The Michigan Insider
The Michigan Insider is combining all three of its podcasts, The Wolverine247 podcast, The Michigan Recruiting Insider, and the Michigan Basketball Insider into one mega-podcast. All your Michigan podcast needs in one place.
Michigan football 2026 position preview: Running back
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz preview what to expect in the 2026 season from Michigan's running back room. The episode is the second in 11 episodes looking at the Wolverines at each position group.
They open with a look at the room's strengths, as they examine what Jordan Marshall, Savion Hiter and Bryson Kuzdzal do well as a running back trio. They then discuss the central question of the room, which for both of them centers around just how good Hiter can be as a true freshman.
In the second half of the episode...
Michigan football 2026 position preview: Quarterback
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz preview the Michigan football team's quarterback room for the 2026 season. The episode is part of their 11-part position preview series, looking at the Wolverines' season ahead.
They open with a discussion about the strengths that Bryce Underwood and the rest of the room bring, as well as the biggest question marks the room faces this season. In the second half of the episode, they look at an X-factor player for the room, discuss the group's floor and ceiling and how they will measure success from the room in 2026.
Michigan football's most important players, position battles to watch in fall camp
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down their annual ranking of Michigan football's most important players for the upcoming season, then discuss the biggest position battles and potential breakouts in fall camp.
They open with a look back at their annual rankings of the Wolverines' most important players. They discuss the top group being solidified, which players may have been ranked too low, and which players outside the top 25 could end up being more important than expected.
In the second half of the episode, they discuss which position battles they'll be watching...
Michigan football's most impactful newcomers for 2026: Top transfers, freshmen to know ahead of fall camp
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the top newcomers for Michigan football ahead of the 2026 season, discussing the Wolverines’ key transfers and early-impact freshmen.
They open with a look at Michigan's transfer portal class, which includes more than half a dozen projected starters for the Wolverines this fall. They discuss the top-line guys, such as John Henry Daley and JJ Buchanan, underrated impact players like Chris Bracy, Jonah Lea'ea and Trey Butkowski, and sleeper adds like Jaime Ffrench.
In the second half of the episode, they try to assess where the fre...
Takeaways from Michigan, Kyle Whittingham's time at Big Ten Media Days
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Alejandro Zuniga break down their takeaways from covering Michigan at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.
They open with a look at Kyle Whittingham’s press conference appearances. They discuss their overall impressions, Michigan’s revamped approach to strength and conditioning, Bryce Underwood, Whittingham’s approach to the rivalry and his season expectations.
In the second half of the episode, they discuss Whittingham’s depth chart breakdown, and what the players had to say while speaking in Chicago.
Warde Manuel to step down as Michigan Athletic Director: What happened, what is Manuel's legacy, what's next for U-M athletics?
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Alejandro Zuniga break down the news that Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel will step down at the end of the calendar year after more than a decade leading the University's athletic department.
They open with a look at the timing of the news, which came after a week of outside speculation that Michigan's investigation into the athletic department's culture had found Manuel culpable. They discuss Michigan releasing an abbreviated outline of the findings, and why it's time for Manuel to step down, regardless of the results of this specific investigation.
<...EXCLUSIVE: Warde Manuel Addresses his future at Michigan
In an exclusive interview with The Michigan Insider, Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel sits down with Sam Webb to discuss the latest surrounding all of the happenings around Ann Arbor including questions on his own future with the program.
Other topics covered include his performance as athletic director and Dusty May's recent departure for the NBA.
Wolverines score big recruiting win over Ohio State and discussing what's next
On this week's episode, Sam and Brice discuss Michigan's recent big recruiting win for the Wolverines as they landed four-star defensive back Monsanna Torbert over Ohio State and Indiana among others.
They also discuss what's next for the Wolverines on the recruiting trail with summer official visit season now in the rear view mirror.
Reaction: Dusty May leaves Michigan for NBA, Mike Boynton likely named interim head coach
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz discuss the bombshell news that Michigan head basketball coach Dusty May would be departing for a head-coaching job with the Dallas Mavericks, and that assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. would likely be named the interim head coach.
They open with a discussion about May's departure. They discuss the shock level, why it happened, the role Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel played in it, what it says about college basketball and more.
In the second half of the episode, they look at Michigan's likely decision to promote Boynton...
Recapping official visits + Joshua Dobson visit preview
In the newest edition of the Michigan Recruiting Insider podcast, Steve and Brice discuss Michigan's most recent official visitors in four-star defensive lineman Seth Tillman and three-star offensive lineman Lincoln Mageo (mun-gow). Where do the Wolverines stand in those races coming out of the weekend?
