Braves' Top 10 Problems

Some day I'll write a post called Roddy and Sean.  For now this list of Top 10 Atlanta Braves problems will have to do.

1. Brian Snitker is on his last legs.  This is one of those truths that shouldn't have to be repeated.  Forums on the web are merciless.
2. Alex Anthopoulos has to change or leave, the latter not necessarily voluntarily.  Change has to happen.
3. Chris Sale won the Cy Young, bowed-out of the playoffs, and has not been good.  Tantrums on the mound are not a good look.
4. Sean Murphy is not capable of changing.  .200 and 200 strikeouts is not going to do it, regardless of the number of home runs.
5. Kelenic isn't even hitting .150.  That is not going to change (much if at all) either.
6. Olsen will hit some home runs but a .200 batting average is a problem.
7. The bullpen needs an overhaul and money.
8. No to journeymen outfielders like Eli White, De La Cruz, Fairchild, Verdugo and more is not going to work.
9.  Shortstop is an issue.  Can't blame Arcia because he's hitting as well or better than the rest of the team.
10. Albies and many of the Braves are undisciplined hitters.  They strike out way too often.
11. Bonus.  How dumb do you have to be to sign Jurickson Profar to a big contract.

Bottom 7th Apple TV and at least no Brandon Gaudin.  It is a beautiful HD picture.  1-16 Stuart Fairchild.  That is a .063 batting average.  The Braves are 5-13 W-L and the Twins are 7-12.  Alex Verdugo on base percentage 26%; lots and lots of tatoos.

I had never seen that.  Nate Allen's arm strength.  He rolled it to first and it worked.  5'6" 166 lbs is hard to forget.

De Los Santos.  The names are hard to distinguish. 

But it is relaxing.  Riley, Ozuna, Olsen due up in the bottom of the 8th.  Can the Braves score three runs?  Therein lies the problem.  You can't lead off and hit a 3-run homer.  Will the Braves get two on then hit a home run?  There is almost a zero chance of that.

Forget all the other chatter.  The only way to know is to watch.  Austin Riley is good hitter; 2-2 lots of fouls and tough out.  That's 8 strikeouts for the team.  Ozuna is back.  That makes sense, four days for a doctor's appointment.  And Aaron Bummer is done grieving.

Who are announcers?  Dontrelle Willis (familiar name).  Absolutely right, don't walk Braves.  Now, I wrote this earlier.  Albies can go after bad pitches.  Olsen hit lumbering Ozuna to third.  Twins could have tagged him.  Murphy; G Jax is not very good and if the Twins lose it is on the manager.  Griffin Jax.  Unbelievable.  They are giving the game away.

Harris had a nice hit earlier.  He is capable.

Sheer luck.

"You mentioned Griffin Jax, this is the second..."

 

The Portal, Dusty May, and More

"Jared Kelenic and the bottom part of the order..."  Now that is an understatement.  But the Braves are losing and I am happy.

I knew he was a bonus baby with lots of potential but I thought he had a giant contract.  $2.3 million is about right for a .175-hitting corner outfielder.  That's the going rate for a body these days.

Dusty May is a pig.  Didn't want to put that in a title.  Of course Harbaugh still reigns.  During the tough times and particularly at turnover time you could see he wasn't all smiles.  Now he knows he will probably have a good team so he is arrogant too.  He spilled the beans on Tre Donaldson--new guy in, Tre out.

In law there's this really simple principle that he or she or they who caused is it liable.  I have so little interest in the new team it isn't even funny.   

North Carolina is a good school and top-5 in terms of being a blueblood basketball team.  Duke notwithstanding there is only one school and team in my mind in college basketball that is more perfect.  UCLA is a great university with even better surroundings and climate.  They're simply rentals.  They are also past discontents who are likely to revert.  If they accomplish what they want on the court (e.g., in Danny Wolf's mind) it is one year only.

Funny how Michigan fans, students, alumni, and bankers never mention that Aday Mara fits the whole profile.  Sure, they are only rumors.

Chris Sale is going to wind up in a full body cast one day.  Gosh, 162 games you just cannot argue about it.  They'll win enough games to support the rest of the enterprise.  And most other franchises are worse.  I'm no longer a fan, I'm just a troll.  The news is usually about salaries or injuries and I don't need it.

In between May and Michigan hired Yaxel Lendeborg.  Actually, I don't know how much they are paying him given the season is half a year away and he is "80%" going pro.  Everyone deserves second (or more) chances but he missed half his high school career due to academics.  He's another multi transfer/loser.

Dusty May learned from the best-then-gone.  Make it about the NFL.

Now we all know what that means in college basketball--do it like Bruce Pearl and Kelvin Sampson, two of the four Final Four coaches. 

I have already thought about and put it down on paper (a computer screen).  I have no desire to follow Bryce Underwood or watch him.  Ditto Mikey Keeene who isn't even playing.  Sherrone Moore was lucky last year and it is going to be long, slow, and boring manball against a weak schedule.

I was reading, 'Will your interest wane with the new landscape?' You bet it will.

