The Game - Michigan 69 Connecticut 63

It is by far the worst game Michigan has played this season.  Michigan looked tired and unprepared.  No one was scoring.  I guess Cadeau or Johnson would be MVP as they played best.

Give all the credit to UConn and Dan Hurley.  It was a brilliant performance.  Karaban, Reed, and others were fantastic. It confirms what I wrote and thought about other opponents including Alabama, Tennessee, and Arizona; they didn't come to play or win, and UConn certainly did.

Michigan win and they're the champs.

--- 

Almost 1/4 thru.  Mara 0-3; Michigan 0 /3 from 3 (Cadeau 0/2).  UConn tough on the ball, forcing Michigan deep.  UConn looking much better than expected.  Tarris Reed is winning.  Tie game 11-11.

UConn looks much better than expected.  Karaban is winning too.

Lesson learned:  UConn has a way.  Michigan like Illinois.  Terrible shooting.  UConn causing.  17-18 UConn @7:00 minutes.  Ouch.  Michigan is being outplayed.  Not out-talented, outplayed.  No threes, no dunks, no Wow!

This is a tense game.  Dan Hurley's scheme and coaching is working.  21-20 now, 6:17.  21-23.  The one edge Michigan has is fewer fouls.  But it is dead even.

UConn is outrebounding Michigan.  You can see it under the basket where Lendeborg is not playing (Cadeau is out with two fouls).  Where is Johnson?  17-15 UConn leading in rebounds; absolutely opposite of all predictions.

It all started with Mara missing three close-in post-ups.

Yes it was a hook and hold.  The only bright spot for Michigan is UConn foul trouble.  Hurley complains about everything.

Stunning:  Michigan 23 points. Now 29-25 Michigan.  What a game!  Michigan 0/8 3pt; UConn 4/12.

Gayle Wow #1.  Dumb Michigan foul with 2.6 seconds, Lendeborg's second.  Reed 1/2.  

33-29 at the half.  Close is the way it is supposed to be.  Don't complain!  Michigan leads.  Just please don't let it be one of those "it wasn't our night give them credit" interviews.

---

Michigan is tightening its defense.  They're still discombobulated on offense.  Lots of balls off their fingertips.  Tons of missed tip-ins.  

But Michigan is enlarging their small lead.  They're racking up UConn fouls and are slowly increasing their lead.  How?  Defense.  Rebounds.  Going to the rim (because their outside shots are not close).  Steals, blocks, and turnovers are in Michigan's favor.  Some said it would be ugly.  It is ugly and Michigan is slowly winning at it...  Finally a three (Cadeau), Michigan 48-37.

Bill Raftery is 82 and very, very welcome on my TV.

Lendeborg is moving nicely.  Probably the foul trouble is affecting UConn.  Michigan still only 4 assists.  That prevents a lot of the Wow.

The difference is the defense for Michigan.  Michigan 15-10 in the second half.  Cadeau once too often with the right hand; Tschetter another Michigan missed layup.  UConn sure doesn't impress statistically or size-wise but they're every bit Michigan's equal on the glass; smart, great timing, anticipation, and team play.

34-28 UConn rebounding lead.  Reed has 12 so far and Karaban is playing like a star big, including a block.  Lendeborg is 0-5 from three and the last one was several feet short of the rim; the top of the key scoring from his is completely missing. Michigan is an abysmal 1/14 (7%) from three but still leading 52-45.

Story of the game is ugly.  Michigan is ugly.  UConn is just a little uglier.

Lendeborg is gassed exhausted.  He is still playing and trying.  Huge wide open three by Mullins.  56-48.  This is not over.  Mullins again, 58-51, open.  60-51. Morez Johnson 4th foul.  Tense.  Close.  Better to have the lead than not.

Michigan bench is 2/12 with 8 points.   

McKenney a stepback three.  65-56 with 1:49 to go.  I'd rather be in the lead.

If UConn wins it is because of Reed and Karaban.  Neither necessarily look the part.  But they are why UConn has won championships.  

Free throws.  One minute left.

Ball just banked a three.  

Gayle missed both free throws.

Hurley being Hurley.  Ice the shooter.  McKenney can ice it.  67-63 with 13 seconds.  Both.

69-63.

Guts.  A really tough opponent. 