Attention then turns to five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson, who will officiallly visit campus this weekend. The Wolverines are battling Texas A&M and Auburn among others for his commitment; can the Wolverines seize the lead in an important race at a position of need?
The episode concludes with a few...
Will Elliot Cadeau & Trey McKenney be nation's best backcourt?; Is Cade Cunningham NBA MVP?
(Receorded 5/8/26) On the latest episode of Steady Droppin Dimes, Sam Webb and Daniel Horton look ahead to the next college basketball season now and discuss just how good Trey McKenney and Elliot Cadeau will be. They also recap the latest NBA playoff action and weigh in on whether Cade Cunningham is the NBA's MVP.
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Wolverine247 spring football takeaways, what we learned about Michigan's offense
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down what they learned, and what they still want to know about each position group on Michigan's offense following spring practices.
They open with a discussion about the Wolverines’ quarterback room. They discuss Tommy Carr’s big spring, what that means for Carr and Michigan and how much stock to put into a strong first impression. They also look at Bryce Underwood’s spring, what Michigan is doing to help him develop and what they learned about him this spring. They continue with a look at the running back r...
Wolverines add four-star commitment; Top targets are trending their way
In the latest edition of the Michigan Recruiting Insider, Sam, Steve and Brice discuss the major verbal commitment of in-state Top100 offensive lineman Jakari Lipsey. Discussion includes the impact of Lipsey's commitment from a recruiting standpoint and what kind of skills he could eventually bring to the table.
Discussion then shifts to a trio of top targets. Michigan is making a run at Detroit Catholic Central four-star Gideon Gash. We talk about where that recruitment lies and the work Michigan has to do. They appear to be in better shape with two other top targets in four-star...
Spring Game recap; Wolverines trending for trench targets
On this edition of the Michigan Recruiting Insider, Brice and Steve start with discussion on Kalamazoo (MI) four-star offensive tackle Jakari Lipsey. Lipsey is a top target for Wolverines' offensive line coach Jim Harding.
Our second segment discusses Fort Mill (SC) three-star defensive end Alex Johnson, who has burst onto the scene in the last couple of weeks and become a top target for the staff. Can the Wolverines go into SEC country and pull one out?
The episode concludes with an extended discussion on notable visitors' for the staff's spring game/practice last Saturday...
TMI Recap: Michigan Spring Game 2026
The first Michigan Spring Game under Kyle Whittingham ended with a 7-6 win for the Maize team over the Blue team. Sam Webb and Josh Newkirk of The Michigan Insider provided a postgame analysis from the Big House. They began by reviewing Bryce Underwood’s performance; the sophomore quarterback completed 3 of 9 passes for 22 yards during the first-quarter thud period. Although his showing was mixed, Coach Whittingham noted it did not reflect Underwood’s progress throughout the spring. The discussion then shifted to freshman quarterback Tommy Carr, who impressed with his decision-making and improvisational skills, leading the team in rushing. Five...
QB Recruiting Dominoes Falling, Spring Visit Intel
On this week’s edition of The Michigan Recruiting Insider, Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich discussed the recent commitment of Salt Lake City (West) dual-threat quarterback Kamden Laopati. Lopati, a former Illinois commit, chose Michigan over Notre Dame and several other programs. The team analyzed his fit within Michigan's offensive strategy and noted the possibility of Michigan taking two quarterbacks in this class, with Las Vegas (Nev.) Arbor View’s Thaddeus Thatcher as a strong candidate. The discussion then shifted to receiver recruiting, highlighting Thatcher's Arbor View teammate, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound pass catcher, who has become a top...
Michigan wins the National Championship! Downs UConn 69-63
Michigan secured its second basketball national championship with a 69-63 victory over Connecticut at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Sam Webb and Josh Newkirk of The Michigan Insider recapped the Wolverines' season-capping performance, highlighting Elliot Cadeau's leadership, Yaxel Lendeborg's resilience, Trey McKenny's decisive shot, and the cohesive team assembled by Dusty May, which once again demonstrated its ability to win in different ways.
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Michigan vs UCONN National Championship Preview (Part 2)
In the latest episode of The Michigan Basketball Insider, Sam Webb and Tim McCormick preview the national championship game between Michigan and Connecticut. Tim begins by highlighting Michigan’s dominant interior defense and improved three-point shooting in its win over Arizona. He praises Aday Mara for significantly raising his draft stock, potentially into the lottery, and credits Elliot Cadeau’s defense as a key factor in the victory. Tim also notes Trey McKenney’s shooting has put the freshman on NBA draft boards. The discussion then shifts to the upcoming matchup with UConn, focusing on Danny Hurley's tactical strengths, Tarris...