Checks boxscore because the game is too boring to pay attention to.  Sean Murphy 2/2 strikeouts.  The other day I looked it up; he had 11 at bats and 5 strikeouts.  He makes $15 million.

Everyone's doing it is never an excuse, Dusty May.

My God, the Atlanta Braves Tampa Rays game was a no hitter through five and I didn't even know.  That is how dull is that.  Brandon Gaudin is the absolute worst big-company homer announcer ever.  Sometimes there is a bit of a travelogue when they're on the road.  At least they lost and Murphy 0/4 with two strikeouts.  Thankfully I know what I want.

They're all just journeymen with a few ridiculously-priced human beings in between.  There is no way anyone can predict baseball skill and performance that far into the future or even in a few years.  For college athletes it is just one year.  The games themselves can be great or even worthwhile if there is a commercial-free video available the next day; they are more or less void of the prima donnas and backstories that recirculate.  At some point there will be a fallout; someone is going to get hurt and to a large extent it probably won't be Michigan mostly because of market share.  Overall, the university is not atop academic rankings as it once was.  Michigan may be in the top-20 or a lot higher, but, and there is no question, the "athletics product" will still diminish for the rest of us.

It is just a bad habit.  There are better things to do than Googling michigan basketball news.  Is this news?  It sticks in my brain.  A man was killed and Kyren Lacy got caught.  At least it wasn't with a gun during a robbery, an optimist would say.  The arrest and buffoon lawyer and everything was the beginning of this year.  That was in Louisiana.  Now in Houston he fires a gun, drives away in a chase and shoots himself.  There appeared to be enough evidence to get on with it but the next day he was going to testify to a grand jury.  Why?

I did the habit-forming searches.  Twenty-four plus years old.  Transfer.  Perhaps 6th best receiver and multiply that by, say 20, and I don't know how many teams, that is the NFL draft.  Then Reddit pops up; I "learned" some not mainstream gossip about Aday Mara there which certainly makes sense.  There are people who really follow these things and have a need to show it.  Entitlement is more than a claimed first hand observation by someone.  Drug busts, traffic infractions, and much, much worse from high school on is a known fact for star athletes.  Those who follow say poor and 100% football player.  That does not mean prospect it means breadwinner, just ask the agent and the lawyer, and probably the family and parents too.  In the end he showed some potential as a transfer in the deep South with a shattered, short career and earnings that will never materialize.  That is a theory that makes sense to me.

 

 

 

 

Tre Donaldson Unpacked

See posts below.  It has been a jolt.

In this particular incident--and let me be clear, it is just a news blip and unfortunately it is not about a human being--there are two overriding factors.  

One, Donaldson is a jock.  He had football offers in the 2022 recruiting class from the biggest and best teams, Alabama, Penn State, etc.  In March, 2022 he won the Florida state high school championship in his school's class.  It is not obvious why he stopped football, but the history shows a trend of bolting when the competition gets too tough.  More accurately, he doesn't have so he isn't going to.  Basketball in Europe or somewhere, I don't know, but he is likely does not have a viable pro career in either sport.  He is good, but not that good.

Second, these guys (and some women) make serious money.  Just Google "how much do college basketball players make" and you'll see the sad news.  I had no idea; I still don't understand where it comes from and who pays it (although I'll add a little on that).  As far as I can tell a player like Donaldson will be paid around $500,000 a year.  So, anyone who thinks money isn't a factor for each decent player or major team's players is avoiding the truth.  The money seems to come from the school (i.e., their revenue) and the booster and fan collectives.  Somehow it is organized and disbursed.  It is stunning.  I could not imagine making that much money at that age.

It appears Donaldson was not "run out" of Michigan.  He was, however, "recruited over."  There is no compelling bond or reason to stay at Michigan.  He wants the best on-court situation which is tied to money--more need plus ability to pay equals same or better than Michigan.

Donaldson is not a pioneer in terms of free agents or student-athlete rights he is just a blip--one of hundreds this year.  Again, with fifteen scholarship basketball rosters there is no known reason to think there is not space.  It appears voluntary.  Bye.

It is a realization that this is what has happened to amateur (college) sports.  It is good to know.  I still don't get it entirely--I Googled it, Bryce Underwood, and it is something like $10 million.  That is what changed his allegiance.  I have no desire to root for him or watch him play.

"Don't feed the troll" is a quote from Olaf Scholz on a different topic and individual and I won't get into that.  Sort of like my affection for the Atlanta Braves--I'm just a troll.  The games are fun to watch if you can block out the commercials and talking heads and thankfully if you wait a bit that is often possible.  For the rest of it, if I want corruption and people who only care about money and themselves, it is easier to watch Dateline.

Times likes this full of chaos and greed serve as reminders.  What exactly do you stand for?

I probably can't shake the habit of searching for news as a way to relax on my cellphone.  And I am pretty sure if the basketball team is good next year--which is likely--when league games count, I will tune in.  

 

Above is a random quote.  I know some law but not that.  It seems more about market demand than NIL.  I have more research to do and I'd like to see the contract.  Does it say we're going to pay you this much and in return we have the unlimited right to your name, image, and likeness?   

