I took some time to think about what is being said about the posting of basketball threads and such.

I have concluded that if football can have separate threads being posted about various things then basketball can happen too, even if the team is not good.

HOWEVER, I can't allow multiple threads about the same thing. I've done the same with football so both are equal. Yes, we know the team stinks, no, we don't know what's next with Juwan Howard. A post after every game about the same subject matter is beating a dead horse, that is what the live thread is for.

Questions, breakdowns and opinions are perfectly fine, nor am I looking to silence anyone that wants to talk about basketball. We all know football is king but there are some out there who have passions elsewhere and that's perfectly fine, we cannot shame others for being interested in teams that aren't good.

I am not accusing anyone of anything, nor am I saying don't speak about basketball, but talk about the program is allowed. We just can't keep posting the same rumor over and over that's been going around. We know Manuel needs to talk to Howard, nothing will happen until then.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to reach out. This isn't something I am going to publicly shame anyone over or have the thought of a ban loom over your head. We're all adults here. We can talk things out.

Hope this helps.

“Chasing the bag” sounds increasingly like something very few recruits are engaged in. And it makes sense given most schools don’t have donors willing to give tens of millions.

From The Athletic’s interviews with participants in the Under Armour All-American game:

Did you sign with the school that offered you the best NIL deal? If not, how much did you leave on the table to sign with where you ultimately decided to go?

• It wasn’t a big difference for me in terms of the total package. All the schools offered about $300,000 to $400,000 per year with the ability to earn more.

• I left some money on the table, about $50,000. But I signed with my dream school.

• The dollar figures were similar so NIL wasn’t a priority for me. I’m worried about the big bucks later. My relationship with the coaches, watching them practice and seeing it was really was the biggest factor.

• I had another school offer me the same NIL deal in total, but with a signing bonus. The signing bonus would’ve been basically a really nice car. The NIL deal is like an NFL rookie contract. I had an agent handle it all for me. As soon as NIL came out, my dad was like, “You need an agent.” When schools call, they have the position coach, head coach and the money man from the collective call you. That last guy is the one who talks about NIL with the agent.

• I signed with the team that gave me the best chance to make the NFL, not the most NIL money.

• I didn’t sign with the school who offered me the biggest NIL deal I could’ve gotten, but coming from where I come from, any money I receive from a college is life-changing money.

• I signed completely off the bond I built with coaches. I didn’t start talking about NIL until recently. I’ll be making about $80,000 to $100,000 per year. A couple other schools had similar offers.

• No, I didn’t. I signed with (my school) and they gave me like $90,000. I feel like it’s not really about the money for me and I like (my school). … I want to say (my best offer was about) $200,000. They came in the process late and (my school) was there since my freshman year so it was easy.


• I didn’t sign with the school who offered the biggest deal. In total, it was probably about $300,000 in difference for the three years. Why did I go to the school offering less money? Because in the long run I could go somewhere where I can stay focused — not be distracted — and get on the field right away.

• I signed with the school who offered me the best NIL deal. Other schools threw a lot of big numbers out, but the school I signed with I trusted I’d get the money because I saw other guys got it.

• I left some money on the table. I didn’t bring up NIL until my official visits. One team told me if I committed early and helped bring other guys in, they’d give me $40,000 a month up until I signed. But I didn’t sign with them.

• To be honest, I didn’t. I don’t really look at all that stuff right now. I (chose) the school that, I wouldn’t say showed the best love, but it was a school where I just really liked being around the people and I felt like I could make an impact there. … I’ll get (NIL) later on. I think I’m looking to invest in myself now and then get a bigger bag later on.

• I’m not sure. I didn’t really ask about NIL, money-wise. That wasn’t really on my mind. I knew it was gonna come, but I just wasn’t really concerned about

you need to step your games up. That a problem for this paying member.

M baseball starts its home season this Wednesday (I know, why not today when it is 70).