Michigan vs UCONN National Championship Preview (Part 1)
In the latest episode of Steady Droppin Dimes, Sam Webb and Daniel Horton provide a preview of the national championship game between Michigan and Connecticut. The episode opens with a recap of UCONN’s Final Four win over Illinois, highlighting the Huskies’ defensive strength and the Illini’s struggles. The discussion then shifts to Michigan's decisive victory over Arizona, focusing on Michigan's defense, Aday Mara’s two-way impact, Elliot Cadeau’s leadership, and Trey McKenney’s scoring off the bench. The hosts also address Yaxel Lendeborg’s knee and ankle injuries, with Daniel outlining the expected treatment plan and its potential...
Michigan pummels Arizona in Final Four; Advances to National Championship
Michigan defeated Arizona 91-73, led by Aday Mara's dominant performance, who posted 26 points and nine rebounds. After the game, The Michigan Insider's Sam Webb and Josh Newkirk dissected the beatdown, emphasizing Michigan's dominance both inside and outside the arc, without Yaxel Lendeborg for much of the game due to injury. Its shooting prowess proved a major separator, as the Wolverines hit 12 threes to Arizona's six. Furthermore, Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney served as the perimeter engines, with Cadeau recording 10 assists and McKenney scoring 16 points off the bench on 6/9 shooting and 4/6 from three. Despite Lendeborg's injury, Michigan is now favored...
Michigan vs Arizona Final 4 preview - Horton predicts U-M to win it all!
In the latest episode of Steady Droppin Dimes, Sam Webb and Daniel Horton preview Michigan's upcoming matchup with Arizona. Daniel predicts Michigan will win by double digits, pointing out their strong execution, physical play, and Yaxel Lendeborg's matchup advantage. He also notes that Arizona's offense can be predictable, which gives Michigan a chance to take advantage on defense. Daniel and Sam agree that Elliot Cadeau's defense will be key, and they see Trey McKenney as a potential difference-maker on offense. Horton believes Michigan's talent and execution could take them all the way to a national championship.
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Michigan heading to the Final 4; Will U-M vs Arizona winner win title?
In the latest episode of The Michigan Basketball Insider, Sam Webb and Tim McCormick discuss Michigan's journey to the Final Four, highlighting the team's dominant victory over Tennessee, and looking ahead to Saturday night’s matchup with Arizona. Tim praises Yaxel Lendeborg’s development into a versatile, clutch player, comparing him to past greats, and labeling him “the best two-way player in Michigan basketball history.” The conversation then turns to the matchup with the Wildcats, where they emphasize the importance of Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr avoiding early fouls to remain effective inside. Tim predicts a Michigan win, citing t...
Michigan football spring check-in: Top position battles, players on the rise to watch
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz check in on the Michigan football team after a handful of spring practices, assessing where the Wolverines stand in key areas such as position battles, breakout players and more.
They open with a look at the general first impressions — both in press conferences and behind the scenes — about spring practices under the Wolverines’ new coaching regime. They discuss the organization and experience being higher than in past years, as well as the blend of coaches and players.Â
They next look at key position battles they’re watching closely th...
Michigan Smokes Tennessee to reach Final Four
Following Michigan's decisive 95-62 victory over Tennessee to reach the Final Four, The Michigan Insider's Josh Newkirk and Samuel Webb broke down the Wolverines' dominant performance. They highlighted Michigan's strong defense, which limited the Volunteers to 24% shooting in the first half and fueled a 21-0 run. They also discussed Yaxel Lendeborg's impressive play, advocating for his recognition as the NCAA tournament's top player and countering Wally Sczerbiak's claim that Lendeborg is merely a good player on a great team. The conversation then turned to Elliot Cadeau's readiness to compete against elite point guards, as well as notable bench contributions...
Elite Eight Preview - Michigan vs Tennessee
In a special Sunday morning episode of Steady Droppin Dimes, Sam Webb and Daniel Horton preview Michigan's Elite Eight matchup against Tennessee. The conversation begins by recapping the Wolverines' Sweet 16 win over Alabama and their ability to adapt to different styles of play. They highlighted Michigan's second-half defensive dominance and Yaxel Lendeborg's continued assertiveness offensively. The discussion then turns to Tennessee, where the Vols' size and offensive rebounding prowess are profiled. Specific attention is given to the Vols' primary offensive weapons, point guard Ja'kobi Gillespie, and star freshman forward Nate Ament. Michigan's bench, led by Roddy Gayle Jr. and...