If I am watching a Michigan game or posting an image here it it because of Michigan and not the athlete.  I am not making any money off it.  Gosh, if I were better at Photoshop I could take or copy or buy an image of the Maryland game and erase Tre Donaldson.

If someone wants to hire you for a car commercial, fine.  That is not the same as a collective formed to pay you.

UCLA--portal #1 approximately Dent $3 million from UCLA and $2 million downpayment.

Fat, drunk, arrested, and fired wasn't enough, what exactly is Denard Robinson complaining about?

Here's a quote from me as imaginary coach:  Next!

 

 

Dusty May is at it again.

 

It is pointless to review the Michigan basketball roster in terms of who doesn't or shouldn't matter.  By my count they have FOUR PLAYERS:  Will Tschetter, Tre Donaldson, L.J. Cason, and Phat Phat Brooks.  This is hoping and assuming Roddy is a Gayle.

This is not respectful of anyone.  I am going to stop watching the portal.  Just like last year, I didn't watch or care much about the team in the beginning of the season.  I only showed interest when they were near the top of the Big Ten.  

This portal crap every year with Dusty May is his milieu.  When the team displays more sanity and stability I'll show interest again.

4/5/25

Ridiculous portal acquisition for multi-transfer guy who wants to go to the NBA.  Some Michgan fans saying "We're gonna be great."  UAB, they were pretty good, everyone leaving.

I say who cares.

 

Fall of the Atlanta Braves Part 4

 

The Atlanta Braves suck and it is fun to watch.  They are lessons for all about building a team or program with stability, longevity, and pride. It is a look inside the fat-cats and failures.  It shows what happens with long-term contracts; the same can be said about college transfers with years of eligibility left--it probably won't last.  

Michigan has had some great teams.  Usually it boils down to leadership and people like Mike Sainristil, Aiden Hutchinson, and Derrick Walton, Jr. to name a few.

1.  They started the season hoping for a decent team when and if two stars (Acuna and Strider) come back at all-star levels.

2.  No. 2 starter Lopez is on the disabled list for shoulder inflammation and it is long-term.  His only start was 9 hits in 5 innings with one strikeout and two walks.  Remember Chris Sale?  He's the Cy Young winner who bowed-out of the playoffs last year.

3.  People are calling it fraud.  Jurickson Profar is gone for half a season and hopefully more.  $14 million a year for a one-time .280 hitter?  The other day I read somewhere not worth noting what a great start he had this year in one game.  His accomplishments:   he fouled off a lot of pitches and only struck out twice; he didn't have an hits.  He was supposed to be a bridge to Acuna and replacement for Jared Kelenic, i.e., they already have at least one outfielder who needs replacement.  

 

4.  Sean Murphy has shown once again that he doesn't want to or cannot play.  Murphy is awful.  Last year he missed about half and hit .200.  All we ever heard was that he never got his swing back.  Duh.  Sometimes he gets stats when the game is out of hand and pitchers hardly bother.  In terms of helping the team he is a complete no-show.

2023-2028 arbitration-extension-process. Sean Murphy signed a 6 year, $73,000,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $73,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $12,166,667. In 2025, Murphy will earn a base salary of $15,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $15,000,000.

 5.  The bullpen is terrible and six or seven games into the season they found soon to be 42-year old Jesse Chavez already.

 

6.  70-year old "Snit" (manager Brian Snitker) is an embarrassment.   The only thing I recall him saying this year is how he wants to retire and remain one of those people who still hangs around minor league ballparks (also referred-to as a scout).

 

7.  Yesterday I looked up Bryan De La Cruz, left fielder after seeing the box score.  It is not every day you see someone with a .000 batting average and .083 on base percentage.  His career stats are OK; not great, strikes out a lot.  $860K.  This season 6 strikeouts in 11 at-bats.  What is the point?  This because Sean Murphy makes $15 million.

 

8.  "AA" as he is called is an arrogant son of a bitch.  I remember last year when  Acuña went down--an interview, the only thing anyone said about the turnstile of outfielders.  He didn't say a word relevant to how he single-handedly destroyed the team.  by signing everyone breathing to a huge contract and then retiring.  I'll look it up, the story on ESPN.  He didn't and still doesn't give a rat's ass about the fans or the trajectory of a once great franchise.  Yeah, right, you are going to make the playoffs when everyone heals.  AA is Alex Anthopoulos.

 

9.  Joe Jiménez and...  I already mentioned the bullpen.  Three years $26 million guaranteed is crazy.  He is supposed to be the rock of the bullpen,  Instead he is skipping the season.  

10.  Ian Anderson.  This reminds me of college basketball, the portal, and 5th, 6th, and 7th years.  What is the point?  A career of hanging-on with NIL is a poor excuse for a career.  Anderson's salary is $800K.  The poor Angels.  

I could go on.  Drake Baldwin, supposedly the Braves' best prospect (catcher, realization Murphy is a flop), is hitting .056.  Farm systems used to fill in for injuries and it was a win-win in terms of evaluating prospects.  There is virtually nothing on the farm.  

