Wolverine Wednesday: One Door Shuts Completely and Another Opens

I'm fascinated by how the world works sometimes.  Michigan is riding high right now with a fresh National Championship, a new feeling of potential from Spring Practice, a brand new QB commit, and an ugly situation where the old boss avoids jail time but now has 18 months probation.  

Sherrone Moore has zero business being mentioned in this blog or any other Michigan media in my opinion after today.  His time was a complete failure at Michigan and I 100% blame Warde for it.  I know Warde hired Dusty and got him extended and Coach Whitt looks to be the perfect hire, but those couple good deeds does not erase the complete lack of leadership he has shown from his time as AD at Michigan. He has one of the most powerful and coveted jobs in all of college sports and we will see how long that lasts after the investigations closes.  The one that was supposed to be completed in January.    

Sherrone gets 18 months probation and court fines for losing his mind after he was fired.  I don't live in Ann Arbor but if I did, I would consider those 18 months to be 18 months too long to have him in the community.  The best thing for Sherrone and U of M is for him to go away and never come back.  That is it and hopefully that is the last time his name will appear on this blog. 

Now to the good news! 

Michigan received a verbal commit for the 2027 class from 4-star QB Kamden Lopati from Utah.  Kamden was recently an Illinois commit and decommitted earlier this week.  He had a number of suiters but it came down to a Michigan - ND decision and he picked the Wolverines.  He was familiar with Michigan's new staff from their Utah days.  Welcome Kamden!  (and yes Brett Bielema is pissed).

• Another strange story from yesterday.  Iowa has had wins vacated by the NCAA in 2023 after they agreed they tampered with a QB from another school prior to the transfer portal opening.  On a side note, Cade McNamara might of had the worst transfer decision in the history of the program.  If he stayed at Michigan, he would be a National Champion and would've started again after JJ left for the NFL.  He had two historically bad years at Iowa, then finished at East or Middle TN State this past season.  What a second?  He transferred to Iowa right? 👀

• Will Tschetter has signed a pro deal to play is Australia.  Congrats Will, always a Champion! 

Michigan Tuesday: Big Dollars Rolling In The Portal

Michigan's top two targets in the portal were Kansas Big Man Flory Bidunga and still is Wake's Guard/Wing Juke Harris.  Flory signed with Louisville for $5M and reports are that Juke has an offer from UNC for over $5.5M a year.  For example, former Michigan Center Danny Wolf with the NY Nets made $2.8M this past year. 

I'm all for players making money and getting paid market value but the Transfer Portal is becoming NBA Free Agency. 

Still no word on what Rez and Mara are thinking about the NBA Draft.   The whispers are that Rez is seriously considering coming back to Ann Arbor and Mara is strongly considering the NBA Draft.  I believe both are considered back half of the 1st round candidates in the Mock Draft's I've seen.  If Michigan loses both to the NBA, they will need at least 1 more big man out of the portal.  Juke might got through the NBA evaluation process before he commits.

Speaking of the NBA, happy the Pistons are back, but the league as a whole was really bad this season. 

• After a week of The National Championship, Frozen Four, and The Masters.  I'm looking for what's next! Or maybe a vacation! 😀

Michigan Monday: Masters Thoughts and Scrimmage Thoughts

There is an old saying in professional tournament golf, "you can't win the tournament on Thursday but you sure can lose it."  I think Rory might have just been then exception to the rule.  Rory played great golf on Thursday and Friday in Augusta and then held on during Saturday and Sunday as his game went in the other direction.   Rory was -12 on Friday night and Scottie was even.  On Sunday night, Rory was -12 and Scottie was -11.   Rory left the door open for everyone in the field to come get him and many played really well, just none of them were close enough to the lead to over take him.   

Congrats to Rory for going back to back, it was just unfortunate for us fans who wanted some Sunday drama. 

Todd Blackledge is not someone I would consider a college football insider.  He is just a solid color commentator on NBC. Though working for NBC gives him some access to Michigan Football.  Here is a tweet from the weekend:

Felt like a crisp fall morning watching @UMichFootball

scrimmage. Takeaways: *Expect Underwood to make a jump in development under OC Jason Beck & watchful eye of QB coach Koy Detmer. *OL has talent, but must improve as pass protectors. *RB,DL,DB all can be strong groups.

The offensive line Pass Pro is obviously an issue but I'm also wondering who was playing and who wasn't.  This might be the best representation of what we might see next season as the Spring Game is expected to be just a back-up bowl.   It's encouraging to hear Bryce is making progress under the new staff. 

• Michigan Basketball had a great weekend with a Championship Parade!  Though their portal recruitment is off to a bit of shaky start.  Michigan had Juke Harris on campus Saturday for the parade but now reports are that UNC is offering him $5.5M to play for them next season.  Kansas big man Flory Bidunga decided to take the bag from Louisville over Michigan and others.  

• Congrats to JJ and his wife who got married last weekend. 

Michigan Friday: Good News - Bad News Friday

It's always easier to start with the bad news and then you can end with the good.  Michigan Hockey lost in double OT to Denver last night.  Which is such a brutal result for length of game and getting so close to Michigan's second Natty for the week. 

Also big 7'2 German Center Malick Kordel is jumping into the portal.  I thought we were pretty close to seeing Malick get some real time this past season when both Mara and Rez were in foul trouble but we only saw the big man in garbage time.  Good luck to him at his next stop.  

Now to the good news portion of the program:

Elliott Cadeau is back for Michigan.  This wasn't a real mystery as it expected that both Cadeau and McKinney are both back, but its always nice to have an official announcement. 

Also Tennessee 6'11 Forward JP Estrella has committed to Michigan from the portal.  He averaged 10 points and 5 boards per game for the Volunteers.   Welcome JP! 

A number of other transfer portal prospects are expected to be on campus this weekend to witness the Parade and what's it like to be a Michigan Wolverine! 

Have a good weekend and Enjoy the Masters and the National Championship Parade on Saturday!