Michigan vs Uconn Prediction

I'm just finishing watching Illinois against UConn.  Funny how you think you know if you follow the Big Ten.  Illinois is not great.  Neither is UConn.

I'll put an end to all the suspense now.  

Give them credit.  Michigan 92 UConn 75. 

Specifics.  I remember Tarris Reed from the Juwan days; he was big, slow, and not a jumper; same now, but with some moves.  Mara is five inches taller and great at going straight up--offense and defense--as well as anything involving hands or arms.  Karaban, Mullins, and others are going to get eaten-up by Michigan's guards--Burnett, Gayle, Cadeau, and McKenney, ditto Arizona.  Unlike Arizona, UConn has very little height or strength under the basket.  Morez Johnson may miss putbacks but but he is a one-man 3, 4, and 5 around the basket.  Reed cannot do it all, even without a healthy Lendeborg there.  I didn't see anything special in UConn's screens, or shooting, or rebounding.  Michigan may have a better athlete at every position.  Michigan has better three-point shooters and a just as effective scheme.  I see no indication UConn will stop McKenney or Gayle and Mara will have a field day.

Then there's the Michigan factor.  For Arizona my count was 5 -- if Michigan has at least five wow moments in terms of lobs, dunks, or full-court theatrics they will win.  They usually if not always exceed.

Yaxel Lendeborg is needed to spell Cadeau and hitting 3's from the top of the key is fine too.  

Anticipation: Michigan Arizona Prediction

There has seldom been such an anticipated game.  That is because there has seldom been two teams so praised.

These things are never unanimous, but for Michigan it may not have ever happened like this in men's basketball.  Even against Arizona, the higher team in rankings, Michigan is favored.  And that is because Michigan's three losses are viewed by some, including this writer, as anomalies.  Michigan has looked unbeatable since Lendeborg kicked-it up and they learned to play without Mara and Cason.

And now, from someone who has virtually not seen Arizona play this season.  They play in the paint and are not heavy 3-pt scorers.  They have a big and experienced roster with young talent too like Michigan and are possibly deeper; some say their guard play is better.  I think Alabama has it right and they were close for a half--pure speed and hoping for luck.  I don't think anyone can beat Michigan in a half-court game because Michigan will include with it spectacular bursts with full-court passes, lobs, and 3's.  Nowhere have I read Arizona has such a playbook.

Now I have to do it, watch Arizona.  I know Purdue (one of Michigan's three losses) so I'll be back...

The real reason I came here writing today is what I have gleaned from all the hype.  Tommy Lloyd is not so likeable IMHO; not a fan of the scowl, the phony but I'm in charge laughter, the you-figure-it-out locker room (Purdue), the international pipeline, or wait, almost through, failure to deny NC rumors (i.e., negotiating) and the 20 years at Gonzaga saga.

He and Dusty May are the phenoms this year and in the new age.  May is more palatable.

And again, Mr. Never Seen Arizona here, I cannot see Arizona as loose, happy, and all-for-one as Michigan.

Michigan 80 Arizona 70.

Michigan 95 Tennessee 62 NCAA Tournament March 29 2026

the game started out like one of those that Michigan will win.  their five against Michigan's five.  slow.  no space.  less than 5 min in and Mara has 2 fouls.  that is stupid.

Again, it a pace where Michigan will beat you one on one.  

Tennessee's shots are way off.  Michigan is missing too but they are close.  Good looks and close.  

Gillespie could be the difference.  Tied.

Cadeau back in; McKenny as PG didn't look good.  Make-up calls for the Mara snuff call.

This is a very tough, physical game.  Lots of fouls.  Time for Lendeborg.  And free throws.

Checks stats.  Michigan is in the lead 17-16 but has not made a three. Free Throws are 9/10 and that is huge.  I should be a fortune teller:  22-16.  25-16. Michigan is incredibly tough to beat at that pace.  Okpara is the center from Ohio State; he has 3 fouls.  The Vols have miss a lot of shots; 77% to be exact.

Apparently Cadeau is all over Gillepsie.  Michigan is getting a lot of calls.  Passing, spacing, passing, and a 3.  Barnes better do something.  Michigan has learned to play without Mara and Gayle is 2-2.