Bright spots?  Sale has been good if he can last.  Spencer Schwellenbach also.

 

Michigan basketball roster post 2024-25 season predictions and news

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2025/03/30/michigan-basketball-roster-2025-26-elgibility-breakdown-danny-wolf/82718175007/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/michigan-basketball-roster-which-players-can-return-after-march-madness-exit/ar-AA1BSAU9

Have you ever seen Dusty May mad?  I believe he will be all business ASAP.  Tom Izzo called it "running off."  I believe Danny Wolf will find NIL and maturity; Roddy Gayle, Jr. will get the firm handshake; and Nimari Burnett, out of eligibility or not (there seems to be confusion), will also not return. Sam Walters?  Why come back.

It worked reasonably well before.  He got an extension.  Sweet 16?  We want more.  He will, out of necessity again, try to build an even better portal team.  He doesn't care about hurt feelings.

Surprisingly, Juwan and Jace Howard are showing out the best.  For Jace and the family graduating, keeping your mouth shut while not playing at all, and then hitting the portal is a classy move.  Not to mention staying for the NCAA tournament.  Although sparingly, he played his first two years.  He was OK, sort of like Justin Pippen.

Returning

Wolf

Donaldson

Tshetter

Cason

Brooks

 

3 Incoming Freshman

 

Monday 3/31/25 the action--more than just rumors--is already starting.

 

Auburn 3/28/25 Sweet 16

It was sad.  Not because they lost but because the ending was humiliating.  The great Michigan team of 2024-25 was left in their zone defense positions while the Auburn player bounced the ball over his head.  

Play hard lose hard has to be the moral of the story.  And this season there were a lot of difficult wins too.

Tahaad Pettiford is allowed.

Atlanta is not a neutral site for an Aurburn-Michigan game.  The team did their very best.

The Game

 I wish I could find the full game video to take another look.  Youtube has established a virtual monopoly (pun not intended) and CBS, the NCAA and whoever don't allow that.

1.  Two things stick in memory.  Pettiford won it.  He didn't make them all, but he made several unreal 3's at the right times.  And the rest of his game, e.g., passing, helped too.  He didn't even start.  The way things work now this tournament will be the end of his college career.  For Michigan, Rubin Jones could not stop him.

2.  Johni Broome--if you leave him open he will make it--and his other offensive moves were a difference maker.  I don't know what Auburn did defensively but it was the worst Vlad Goldin offensive impact in a long time (his free throws near the end helped).

3.  Other Auburn players helped.  Denver Jones had 18 points and wasn't even their star.

4.  Pearl is a sleaze.  Whatever he did during the timeout worked. 

Michigan didn't look particularly rested or sharp.  Auburn went after the dribblers and it worked, particularly against Gayle and Goldin.  Several Michigan players just didn't make their presence felt.  Danny Wolf led the way but it was not for the whole game and it was not enough when it counted.

Michigan was an (almost) all transfer team.  Auburn is a transfer team with experience playing together and homegrown talent.  This is what Dusty May and Michigan must do to remain near the top in the Big Ten.  They are going to have to develop something that will last more than one year.  I don't look forward to another up and down season of Roddy Gayle.  Donaldson needs to improve his scoring, assists, and turnovers; Tschetter is solid off the bench; Cason and perhaps Phat Phat provide some continuity.  Burnett may or may not remain as depth. 

 ---

Auburn basketball is an older team with lots of transfers.  They have some home-grown talent and a 5-star freshman.  They have height.

Michigan is older too (Burnett is 23 and Goldin will be 24 in May) and virtually all transfers.  One freshman plays; another is in the portal.  One player, a freshman, is from Michigan.

Bruce Pearl is as sleazy as they come.  He has built a very good team with transfers and others.  Is Michigan any better or cleaner?  That is what matters, not the score or outcome.

 Synonyms for "clean program" depending on the context could include "purification program," "sanitation program," "sterilization program," "detox program," or "rehab program"

The Matt Weiss arrest shows once again that Michigan has problems.  Sherrone Moore still hasn't shown the backbone to clean up football.  And Warde is only going to get fatter.

With--in the last year(s)--and after Juwan Howard the basketball program was a void.  Dusty May has an all-transfer team with one holdover (Will Tschetter) and one freshman (L.J. Cason) who plays.  Will the Auburn game be a defining moment?  Can it prove that Michigan is a strong, clean, reputable program? 

This is a strong Michigan team.  The crammed-in Big Ten tournament, then Denver, and now it will be late Eastern by the time the game starts.  There are other tough Big Ten teams, like Maryland; plus there are Big Ten teams like Michigan State (Purdue is capable but it is not their best year) still left.  Very often, as with Texas A&M (SEC), the pundits have been wrong with Michigan this year.  They will be prepared and it will be an exciting game.  One wildcard?  Roddy Gayle, Jr.

I try to shy away from difficult predictions in writing.  I guarantee this:  Michigan will not give up.  And you never know when Bruce Pearl will get fired again or possibly arrested.

All manner of

The Oldest Team

Auburn is not the oldest team.  They're not even the oldest team in the SEC.  The average, not median, age is 23.2 years.

