Wolverine Wednesday: A European Disaster

College Basketball teams take trips to Europe to experience new cultures and visits countries they have never been to before.  They also get a ton of extra practices and the ability to play together for the first time against some strong opponents.   That was the plan when Dusty put this trip together.  

Well the outcome was much different then the intent.  Dusty is in Dallas and Michigan played 3 physical basketball teams and came away with a devastating injury.  5-star Brandon McCoy tore his ACL just seconds into Game 3 when he slipped and fell on the way to the basket.   Brandon was clearly going to be a starter, back up ball handler, and defensive stopper.  Yes, he would contribute on offense as he worked on his outside shooting.   He was clearly going to be Michigan's X-factor next season.  Now, he will just get to watch.  

Michigan is in trouble at the back up point.  Can the Columbia transfer fill that role?  He did not play in Europe or can Roddy Gayle come back for another year?  There are more questions then answers for the Wolverines right now.  This is pretty bad news for Mike Boynton who is on a 2-year make it or break it contract and who will have a new boss soon as well.   ACL's now have cost Michigan 2 starters for next season's squad. LJ who is in Miami and now McCoy.  Maybe Dusty can send Rez back?

Tomorrow we get the first Big Ten Week 1 predictions.  I know many of you won't sleep tonight with gleeful anticipation for the post to drop! 😂

• There is starting to be some question around next year's Michigan @ Texas game.  Michigan has moved the EMU game into the spot when Michigan was expected to travel to Austin.   Canceling this game does make some sense for both sides.   Both teams are now playing an extra conference game and Michigan just played Texas in the Citrus Bowl, after hosting them two years ago.   Yes, its good for the game to have match-ups like this, but is the juice worth the squeeze if both teams want to make the playoffs? The game could also be re-scheduled for another year or another date that season. 

Michigan Tuesday: September Roddy?

Roddy Gayle Jr. is suing the NCAA like everyone else to be able to come back to Michigan Basketball for another year and play on this years team.  The team does have a scholarship open when LJ decided to recover from his ACL on South Beach.  

Best of luck to him getting the outcome that we want for his return.  Not sure how the new Big Ten rule about Pro contracts would work since Roddy played in the Summer League.    The LSU NFL players are in camp and preparing for a game against Clemson this weekend. 

I'm still worried about the McCoy injury update, whenever that comes out. 

Coach Whitt did his game week presser on Monday and came out with a few nuggets:

• He is still not planning on releasing a depth chart.  I thought that was a rule now.  

• He did mention on his radio show that Goodwin won the #3 WR spot, I expect we will see a ton of WR's this year.  

• Tommy Carr is the #2 QB right now 

• Andrew Babalola continues his health issues and will not be available on Saturday. 

• John Henry Daley is 100% recovered and a full go! 

• Nate Marshall hasn't gotten a ton of camp buzz, but Coach said he had a good camp and will be a big factor this season.   If you remember he was a borderline 5-star a year ago. 

Michigan Monday: Welcome to Game Week

This is what we wait for all off season, Michigan Game Week and it's finally here!  Let's go! 

In traditional fashion let's look at this week's opponent in the Too Early Look:

Western Michigan Broncos

Record: 0-0 

Non-Conference Games after Michigan: Monmouth, Rice, and, Boise State 

2025 Stats:

Pass: 138 yards per (131th in the country)

Rush: 204 Per (16th)

Points scored: 24.9 (96th)

Points given up: 17.4 (9th) 

It's not a mystery on what the Broncos want to do.  They like to run the ball and play really good defense. Both stats were in the top 20 of all college football last year.  They were 10-4 as MAC 2025 Champions with a win in the Bowl Game.  

They played 2 Big Ten Teams last season, lost to both MSU 23-6 and Illinois 38-0.   This is no cake walk for the Wolverines on Saturday night.  This is a good physical match-up before The Sooners come to town.

• This weekend was a difficult weekend for many former Wolverine Football players, who go cut by NFL teams.  The list I've seen includes the following: Junior Colson (Chargers), Rayshaun Benny (Ravens), Ronnie Bell (Saints), Ryan Hayes (Carolina), Myles Hinton (Eagles), Greg Crippen (Steelers), Andrew Stueber Falcons), Donovan Edwards (Dolphins), Hassan Haskins (Patriots), Mazi Smith (Jets), and Ambry Thomas (Eagles).   Let's hope each find a spot on the practice squad or decide to find a new way to make a living that is less stressful on their bodies.  Reportedly 40 Wolverines made rosters. 

• Z won the Giants kicking job. 

Michigan Friday: A Win but a Loss

Michigan Basketball got its first win in its last game in Europe.  Michigan beat The Serbian Club Mega SuperBet 84-81.  McKenney lead the team with 25 points, JP had 16, and EC finished with 15 points.  Michigan got to play a lot of players in this game including Harrison Hochberg, Malachi Brown, and Moeller got over 26 minutes at Center.  

The loss comes with a potential serious knee injury to superstar 5-star true Freshman Brandon McCoy. Who slipped and went down only seconds into the game and had to be carried off the floor.  I don't expect to hear the severity of the injury until the team gets back home and can do MRI's etc.  Either way it did not look good. 

Starting tomorrow Michigan Football will be a week away from playing a real football game in the Big House.  It's time to identify the starters, the 2 deep, and put the game plan in for Western Michigan. 

• Warde is back on Sam Webb radio this morning talking about leaving with his head held high and will always be a Michigan Fan.  He does not deserve a long goodbye.  Just go big man.

Enjoy Week 0 games on Saturday.  The best game of the day might be the night game between Memphis at UNLV at 10 PM EST.  NC State vs. Virginia is also an ACC conference game.  I don't have high expectations for UNC vs. TCU in Dublin.