"No answers now for this Michigan defense.  None."  That is rare.  Most coaches would run a play.  It is now 35-16.  This, the spacing, passing, and shooting is John Beilein revisited.  Front court?  It has nothing to do with it.

Field Goal %  T - 20  M - 55  @  3:56 first half.  The color announcer keeps saying Michigan defense.  Don't they play defense in the SEC?

Now, if Michigan hits 3's while Tennessee fights two's, the game is over.  I don't see the Tennessee offense exploding.

T - 26  48 - M   Nice finish for Tennessee; long drought for Michigan at the end.

It is a 26 point lead now 15+ to go second half.  What can you do?  Michigan will run or hit 3's.  You can't come back from that. 

---

It was almost never in doubt.  Tennessee is not a good shooting team.  They had a lot of clunkers.  I am really surprised at how immature and lacking leadership Tennessee is.  Maybe no one knows how long Barnes will be staying, or the transfers they have acquired lack something in the way of character.   I remember Rick Barnes from Providence and later Clemson. I enjoyed watching.  But Barnes has not been winning championships. It was still a suspenseful game in the second half--please don't get injured or do anything stupid.  That pretty much true for both teams.

There it is, the Final Four:  Arizona, two Big Ten teams, and one from the East (ACC or Big East).  As easy to dislike as he is, Bruce Underwood has taken some seemingly unlikely to fit transfers into the next-best Big Ten team.

 

Keys to the Elite 8, Michigan vs. Tennessee

Assessment

The Vols are big but not as talented as Michigan (they say).

The Vols are deep but not as talented as Michigan (they say).

Rick Barnes is a really good coach.

Key stats:  Rebounding, points, opposition points, steals, and blocks are just about even. 

Tennessee does have 11 losses to Michigan's 3 and they are only a 6 seed, but they are #11 at KenPom and they have played a tough schedule. 

Stats say Tennessee is not a great 3-shooting team. 

 

Keys to the Game for Michigan 

Stay out of foul trouble.

Hit 3's.

Rebounds and points from Morez Johnson.

 

Also 

Points from Mara, Cadeau, and Burnett.

Slashing and steals from the bench (Gayle).

Lendenborg and McKenney, keep it up from 3.

Mara, prove the last game was a fluke.  Post, rebound, and pass as capable.

 

We'll see what happens, but going in this is a really worrisome game.  It is all just too easy.  Why, at every turn, do all the people who are paid to predict choose Michigan.

Borzello's prediction: Michigan, 80-68
Medcalf's prediction: Michigan, 85-69

That is the latest from a little outfit called ESPN.  I don't know who these people are, but they are trumpeting the same tune as the rest.  Tennessee's roster is tall, heavy, and deep.  If I were Rick Barnes, and I am certainly not, I would tell every single big they are going in for short stretches of bully ball.  Everyone should have three or four fouls midway through the fourth quarter; your job is to debilitate Mara, Lendenborg, and Johnson.  FWIW, Dusty May could tell Cheddar the same.

If Tennessee's bigs can hold their own Tennessee can win.  Or, if any of three Michigan frontcourt starters get into foul trouble, Tennessee might win.  That is the question in this game:  Is Michigan's frontcourt unbeatable?  If Tennessee cannot do it with their roster the answer has to be yes.

The same virtually unanimous predictions have preceded every Michigan tournament game so far and they have been right.

It is fascinating that per the announcer Dusty May planned for an Alabama game too fast for Mara.  And Alabama's Oats doubles stopped him completely.  Part of it confirms that the internet pundits don't know a damn thing.  Tennessee is the #1 team in offensive rebounding but they aren't good at scoring on those rebounds?  What does that mean?

When I look at Tennessee's roster I see size and experience, and some big recruits too.  Actually, it goes even farther into incredulity.  Michigan just played Alabama; who is Amari Allen?  It looks like Arkansas (Calipari) should have won the NCAA Tournament a week ago.  Nate Ament at #14 and the Vols transfer from Maryland (Gillespie) on there too.

Michigan is not the only team that spends.  But they almost all still say Michigan can't be beat.

The team, the team, the team.

 

Counterpoint: Michigan 90 Alabama 77

I like Steve Lappas as a color guy because he's energetic and not afraid to show it.  He is as much an expert as anyone.  Maybe he is not the biggest expert in the world about these teams.  A new viewpoint is nice.