Pippen 

Good riddance.  Put simply, the role is for the player/student/scholarship athlete to fit in with the team, not the other way around.

There are comments, threads, news, and blog posts on the web.  People get negged for writing "if I were a coach I wouldn't want him" or more frequently "bad look for a Sweet 16 team."  Most people say or agree with "gotta do what you have to" or "this is the new reality."

The University of Michigan is a tough place, not a bad thing for the goal of maturation and education.  But no one can say they didn't know Ann Arbor, Michigan is 1,944 miles from Los Angeles, California.

I don't agree with the argument that he couldn't wait one or two weeks because the opportunities will dry up.

His mother doesn't look "natural."  Until today I didn't know there was a Scottie Pippen, Jr. 

I'll add, because I follow...  He played more than any other freshman until the latest injury (apparently he had a leg injury in the beginning of the season).  Michigan has a thin roster and Dusty May gave him opportunities.  He was OK; Michigan needed some bench minutes and he was adequate as a ball-handler.  He looked slow with little offensive spark.  I remember one time when he received a pass, all alone under the opponent's basket and then passed the ball back out beyond the free throw line.  It looked like a learning moment, because shortly after that on another possession it happened again and  he scored a layup.

Of course I don't know the whole story.  Two or three weeks or more seems like a lot of time for a concussion recovery.  Even so, he could have supported his teammates.  It certainly looks like he has burned bridges and the coaches and team are happy to move on without him.

We have already seen it many times before in basketball and football.  Prima donnas will land somewhere.  Who cares.  He will always be known as the guy who couldn't hack it at Michigan and abandoned his team in the NCAA Tournament.

The Porthole

Or, as the great Tom Izzo calls it, "urinal."  Dusty with some wisdom and insight for the rest of us too.

For a school like Michigan it could mean a strong basketball team each year.  Is this a reason for May's comfort zone?  There are not a lot, but there are other schools that can boast the same characteristics.  There are 364 Division 1 teams.  Michigan has to be in the top twenty in terms of reach (or visibility), dollars, and for those who care, education.  While still money-driven, it is a logical thing for a serious basketball player to want to upgrade from one of the other 300-plus colleges.

 I still haven't watched the video with the 30-year, 70-year old coach.  One thing I caught in a short soundbite was 'I don't run anybody off.'  Those who stay, and that doesn't just apply to Michigan.

For Michigan it is already starting despite what May has said.  There's the 7-footer with a lot of Mw's in his name from, well it had to be Africa at some point with a big knee brace; and a point guard from Purdue Fort Wayne.  Who wouldn't want to transfer from there?.  I try not to use the word "ugly" because that was my first reaction when Michigan flushed the porthole under May.  I'll add this, Roddy Gayle looks better and happier now than he used to.  Still it is a dangerous word.  For now I'd say Auburn looks ugly.  I need to take a closer look into how, why, and from where.

 

 

 

Interesting guy and worth listening to.  He knows more (about college basketball) than 99.9% of the rest of us.  He has always had the potential to lapse into a gutter-talking crime boss; age has provided (some) credibility.  And he does this--I'm not going to talk about it, then he does; and you are right, but wrong, for asking and, implied, everything else also.  He is a Michigander and by now a statesman to boot.  He has certainly survived and has a really good basketball team that beat Michigan soundly twice already this year.  Michigan probably would not have won the Big Ten tournament if State had not lost. 

Justin Pippin as one of those guys who didn't want to work and get better, perhaps, within this way of looking at things.

Michigan played Purdue Fort Wayne this year.  Where do these portal rumors come from?  Is Dusty May, and likely Izzo too, being just a little disingenuous?

More waiting for basketball after the jump.  At least baseball is back and the Braves are up 4-3 with a Riley home run.

 

Michigan 91 Texas A&M 79 (Sweet 16)

I was really looking forward to this game.  CBS almost blew it with their delays and commercials, but the game was great..

See post below, UCSD...  You could see it coming, the skills and roles developing.  

When I write a game column I always ask myself, why did they win (or lose)?  Put even more simply, when did they take the lead and win?

In this one Danny Wolf looked rested and energetic.  The final Michigan comeback began with a 3-point play by Wolf.  53-60 with 13:04 left in the second half.  Then Cason hit two free throws; 2-3 zone on defense (with Tschetter).  Cason again, 57-61; Wolf block.  Tschetter smart and fouled for 2/3 FT.  Gayle  two FT then missed 3 then made 3; stress try again, then two more and the talking thing...  Goldin/Michigan/long tap outs, Michigan rebounding everything.  Gayle, 69-70.  Gayle, 2 FT 71-70.  Goldin hands, 73-70, then 75-70 again, 5:15 left in the game.  Goldin more free throws and a layup for the margin, plus a bucket by Donaldson.

Excellent substitutions and coaching from May and Michigan.  Everyone was fresh.

A bit later, a final basket from Donaldson at the end as usual. 

Why did Michigan win?  Roddy Gayle, rest of team playing great (save for Burnett, who was left out), Cason contributions beyond the norm, Goldin (the norm), and coaching.  The Aggies had numerous long misses and no rebounds during the Michigan run.