Michigan Wolverines wipe out Alabama to reach the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight
Michigan won its Sweet 16 matchup against Alabama 90-77 on Friday night, advancing to the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight. The Michigan Insider's Sam Webb, Josh Newkirk, and Alejandro Zuniga provided a live breakdown of the game from Chicago. They highlighted Yaxel Lendeborg's consistent offensive aggression and the Wolverines' dominant second-half defense, which held Alabama to just 28 points after the Crimson Tide had scored 49 in the first half. Key defensive adjustments, such as more physical play against ball screens and improved communication on switches, played a significant role in the turnaround. The bench contributions from Trey McKenney and Roddy Gayle were...
Michigan dunks Saint Louis to secure a spot in the Sweet 16
Michigan secured a 95-72 victory over Saint Louis in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16. Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg led the team with 25 points, while Aday Mara made a substantial impact by recording 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four of the Wolverines' nine blocks. Elliot Cadeau contributed 12 points, eight assists, and only two turnovers. Michigan's transition offense proved decisive, as evidenced by 20 team assists, and the defense was particularly effective against Billikens' standout Robbie Avila, who was limited to nine points on 3-for-13 shooting. Sam Webb, Josh Newkirk, and...
Michigan wins + NCAA Tournament breakdown
In the latest episode of The Michigan Basketball Insider, Sam Webb and Tim McCormick review Michigan's 101-80 NCAA Tournament victory over Howard and preview the Wolverines’ upcoming game against Saint Louis. They commend Morez Johnson and Aday Mara for their strong performances and discuss Dusty May’s effective in-game adjustments, such as implementing full-court pressure in the second half. The hosts also address Yaxel Lendeborg’s limited shot attempts and consider strategies to encourage greater offensive aggression. The episode concludes with an analysis of the Saint Louis Billikens, insights from Tim’s experience broadcasting their games, a discussion of tourname...
Michigan downs Howard 101-80 in NCAA Tournament opener; Keys for round two
Sam Webb, Josh Newkirk, and Alejandro Zuniga analyze Michigan's 101-80 victory over Howard, highlighting standout performances by Morez Johnson Jr., who shot 8-for-8, and Aday Mara. They also commend Roddy Gayle for contributing 14 points off the bench. Michigan's offense, which scored 1.39 points per possession in the first half, improved in the second half, with a focus on interior scoring. The discussion addresses Yaxel Lendeborg's recent low usage, potential causes, his health, and strategies the coaching staff may use to encourage greater offensive aggression. They note Trey McKenney's developing midrange skills and conclude by emphasizing the importance of matching the...
Wolverine247 — Recapping Michigan at the Big Ten Tournament, NCAA Tournament preview
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Alejandro Zuniga recap the Michigan men’s basketball team’s 2-1 showing in the Big Ten Tournament, and look ahead to the Wolverines’ draw in the NCAA Tournament.
They open by looking at what they learned about Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. They discuss the Wolverines’ offensive struggles, particularly since LJ Cason went down with a torn ACL, as well as Michigan’s ability to win two games with its defense in the tournament. They also look at what went wrong against Purdue in the championship game, and whether th...
Wolverine247 — Key storylines we're watching as Michigan football begins spring practices
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Steve Lorenz break down the biggest storylines they’re watching ahead of Michigan football beginning spring practices Tuesday.
They open with a look at the offense, discussing the revamped wide receiver room, the high-potential offensive line, potential star freshman Savion Hiter, the development of rising sophomore Bryce Underwood and more.
In the second half of the episode, they discuss the biggest question marks on Michigan’s defense, how some of the new transfers fit in, what a new defensive scheme might mean for roles on defense, the Wolverines’ effort to imp...
Jon Rothstein reacts to & picks every game in 2026 NCAA Tournament Bracket!
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Jon Rothstein breaks down his bracket.
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Wolverine247 — Recapping Michigan basketball's historic regular season, previewing Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments
In this episode, Zach Shaw and Alejandro Zuniga break down the Michigan men's basketball team's record-setting regular season, which included a program record for wins, a Big Ten record for conference wins and the best road record in the Wolverines' history. They also look ahead to the postseason for Michigan.