Thanks to this guy and a decent rewind of the whole.

The mark of a better-than-most-others coach is getting the most out of the team to be specific and consistency with really good teams is another.  Nate Oats is that.  And if you read the 'Bama blogs you'll find appreciation.  Others have said it too, this is not their best team, nonetheless they have a formula that'll work against almost anyone.  Those  on the aforementioned blogs have had a chance to assess and reconsider--the guy with the very large personal consumption stash is both their best 3-pt. shooter and their biggest idiot.  Because it is not their best team, they showed like the 'Bama of old as in a bunch of bad decisions.  Damn if they didn't win at their game for a half.  Speed kills.

It is stunning the prognosticators predicted Michigan as the favorite going in and still do so at every opportunity.  Juwan Howard has shriveled to a raisin.  Who the f... is Dusty May and this isn't about anyone's checkbook.  This isn't just about very good but only time will prove that.  This is about being the best.

You cannot put a price on human behavior.  I don't care how they got here.  None have failed in terms of character or effort.

The game is a tale of two halfs, the first Michigan sustaining as few others could and the second was time to come to papa.

Wtf?  Lendeborg was playing the four with Johnson as 5.  No question his top of key three-pointers were the difference maker in the entire game.  It was a pace so fast it negated Mara in large part.  Make no mistake, Michigan did not pull punches.  Win or go home.  Others to mention McKenney is one who even with the highest accolades exceeds; too young and too fast to do that.  I'm happy Gayle has found himself and same goes for Cheddar.  It sure would be nice to see Mara, Johnson, or Cadeau again next year and the same goes for others from the bench.

This game, it truly was one that most teams wouldn't survive.  Still, it was predicted. 

Next up:  An Illinois win will cause me to barf.  Can't say I'm crazy about the Iowa coach either, but still.  Years ago I made a decision as a blogger that I will not joke about anyone's name.  An exception is in order.  Brad Underwoodvich has the worst comb over ever.  

 

A Loss Will Cause Me To... Michigan 90 Alabama 77

Since I still don't know how to describe it I will start by saying the announcers are annoying.  Voice lessons won't help.

It was possibly the worst first half Michigan has played all year.  But, and this has happened before, floor and 3-pt shooting is excellent with both about 50%.  Turnovers a little high.  Rebounding even is not good.  Lots of blocks.

What is the matter with Mara?  He is just standing there with the ball.

Ugly, not good first half but only down by two. 

Alabama is terrible.  They only have one good player.

At least now at 70-57 it is showing.

Lendenborg is everywhere and is doing everything.

For some reason Alabama is making Michigan look ugly.   But they're still behind by 10.

Alabama is terrible.  Nate Oats is weird.

Once again, Roddy Gayle, it comes and goes.  It is going in this one.

There's the one guy, but Alabama is not a good 3-pt shooting team.  Have they scored in the second half?  Alabama is terrible.

Michigan is still shooting 49/52.  And they're opening up a rebounding lead.  They're doubling Mara--have been all game.  Why?  It is an interesting strategy, shutting down Mara.  But it is not something that is going to win the game.

Uh, Morez Johnson is not having his best game.  

Sherrell is odd too.   At 6'10 he didn't do the opening tip.  He has no hands as a rebounder and no moves as a center.

Michigan is missing free throws but Alabama is still not catching up.

You can't lose when you outrebound, outblock, outshoot, and out-assist the other team.  

Alabama, the great, fast 3-pt machine had 28 points in the second half.  Alabama is... You know the answer.

 

A loss would have made me read MgoBlog to try and find out how Michigan could play that badly.

 

Michigan 95 Saint Louis 72

"They are unlike any other team in college basketball."

They said it, but I was just thinking how to word it myself.  Michigan is weird and unusual.  They are so  good the only time the lose is when they make mistakes--usually because of their own hotdogging--or when an opponent does something really special.

It is a long, long game, and also a fun one to watch; say what I will (below) Avila is fun to watch.  The first half seemed like it took forever and now, with 8 minutes left, Michigan has 79 points and the second half is dragging too. The outcome has never been seriously in doubt, but the Billikens look good.  