Texas A&M is brash.  Their coach was a jerk afterwards in the postgame presser.  It was a very impressive win.

Up next:  #1 Auburn. 

Michigan vs UCSD, aka Epiphany

Ugly, fortunate, and all the rest. 

But real signs: Tre Donaldson as leader and clutch go to guy.  Rubin Jones as energetic ball hawk.  Roddy Gayle, Jr. finding his stride and better off the bench.  L.J. Cason - quick defensive feet, offense, improved awareness.  

Who wrote what is below?  Finally, personal realization.  After the hard times at the end of the regular season these eight players have done amazing things.  Lots of games and travel.

Could anyone do better?

 It is so tempting--after the jump--to see the imperfections.  It looks and sounds and feels stupid.

 

Matt Weiss Update

https://mgoblogging.blogspot.com/2023/01/weiss-and-others.html

https://mgoblogging.blogspot.com/2023/10/next.html

https://mgoblogging.blogspot.com/2023/08/m-in-2023.html

 

I can't say I have done this before.  I'm not a fan of bloggers promoting their own posts or site staff.  But I remember Matt Weiss.

At the time it was a serious LE response and a quick firing trigger.  He gone, as they say.  But the case continued.  He never resurfaced in football.

Hopkins School, Vanderbilt, Baltimore Ravens, Michigan, and then prison.  How about that.  The Harbaughs are all over it.  Baltimore and Michigan constituted his maturation and the end.

I am one of those people who dissects the perverted mind--perverted often defined as illegal.  I read laws, like duty to report in Colorado, parental liability in Michigan, and insurance regulations in California (and Colorado, where I live).  They are detailed and there for a reason; they reflect our collective best thinking on how to deal with current trends and problems.  Hacking is broad and fraud even more so.  Fourteen plus ten counts, quick AI check, up to five then two years each, restitution, all depending on the severity, i.e., the scope in terms of victims and damage.  This is where it gets serious:  over 150,000 individual victims.  It was a broad, documented breach over many years and locations.  He was a person heavily invested and knowledgeable in it.  For the Feds he is a public figure it is intended as a precedent and warning to others.

Weiss is up against two experienced federal prosecutors.  We have all seen them, virtually everything on a computer has an IP address or last logged-in message attached to it.  I suspect a trial is unlikely because there so much evidence; some of the charges could be thrown out and others may be added.  There are sure to be many victims or makeshift influencers chiming-in and telling their stories and there could be civil suits, maybe even violations of Michigan law.  Keffer Development Services has a lot to answer for.  Much more is yet to come.

Right now, Matt Weiss is shitting bricks.  First he needs to negotiate a prison sentence.

The scheme does sound like something that can be done alone, without supporters, enablers, or in a conspiracy.  You think it is a private thing, sitting in front of a computer alone...  Some whisteblower, an IT person, apparently exposed it.  Nonetheless, it is a highly data-intensive environment.  There should have been training and oversight for healthcare and educational requirements.  Bosses can and should monitor it.  Beyond that, it does not take an expert to realize a personal, private password is just that.

I'm not convinced, I mean I haven't seen anything declaring or showing it, that Sherrone Moore is committed to a clean program.  So far he has been saved by two improbable wins and a money cannon.

Right now it is another Harbaugh and possibly Moore stain.  Perhaps we will learn more as/if the victims come forward.

As the cliche' goes, the Feds don't do this unless they have a strong case.  He deserves, and I predict, jail.

 

EDIT:  Change of tune.  Warde, Harbaugh, and the University of Michigan hired and enabled him--on work time, in university offices, and on university computers.

Jim Harbaugh is a pig (familiar tune). 

BTT (Big Ten Tournament)

 I am so engaged I'm watching the end of Michigan State - Wisconsin.

Game 3

 

It was milestone game for this team.

With about about two minutes left the camera caught Wisconsin coach Greg Gard and he looked worried.  He knows Michigan wins games like this.

But never before to be Big Ten champs.  May's biggest and perhaps only mistake was not filling out the roster.  Next year is one of those uncontrollable things.  This team team, all eight of them, is going to be tough to beat in the tournament.

Game 2

This was a game of peaks and valleys.  Maryland started by shutting-out Michigan; Michigan took the lead and for a while it was close until Michigan opened a big lead and started hot-dogging it.  Every play was a turnover and Maryland fought back to take the lead.  Then, back and forth a bit until Maryland seemed to win the clock battle.  Finally, it was a lasting five seconds of Trey Donaldson fame.

Why did Michigan win?  The Donaldson play.  It was not entirely new:  Michigan players go end to end (Jones, Wolf, Gayle, and Cason have done it recently).  Thus time was way more clutch.  Incredible composure, speed, and skill by Donaldson.

Purdue, Maryland, and soon to come Wisconsin are all top Big Ten teams.

Game 1

Purdue depended on their big two one game too many and is not the power they were in recent years.  But Michigan played its best game in weeks with the same lineup.  Everyone stuck to their role and played better than average.  Twenty-five assists and 6 turnovers is a huge and unexpected turnaround.

