb. Plus discussion of Isaiah Livers' struggles, further assessment of Jon Teske's post game, and previewing this week’s matchups versus Nebraska and Maryland.

In a near polar-opposite of last week's podcast, we break down a rough week for the Michigan basketball team, looking at what went wrong against Ohio State and Wisconsin and what's next for the Wolverines. Guided by listener questions, we first look at two potential starting lineup changes that involve getting Brandon Johns Jr. more minutes, and what the pros and cons of each of them are. We then...

In a basketball episode, we break down Michigan’s rapid rise, and where things stand for the Wolverines looking forward. We begin by breaking down how different things look than a month prior, as we even re-read some of Juwan Howard’s quotes after Michigan’s four-game losing streak, and how they look paired with the Wolverines’ success today. We also discuss which elements Michigan has improved th...

Tim McCormick interviews former Michigan basketball standout Nik Stauskas, and breaks down U-M's recent wins over Rutgers and Purdue with Sam Webb. Plus discussion of Colin Castleton’s strong showing versus the Scarlet Knights and previewing this week’s matchups versus Wisconsin and Ohio State.

In this recruiting focused episode, we break down the stories behind Michigan’s top 10 targets of the 2021 football recruiting class. We begin by looking at two three-star in-state prospects in East Lansing wide receiver Andrel Anthony and Detroit Country Day’s Caleb Tiernan. We explain why both of their frames make them intriguing prospects for the Wolverines, establish top competitors for both p...

Sam Webb interviews the father of 5-star Michigan basketball target Greg Brown about his his recent visit to Michigan, his connection with Juwan Howard, the appealing presence of African Americans in positions of authority throughout Michigan's athletic department, decision criteria, and more. Plus Sam and Tim McCormick discuss Michigan's victories over Northwestern and Indiana, and the abrupt end...

Taking a look at the Michigan basketball team, we break down the Wolverines’ win over Michigan State, and what it means moving forward. First, we look at what some of the keys to Michigan’s win. We dissect improved defense from Franz Wagner, Eli Brooks and the entire team, how far the Wolverines’ bench has come, the positive impact on the stat sheet and beyond that Isaiah Livers’ return to the lin...

Following the news that Colorado head coach Mel Tucker had accepted the job to take over Michigan State’s head-coaching vacancy, we dissect what the hire means for the Spartans and, indirectly, the Wolverines.  First, we look at how good of a hire Tucker is for Michigan State. We break down his background at Michigan State, Ohio State, at big-time programs such as Alabama, Georgia, LSU and in the...

Sam Webb interviews 5-star Michigan basketball target Josh Christopher about his standout career at Lakewood (Calif.) Mayfair, his connection with Juwan Howard, the appealing attributes of his final five schools, his decision criteria, timeline, and more. Plus Sam and Tim McCormick discuss Michigan's loss to Ohio State, the evolving role for Brandon Johns, Isaiah Livers return, the win over Michig...

Reacting to the retirement of Mark Dantonio, we break down how the veteran head coach got to this point, and what the keys to his downfall at Michigan State were. We look at the Spartans’ missed opportunity after making the College Football Playoff and a third Big Ten title in five seasons. We break down whether or not Michigan and Penn State’s return to prominence played a role, and how the last...

In a short, lightning-round format, Shaw and Lorenz break down the key things to know about the Michigan football team’s 2020 recruiting class. We begin by discussing how uneventful not just the February National Signing Day was for Michigan, but really the entire recruiting cycle has been since July, with only two commitments since then. We also break down the Wolverines’ process in scouting and...

Tim McCormick interviews former Michigan great Phil Hubbard about his standout career in Ann Arbor, his time as an Olympian, his transition to NBA in the eighties, his thoughts on this year's team, and more. Plus, Tim and host Sam Webb discuss Zavier Simpson's return from suspension, Brandon John's standout performances versus Nebraska and Rutgers, and preview the upcoming games versus Ohio State...

Continuing with part 2 of our review-preview series, we break down what happened, what’s next and more with the Michigan football team’s defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks, safeties and special teams units. First, we look at Michigan’s defensive line, and weigh the strengths of the Wolverines’ defensive ends vs. some issues with Michigan’s defensive interior and depth. We also look at what t...

Tim McCormick interviews New York Knick forward Ignas Brazdeikis about his transition to the NBA, his standout freshman campaign at Michigan last season, his thoughts on this year's team, and more. Plus, Tim and host Sam Webb discuss the offensive struggles in the latest losses to Penn State and Illinois, possible adjustments, and preview the upcoming games versus Nebraska and Rutgers.

In the first of a two-part series, we break down every offensive position group with a five-point review preview. First, we look at Michigan's quarterbacks, taking a look at the group's 2019 grade, what worked for the group, what didn't work for the group, whether the arrow is pointing up, down or flat at the position heading into 2020 and what our biggest offseason question for the group is. We t...

Tim McCormick interviews college basketball analyst Jay Bilas about the beginning of the Juwan Howard era at Michigan, how impactful he believes Howard will be on the recruiting trail, the battle for supremacy in the Big 10, where the league rates nationally, what college basketball will look like in 10 years, and much more. Plus, Tim and host Sam Webb break down Michigan's recent loss to Iowa, th...

First, we diagnose what Michigan’s panic level should be following its 0-2 week in road games at Minnesota and Iowa. We weigh the explainable setbacks such as how difficult the Wolverines’ schedule has been, the impact of Isaiah Livers’ injury and what probably could have been considered a young roster in transition. We also break down which issues aren’t necessarily as forgivable, such as Michiga...

Tim McCormick interviews Michigan point guard and captain Zavier Simpson about the growth of his game, his evolving leadership style, Juwan Howard, and more. Plus, Tim and host Sam Webb discuss the defensive strategy that has had led to career highs in points for several opponents this year, whether changes to that strategy are forthcoming, Eli Brooks’ struggles, and preview the rematch with Iowa....

The first, most pertinent issue that we address for Michigan’s to-do list is look at its lone assistant coaching vacancy. We recap our discussion from last week on what direction the Wolverines should go to replace departed safeties coach Chris Partridge. We also break down why the apparent retention of outside linebackers coach Anthony Campanile can be beneficial to Michigan, and how it changes w...

In a more news-focused football podcast, we dissect two recent going-ons with the Michigan football team. First, we break down the Wolverines’ loss of safeties coach and special teams coordinator Chris Partridge. We break down what made Partridge such an impressive recruiter, other things he brought to the table as a position coach and what made it compelling for him to leave to become a defensive...

Checking in on the No. 19 Michigan basketball team, we look at some of the key topics surrounding the Wolverines’ recent double-overtime win over Purdue. We look at a potential change to the starting lineup, what the pros and cons are about Michigan’s “three-guard” lineup, why it worked against the Boilermakers and how it should be used moving forward. We also take a look at a growing concern of o...

Tim McCormick interviews former Michigan and current Cleveland Cavaliers head coach John Beilein about his transition to the NBA, the program he built in Ann Arbor, Juwan Howard, and more. Plus, Tim and host Sam Webb break down Sunday's loss to Michigan State, this week's games versus Purdue and Minnesota, and the addition of Top 100 forward Terrance Williams, the Wolverines current standing with...