OMG there's Tom Izzo!  Determined is an understatement, and his big bodyguards (the players) look downright scary.  If I were just about any team in the country I would not want to play Michigan State in the NCAA tournament, ever.

I remember the A10--I went to GWU and used to sit in the very nice but high school-like gymnasium because students then got in free with an ID.  And men's basketball was the only real, almost big-time sport.  Of course back then Dayton and others were not considered part of the Atlantic coast.

So the game is over but they are still playing.  You see some very close games when unexpected teams celbrate and also complete blowouts in the NCAA tournament.  

In Michigan's case it is a team that is designed then built from the ground up.  Sometimes I wonder why basketball or football coaches get fired only to be replaced by people who appear to be no upgrade.  Maybe it helps to take a fresh look at the whole thing; same goes for Michigan football, and while it was necessary and Kyle Whittingham may do a great job in the short term, that hire looks riskier to me than Dusty May especially given the last two years of Michigan basketball.

It is garbage time; you cannot tell from the boxscore what is going on, you have to watch.  I've seen the name, but who is Oscar Goodman?  Wow, another block!  Is Mara still playing?  Goodman is/was a promising recruit, as is the additional 7-footer in the young man from Germany.  I am answering my own question again:  they are simply not good enough to make the lineup and no one can predict the future beyond the last game.  

Vipbox shut off fast and I missed the talking heads.  No loss.  Time to switch to the next game.  "Oooo We."  Caught it anyway.  That is what I expected to hear.  Clark Kellogg has finally removed his Ohio State-Michigan blinders.  Even Charles Barkley is gaga and (reasonably) articulate.

Florida beats Prairie View A&M (what a name) 114-55 and you have to ask, why are they so merciless?  It happens in the NCAA when teams have players they cannot match.  Sometimes a little coaching helps; against Purdue I think coaching won the game when Michigan could not stop the Braden Smith-Trey Kaufman-Renn two-man game, but by far the main the main is physical action you just cannot stop, like running the rock fifteen straight plays at the end of a football game.  In The Tournament you have to do it; you cannot lose the fire even for a few minutes or the game could be your last.

It took me a while to even watch this year given the off-season layoffs then rehiring.  Since say midseason, Aday Mara has been Michigan's best player.  He does things others cannot match or that makes you say I have never seen that before.  (Googles Aday Mara full court alley-oop.)  Mara's arms:  I don't know how he does it.  They are long, they look flimsy but they are strong and I have seen him rocket passes across the court and grab or catch the ball like vice grips and his arms are rubber bands made of steel.  Still he has an incredibly, almost beautifully soft touch around the basket.  He uses his vision of being above everyone else and is a smart  and effective passer.  He runs hard.  What the heck is a Billiken?  In this one Robbie Avila (a great and fun to watch player also) was having trouble getting up and down the floor.

A while back I looked at NBA mock drafts:  Yaxel Lendeborg was slated in the 8-10 range; Morez Johnson Jr. was around 22ish; and Mara at the end of the first round of 30 picks.  For most of the season Lendeborg was not a star and he can be flamboyant; he has turned it up at the end of the season.  Johnson is great around the basket but I cannot remember the last time he made an outside shot and in a few recent games he has almost disappeared.  To me Mara is the first Michigan NBA pick.  You can just see how gifted he is in terms of size and agility plus he works on the little things. He is not just a tall guy with potential. Whoever or however nasty rumors from L.A. started is a disgrace and in interviews he is humble and likeable.

Back to the game.  In the first half St. Louis was making runs and even taking the lead.  Michigan is missing all these easy shots and turning the ball over.  What is wrong?  The stats showed different.  Michigan was shooting 60% from the floor, around 50% 3's, and turnovers and assists look good; free throws not so hot but that improved, as did the rebounding differential.  Michigan won all-around.

Strange team, Michigan basketball.  Nimari Burnett does not usually miss all his free throws.  I like a guy who's happy. And L.J. Cason doesn't sit in the stands.

The Billiken is a charm doll created by an American art teacher and illustrator.

 --

As always, my top five reasons.

1.  Robbie Avila didn't match the hype.  Of course I cannot judge his season or career and perhaps he was having a bad day.  He was ordinary and not a difference make; one rebound and not great shooting or assists either.  Maybe it was the two fouls early in the game which, incredibly, he played through.  Again, not my place to judge.  To me he looks like he could be in better shape.