Goldin was the proverbial solid defender and scorer.  Wolf eliminated turnovers and dumb plays and played up to his best-game ability.  Even Roddy Gayle used his skills--jumping and free throw shooting.  The real key, however, is everyone contributed.  Donaldson, Jones, Cason, Burnett, already-mentioned Gayle, and Cheddar all contributed with their individual skills.

(Looks up spelling again), Tschetter was great.  Trey Kaufman-Renn is strong, physical, very good, and an absolutely legal bully.  Tschetter took the blows.  During one stretch he was in the seats or on the floor 3 times in about a minute.  Wasn't he Mr. Minnesota at one time?  Jones too, all these guys can shoot and I bet they make them in practice.  This game featured team play and assists.  

The players and all those assistants and analysts sitting on the bench in white Michigan communist (Dusty May) uniforms did great.  No one plays for Michigan unless they can handle the big time.  The team responded.

Wisconsin over State.  Earlier, Maryland made easy work of Illinois, and Michigan too.

 

Collapse

This Michigan basketball team is fake and a fraud and Dusty May was incredibly lucky for a long while.  Michigan basketball lacks talent and depth.  Turnovers and dumb plays continue.  Aside from Goldin there is no offensive scheme; Wolf makes as many mistakes and turnovers as he does points and rebounds and the rest of the team are minor contributors.  It is the same lineup doing the same things for weeks.  They are all multi-year compensated, major conference players.  There is no change or improvement.  It is not going to happen this year and it may never happen with this lineup. 

Wolf may mature.  Gayle, Donaldson, Burnett, and Tschetter are not going to be different next year, if they stay.

It has always been hard to watch, but at least they were winning.  Ever since taking the Big Ten lead, and the Purdue and Michigan State beatdowns, it has been downhill.

Maryland missed shot after shot and Michigan couldn't do a damn thing.

At home.

Michigan 49 Nebraska 46

Today I'm watching and following the box score.  I need a diversion.

Gayle starting because Jones out.  Michigan short-handed is redundant.

First impression:  that guy Brice, I looked him up yesterday.  From Charlotte. another 5th year player is a hog with a nearly half-court 3 attempt; Wolf same shot.  Wolf makes some great plays; trouble is, despite his skills, he is not a star who dominates the game.  Turnovers and dumb plays are frequent.  You know, that NBA potential.  Earlier, someone put an easy layup right in Goldin's face.  Wolf just missed

Now Wolf turned it over under his own basket.  Earlier it was a missed layup and bad foul.  Casen blocked.  It is painful.  We've seen this before with the 30-foot spread offense and desperate 3-pointers. 

Goldin is the (only) low-key steady influence.  Cheddar flop (he of the elbow); Wolf looks like he is high on speed or meth or both--another missed layup.  I think he is not called for enough turnovers because he does not grab loose balls.

Edit:  painful and ugly.  3:47 left in the first half and Nebraska has 16 points.  Nebraska is throwing up wild 3's with no plan at all and they are terrible at it.  Michigan makes up for its lack of skill with aggression and defense.  Michigan has 21. Pick-up games are more skilled.

I hear the SEC is good.  In the BIG-nothing Purdue was fake and and their big two aren't always stars.  Wisconsin is not perfect.  Burnett is still trying to do too much, three times in a row.  Good time out, Nebraska:  21-21.   Wolf carries often, this time it was called.  Illinois has issues.  We'll see Maryland soon.

We've seen this before too.  Somehow, Michigan is leading 25-21

I forget the Fred Hoiberg story...  But who could refuse, Nebraska?   I hear Madison Square Garden is moving to Omaha.

Box score:  Wolf is not an asset, except perhaps in some height-scary or hyperactive way.  I have always wondered, what do those Nimari Burnett 1/6 games look like?  He cannot drive or shoot much more than stationary, feet spread, long open shots.  Goldin, not a star or dominant.  Donaldson, someone probably told him after State to get his head and his body into the game--OK.  Gayle, Jr. has been good; two free throws made, which is a lot of points in this game.  Bench (Cheddar, Cason) a complete zero.with no points, one turnover, and two Pippin fouls. 

Halftime, good.  There are better things to do.  But I'll check back. 

Two really stupid fouls on Wolf to begin half two.  I realize the announcers have to be there, but are they from Nebraska too?  Cheddar with a tackle.  When Michigan loses the lead I'm gone.

There is something about this gunner Brice Williams.  He is trying to get some kind of record, he and his father?  

25-25, 30-29 with Wolf hopefully sleeping it off is close enough... 

Those who have to wait it out and then travel home in Nebraska have my sympathy.

Nebraska 33-32 lead.  35-32.  Bye almost.

I'm really surprised.  Wolf looks like he hasn't slept in a week; he is out of it.  Michigan has nothing.  It is not a slump when you have never been good at it (3/20 from three).  Why don't you at least have a post game with two 7-footers?  