They open with a reflection on Michigan's 29-2 start, as they discuss the most impressive parts of the Wolverines' season so far. They then pick out games that were particularly emblematic of Michigan's dominance, and look at which players exceeded expectations the most.
In the se...
Michigan Beats MSU to finish Big Ten regular season 19-1
Michigan punctuated its Big Ten regular season championship with a 90-80 win over no. 8 Michigan State, finishing with a 19-1 conference record. Sam Webb and Josh Newkirk of The Michigan Insider analyzed the victory, highlighting Yaxel Lendeborg's 27-point performance, which may have solidified his case for conference player of the year. They also addressed the latest groin kick by Spartan point guard Jeremy Fears and Tom Izzo's apparent approval of it. The discussion shifted back to Michigan, highlighting significant contributions from its bench, with Roddy Gayle Jr. and Trey McKenney adding 15 and 12 points, respectively. The conversation emphasized the team's...
Is Yaxel Lendeborg the CLEAR player of the year in the Big 10?
On this week's edition of Steady Droppin' Dimes with Sam Webb and Daniel Horton, the focus is on how Michigan basketball will adapt after the injury to LJ Cason, after seeing the Wolverines in the first contest without him, their 71-68 victory at Iowa. They also get into the Big Ten player of the year debate and discuss whether Yaxel Lendeborg will be the clear-cut winner.
If you have ground transportation needs, ride like the Michigan Football team does, then ride with Golden Limo. Whether riding in southeast Michigan, anywhere the country, or even abroad, with their...
A full breakdown of some Michigan spring visitors and their basketball visitors list against Michigan State
In today's episode, the TMI crew begins discussion by talking more about Michigan's new general manager in Dave Peloquin along with a new hire in former USC director of recruiting strategy Skyler Phan.
Next up is talk on a handful of important spring visitors that have been set in four-star ATH/WR Charles Davis, LB Ethan Hauser, LB Brayden Watson and RB Jayshon Gibson.
This episode concludes with an extended discussion on Michigan's Big Ten finale against Michigan State on Sunday and how loaded the visitors' list is expected to be. Top targets like King...
Michigan Wolverines are Big 10 champs!; How does LJ Cason's loss impact national title hopes?
In the latest episode of The Michigan Basketball Insider, Sam Webb and Tim McCormick analyze Michigan's decisive win over Illinois to win the Big 10 championship and discuss what the loss of LJ Cason means to the Wolverines pursuit of the national crown. Despite the injury, they remain optimistic about Michigan's national championship prospects, citing the team's resilience and coaching. They also touch on the potential NBA draft prospects of Michigan's big men.
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Michigan vs Illinois Postgame Recap: UM earns outright Big Ten Championship in 84-70 win over Illini
Sam Webb, Josh Newkirk, and Alejandro Zuniga live from Champaign-Urbana, provided analysis of Michigan's 84-70 win over No. 10 Illinois at State Farm Arena, securing the Wolverines' first outright Big Ten title since 2014. The TMI crew highlighted key performances, including Morez Johnson’s double-double in his return to Illinois. They also praised Yaxel Lendeborg for his strong two-way play and defensive impact. The discussion covered Aday Mara’s dominant second half, Trey McKenney’s timely three-pointers, and Elliot Cadeu’s floor-generalship. Michigan’s defensive efforts limited Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic, while the team controlled the boards. Michigan, the top seed for t...
Michigan makes adjustments post-Duke; Michigan / Illinois preview
A special Friday morning edition of Steady Droppin' Dimes, Sam Webb and Daniel Horton discussed Michigan's loss to Duke, noting the physicality of the game and the challenges Duke posed with their size and athleticism. Horton emphasized the importance of guard play and the need for Michigan's guards, highlighting the reasons for their struggles versus the Blue Devils, and emphasizing alternate ways they might be effective if they struggle shooting the basketball in future games. Sam and Daniel then previewed Friday night’s matchup with Illinois, focusing on the Illini’s offensive efficiency and the need for Michigan to defe...
Discussing Midwest recruiting and Dave Peloquin with Allen Trieu and talk on the 2027 quarterback board
On today's episode of the Michigan Recruiting Insider, the great Allen Trieu joins the show to break down a ton of topics related to Michigan recruiting, particularly in the Midwest. We break down more than ten 2027 prospects while discussing some early 2028 targets and even setting the in-state stage for the 2029 and 2030 (!!) classes.
Allen also helps us break down the hiring of Dave Peloquin as Michigan's new general manager. We talk about his experience at Notre Dame and why his previous experience in recruiting and the agent side of things is a perfect fit for today's college football...