Two, the whole Michigan team.  Everyone played skilled, smart, and together with a little bounce.

Mara as mentioned above.  In the few times Michigan has had trouble this season most are linked to smart opponents and Mara foul trouble.  

4.  Lendeborg.  Community college, bedrooms without furniture, and I don't even remember past developmental problems.  He has worked his way up and through and he takes a while to appreciate.  I haven't heard a bad word about him at Michigan.  Going into the game and reading Brian Cook's accolades (among others), I thought the way to negate Avila is to put Lendeborg on him.  There were signs of this.  No question he has all the skills.  It like one of those ridiculous comments after the murder when he or she didn't act the way they should have.  Lendeborg's exuberance can be hard to interpret. It certainly does not hurt the basketball team.

Last.  It is just a comment.  But first, Roddy Gayle, Cheddar, McKenney too.  The whole rotation.  

Yes, and per coach Josh Schertz, there are teams that spend and manage NIL better than others but the number of them is way more than five or ten.  You can probably count whole Big Ten in that group--even lesser teams this year spend like crazy.  You can try, and you must be ethical, but you cannot change the rules, the landscape, or the market.  If you play you play to win.  This too took some of us a while to realize and appreciate.  I forget the numbers; a writer with Yahoo or the NY Times who qualifies as an expert opinion estimated Michigan's payroll; $10, 15, 20 million annually.  That is one donation from a booster or alumnus at any college.  The talent differential was not close.

 

And still going

So we are here, At the end,

Lendeborg, could we ever spell thee?

Oh, but we digress, but we are right on.

 Howard nose to nose.  I have seen everything.  

From Lithuania to Howard.

End.

St.Louis is next.

 

Michigan Basketball, March 2026

The 2025-2026 season will be over in a couple of weeks and three of the four big-time transfers will declare for the NBA draft and probably go in the first round.  Twenty-four year-old Nimari Burnett will or should retire; Tschetter and Gayle are out of eligibility.  L.J. Cason, with McKenney, one of the two links to the future is in terms of the team is out until further notice.  Elliot Cadeau is likely to go the way of Tre Donaldson--stay or not.

27-2 and 17-1 is truly amazing.

As a whole, the team is very good.  Dustin May will probably do something similar next season.

The nine who play play hard.  The Illinois game was a big win.  When I write a column about a game I always ask myself:  Why did they win?  In this one they were in the lead by 5-10 points most of the game; the Illini were chasing and that is exhausting.  Michigan were better shooters, rebounders, passers, and arguably stronger and more athletic.  They are a better team and coached to the maximum roles and results.

But for me, the team is not easy to like.  Is May just another Harbaugh?

The team will be completely new again starting in a month.  There is a #4 recruiting class coming in.

--

Post MSU.  19-1. 

No one provides figures but apparently there are some ten teams with $10 million payrolls.  That is the problem.  Michigan is a good team.  Who cares.

Dusty May is a pimp and the players are whores; maybe not Cheddar who stayed.  Yaxel Lendeborg $3 million?  I'm not rooting for him or them. 

 

Some Portal News

Saturday 1/10/26 Michigan is ranked 56th with 4 commits on 247.  A few recruits are not counted for reason(s).  One who may be counted is the RB coach's son who hasn't/doesn't play at a non-football school; another is a running back who has not played all season.

John Henry Daley is top-10 on ESPN; the real thing.

Nearest LDS temple is in Bloomfield Hills.

There are a lot of players left.  There are also some very serious players, including Penn State, Oklahoma State, LSU, and Indiana and Texas Tech again.   

It seems the coaching staff has little mojo outside of Utah (Idaho included).  Michigan has lost an average number of players--not counting those from the recruiting class who bolted.  Those who do make perfect sense to me:  Why should I put up with this transition crap?  One in particular who is from California and now sports Stanford is a no-brainer.

While wise or knowledgeable people (!) have been saying wait, it'll happen, I tend to think not.  The roster needs a total rebuild and a few stop-gaps is not going to do it.

I have waffled between patience and concluding Michigan is getting everything they deserve.  And the so-called investigation is a giant no show.