Dusty May is a really lucky guy.  35-35.  Closeup of Dusty and he looks worried, very worried.  I remember about a week ago, one of those analyze the schedules for the conference leaders; Michigan could lose them all with six left.  Turnover, turnover, turnover.  Michigan's season is slipping away.  It is still suspenseful.  What do those turnovers in the box scores look like?  Turnover again.  They are mostly panic, or too fast starts or stops, and bad passes.  It is either a step too fast or a step too slow.  It is a lack of skill, poise, or experience.  It is playground ball.

Turnover. 

Okay, Wolf took another dose and hit two shots.  Cason, he is guaranteed to be good, he has a fearless streak, right?  It went in.

45-39 Michigan, four minutes and two dumb fouls.  Those don't count as turnovers.  Wolf a pointless reach-in.

Hook and hold is, no it has nothing to do with sailors and breadfruit.  Flagrant one does not include jail time.  Ouch, 0-2 on free throws and then another turnover.

Chicken?  Natives?  Of course life is good in Nebraska.  The crowd looks more black and grey than red.  Nebraska takes terrible shots.  But wait, Donaldson just threw it over the backboard!  

I see a guy in the back end of the bench who looks like Dusty; must be his son.  He is not attending the team meeting.

I get it..  Fred is not Sam.  It is that treasured Nebraska degree (coach's son).  Brice Williams is 9/21 with zero assists.  You almost never see a really good team with a gunner like him.

40 seconds left Michigan 45-44.  Everyone is standing.  Michigan new shot clock 21 seconds.  Free throws.  Gayle.  2-2.  Bad Gayle foul on shooter Williams.  Not smart or controlled at all.  Gayle one and one miss.  Gayle!?  Michigan 94.6% per ESPN.  Donaldson 2.6 seconds, 2/2.  Now 95.3% chance.  No bad foul.  Have to go full court in under 3 seconds.  Got it away.  No.

49-46 Michigan.  Dusty May is a very lucky guy.  How many times did they say "There are no style points?"  Nebraska is not very good, at home, and they had every chance.

 

 

MIchigan State 75 Michigan 62

 

 

Tom Izzo has a 17 minute post-game video on You Tube.  He won big time.

 

Michigan basketball and Dusty May are not as good as thought.

Dusty, instead of putting your son on the team, why didn't you add another player?  

I highly suspect that I am not the only one who has focused on Roddy Gayle when watching games.  He very seldom contributes in a positive way, unless with a great assist or mistake by the other team.  He dribbles with his head down.  He picks up his dribble and leaves himself stranded; others have to help.  He is a wimp around the basked; he does not create, score, steal, or rebound. He is a poor free-throw shooter.  His passes are weak and lazy.  On offense he usually stands there, behind the play, waiting for a pass.  None of these things reflect a temporary slump.

It wouldn't be so bad if he was humble or trying to improve.  He is arrogant and self-congratulatory.  He is distinctive on the court with his white leggings.  Gayle even looks a mess.

There is a post on longtime Michigan blog Maize 'n Brew, months old, that the vehemence must stop.  In this day and age with rent-a-players who don't give a damn about the university, or the alumni, or residents of the state, or their education, or anything else but a paycheck it is warranted and appropriate.  Just like this blog post, is nice to have an historical and written record.

Gayle has been in for a long while now.  Eighteen straight for Michigan; eight point lead overcoming a large deficit.

The above is not a personal criticism of Mr. Gayle it is recognition of a weak roster.  May has not recruited them and he has not coached them up.  Gayle would not be playing but for the lack of other options.  But yes, they did come back.  Is it possible that everyone else plays better--more attention--when Gayle is in the game?

LJ Cason.  Right.  Like you are going to grab the ball out of the players hands, with both hands, from his chest.

I didn't watch the game live because I was tired--too tired to deal with the annoyances.  I followed the box score and live action on my phone.  I remember the situation when State hadn't scored in a long time.  Michigan took the lead because the Spartans did not score.  Cason put them on the line and they scored.  

Trey Donaldson...  Is he ill?  He is nonexistent.  Danny Wolf is by far Michigan's best player, passer, driver, shooter, and rebounder.   He is smart, tall, and athletic.  Gayle just touched the ball in the corner, faked a drive, then almost threw the ball into the backcourt.

"I don't like watching Rodney Gayle play" a succinct blog commenter wrote.

Gayle just missed the rim by 10 feet on a 3-pointer.  No jump, energy, or aim.  I'm hard-pressed to even call it a shot. 

Starter Ruben Jones is AA (available absent) also.  

It is almost halfway through the second half!   A replay half a day later is much easier.  

Another question:  How many Michigan players in the rivalry game are from Michigan?  The answer is zero.

I already know it a lead Michigan State will not relinquish.  

Gayle just grabbed a rebound because Wolf and someone else blocked-out.  With two hands, relatively uncontested, he dropped it out of bounds.

 The final box score after the game says it all.  Cason 5 minutes; Pippen 1.  Cheddar a few (not much impact) and Gayle 24 minutes played; Wolf 36, Goldin 33, Donaldson, Burnett 32, Domaldson 31, Jones 27.

For Michigan basketball the post-season is not going to be long or pretty.  For Dusty May the jury is still out.