I don't see a portal splurge coming.  And if you are going to play the game you need to play to win.

 

Michigan Football, 5 Reactions

1.  Michigan's defense is terrible.  So is the offense.

2.  Kyle Whittingham is not there to, and he is not going to, produce Big Ten championships and CFP success.  He is there for three, four, maybe five years to improve the team.  A bunch of coaches and players from Utah will not be a long-term solution.  But he is right:  you've got to get rid of the discontents.

3.  AD Manuel is not going to relinquish the money, power, and arrogance.  

4.  The rest is just a blur.  Underwood has not improved and no one will challenge him.  Wink Martindale seems to have a lot of problems, or hostility, or selfishness and the same goes for almost everyone else.  I don't know what the deal is with Steve Casula, or Poggi, or Jordan Marshall, etc. also.  I do know they don't have a quarterback, or running back, or tight ends, there's one good receiver, and the secondary--safeties and cornerbacks--is extremely vulnerable.  And the d-line is not good.  

That's all I've got.

Edit.  5.  What a mess Sherrone Moore created.  Manuel hired and supported him. Then he closed his ears and eyes to all the sh*t going on.

--

Maize n Brew Portal Tracker

 /\ This is the best source and the comments there are usually reasonable, unlike another popular Michigan blog.  

Here is a little image from that other site.  Smart or stupid, I spin through the forum and may learn something new.  This guy, turns out, was a source.  But get used to the picture.

Then I thought, why do I feel like I have done this before?  Ah, AI...

 

It is going to be a sea change.  You can Google the names if you want:  Is (fill in name) Mormon?

Not wise, in my opinion, if you want to beat Indiana, Ohio State, or Oregon.

 

The Cheesy Bowl, Texas 41 Michigan 27

With the third interception it is over.  It was exciting for three and a half quarters.

Texas is missing nine starters (Michigan three) with several in the portal instead of NFL prepping.

For a while it was neck and neck, Underwood vs. Manning.  

Harbaugh then Moore.

For those interested, there will be lots of news:  the internal (i.e., partially objective) investigation, coaching staff, portal in and out, the remaining recruiting class, and of course what happens to the executive secretary, and Sherrone's home, marriage and family.  I know I will hear and read about.  I wish I could ignore it.  Personally, the thing that interests me most is the Matt Weiss case.  When is he going to cop a plea?

One thing that happened again in the game is a half-assed passing attack.  McCulley is out of eligibility; if Marsh and Underwood leave, Michigan is sunk in 2026 without a massive infusion of transfers.  Cliche:  Underwood has promise but right now he is a below average quarterback; he is not a complete game manager and passer.  And Michigan is totally dependent on a great workhorse running back that/who may not be available next year.

Defensively, Michigan got gashed for 235 yards rushing and some big passing plays too.  Secondary speed and tackling is lacking.  Rumors that DC Martindale will be back are nonexistent.  It looks like turmoil there too.

The good news is the Sherrone Moore and hopefully the Harbaugh era too are for the most part over. 

-- 

I already covered the nausea associated with Biff and Warde in the previous post.  I won't dwell on it.

It is disappointing that Bryson Kuzdzal is the only running back.

I never understood the Jaishawn Barham hype going all the way back to Maryland.  Rolder and Sullivan are much better linebackers. 

Can one believe the internet "evidence" that Steve Casula is a complete asshole?  So far the star is Kendrick Bell.  !!! 

I switched from Iowa-Vanderbilt for this?  Iowa held on.  Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea is a composed, somber, polite interview.  Googles "clark lea extension." He has done an amazing job.  Diego Pavia is really exciting.

Iowa is good and has been consistent all year.  QB Gronowski is 24.  Kirk Ferentz is 70.  Iowa is in that next tier of good teams after the elite three (Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon).  USC, Washington, and Illinois are in that next tier too.  Sorry, I don't believe Michigan would be in this tier if not for their cake schedule.  I know, 7-2 in the B1G but they are more on the level of Minnesota, Nebraska, and Northwestern.  That is Sherrone Moore's other legacy.

Oh the sun.  A tough opponent.

Michigan is sort of hanging on.  Texas looks better.  Kuzdzal is not very good and he looks like he is going to get injured.  If Jordan Marshall were playing it would be close.  The box score is telling:  Texas 220 yards, Michigan 120. 

Marsh, McCully, and Underwood are Michigan's best (offensive) playmakers.  But Andrew Marsh disappeared against Ohio State.

Zvada miss.  17-17 halftime.  Michigan closed the yardage gap.

 

Hello Kyle Whittingham

At first I thought WTF!  Five minutes later I thought, pretty OK.  Then and now, when I review the whole dirty situation, I say Brilliant!

Then I heard Warde Manuel (still there) and I almost got sick.  I know these things take finesse, but I read (!) he is a goner.

 Living in Colorado I am perhaps closer, but still distant in philosophy, to Utah than most people.  The populations are still relatively small here.  Utah was the fastest-growing state for years.  It is Morman and very different.

BYU is the U and it is supported/owned by the church.  Everyone is Morman (or knows or wants to live with Mormans) and the University of Utah has a much harder time.  It is not a great school, but the "morality," aka, different lifestyle, catches on.  It is everywhere.

KSL.com and Deseret News are different too, and anyone can read the comments about Whittingham to Michigan.  These people know.  Almost everyone says "I hope he kills it."

And he just may do that.  Positive of course.

Who is the most powerful person on U-M's campus?  The head football coach.  Five years at $8 million a pop means they're serious.

Bye bye gangster players, coaches, and image.

It may take a short while to take out the garbage--the Poggi, Manuel, and others.  But the writing is alredy on the here are already rumors of new staff.  Here's an idea:  Why not put Manuel's desk two feet outside the head coaches door?

More after the jump. 

The minute I laid my eyes on you I knew that you were no good.

 

 “I f—ing love you, man,” Moore said on live TV, tears streaming down his face. “I love the s— out of you, man.”

The Athletic has a composed, journalistic, investigative piece on his downfall.  The incident at Penn State lives in memory.  I was embarrassed.  I could tell it was going to be a long grind.  Post game, or almost any interview or comment, was an exercise in delusion.  Put that together with the weight of the job and the pressure had to be getting to him.

And it is not over.  For Moore, we have yet to see how he will survive and what he will do.  Wife Kelli must have known for a long time.  Three young girls.  She is, of course, living off him.  I have Googled "Sherrone Moore divorce" a number of times because that is what I expect to see.

I thought I had seen mortgage information online in property records.  I'm curious about that too.

Overall, he seemed to be living in the glory, and the glory was fragile or temporary.  

Concubinage, Trinidad and Tobago, mother and aunt in New Jersey and father who knows where.  His entire existence was a lie.  And the work coat--it wasn't a shirt--with Sherrone embroidered on was fake.

He has no resume; former tight ends coach at Central Michigan.  Now everyone knows he is a creepy guy, a liar, and all-around immature and inept.  We're going to see where that lands him.  There is more to come.

It is outrageous that Warde Manuel interviewed no one else then supported the disaster for two years.  Add in the six, eight, or ten firings, arrests, sanctions, etc. over the last few years and there can be no question Manuel is not safe.  The most generous outcome for him has to be a gradual retirement and replacement along with specific oversight.  But a clean break would be best.

From The Athletic piece...  The man didn't audition.  He was suspended and right-hand man involved in everything--that was his experience.

Don't forget it.  Don't sweep it under the rug.  I'm not sick of hearing about it.  Harbaugh could have been stellar, but he chose not to.  Sherrone Moore is one of the sleaziest and incompetent individuals in NCAA football history, and that is saying something. 

Lost in all this is what a bad head coach Sherrone Moore is.  Davis Warren?  2024 was a year of no QB (Orji etc. too) or receivers and a joke of a team (yes we all know the lucky, positive ending).  2025 was a cakewalk schedule and blow-outs against the three decent opponents.  The story of 2025 is a lack of talent; bowl sit-outs may include the three players who could be drafted.  A walk-on running back, two receivers and a freshman QB is not going to cut it against Ohio State.  And two journeyman, no recruiting coordinators is not a good look either.  It is a sad team when Biff Poggi is an upgrade.

Now we know.  His mind, what little there is of it, wasn't even in the game, or team, or school, or his own family.  

What a weird guy.  Never saw him without a Michigan hat, groomed beard, and dark blue Michigan gear.