They play Oakland at 3PM. BTN+ will cover the game, FWIW.

M is 4-8 on the season which is somewhat disappointing IMO having beat USC & UCLA but losing to UC Irvine and San Diego.

Game time temps expected to be in the low 50's. Still not bad for March 6th.

this weekend M travels to South Carolina to play 3 against Coastal Carolina before returning home for a Tuesday (3/12) game vs Toledo.

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I like this move, it starts and ends before the December portal period opens up. There's too much craziness between finalizing classes and handling departures, so this is good for the sanity of the coaches.

If the recruits would like a third signing period to wrap up their recruiting process sooner, I'm all for it.

How the hell has that been 10 years ago?

Such a fun team.

Felt like a pretty athletic team and so well coached.

Had some struggles early, but it wasn't as bad as I remembered in retrospect.

Stauskas was so filthy. Cold blooded.

I read an article on how Altius and Learfield have signed contracts with Michigan. The article describes that both the organizations have “executive general managers” as will the football operation… or does that person also serve other men’s and women’s sports? There’s no explanation of the relationship of the athletes with the NIL donors or the new football executive general manager or the consultants. In fact the description is written in skillful and unintelligible corporate-speak that many here have become frustratingly accustomed to. It describes a “dotted line” reporting relationship to Warde Manuel. Of course we all know where he stands on NIL.

I think a simple clear cut explanation of Michigan’s new NIL program and organization might be a good subject for discussion here. Other than several executive general managers, a couple of consulting firms (who will profit from the program, of course), and a “dotted line” to Warde Manuel (suggesting he’s still maintaining control of Michigan’s NIL), the explanation of our NIL program is unintelligible.

Discussion here? How about limiting the posts to factual explanations of how the program will work and who reports to whom and who really is in control?

My good news is the staff is coming together; the Michigan players dominated the combine.

I bought two new pairs of shoes.

I'm finally taking more time away from the office. Yay!

Daylight Savings Time is almost back.

What's your good news?

Go Blue!

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Play tonight in the Big Ten tournament @ 9 pm EST at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Let's hope our lady Wolverines represent UM well in the Big Ten tournament!!! Go Blue 〽️🏀

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Ty Jackson is one of the most coveted linebackers in this class. He's from Florida, where Jean-Mary recruits well.
Jackson recently released a top 10 that included Alabama, Georgia, Florida schools, and Tennesee.
Will be interesting to see if his interest follows BJM to Ann Arbor and if the Wolverines get a look.

How do you lose both starters at LB and not worry? Add Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham in the portal.
Why they are the next dynamic duo for Michigan Football, the depth behind them, and the X Factor who could carve out his own role in the defense.
🔗🔽

I have been reading quite a bit about JJ's draft prospects recently and almost cannot believe that there are probably more draft analysts questioning his arm strength than calling it a plus. How is this possible? Seriously, what games are they watching? Do they watch football at all? How are they not embarrassed to write/say this?

This is from the analyst overview on his NFL.com draft profile (written by Lance Zierlein):

"Enigmatic quarterback lacking the measurables and splash throws associated with early round quarterbacks...McCarthy lacks frame thickness and a plus arm."

Many people do not realize that they test quarterback ball velocity at the combine because the NFL for whatever reason does not make this data readily available. Well, here are the three highest velocities measured dating all the way back to the 2008 combine (literally hundreds of QBs tested):

Josh Allen 62 mph
Joe Milton 62 mph
JJ McCarthy 61 mph

He literally has the third highest velocity ever recorded at the event (among available data) and he is deemed to not have a plus arm. If you are aware of physics, ball speed = arm strength. There is no other real factor to consider. (Also funny that we get to claim 2/3 according to the logic of OSU fans claiming Joe Burrow in the NFL)

The QB competition will be epic. With a Orgi, Denghl (sp?), Davis, Warren, etc I am sure we will see a variety of plays within the scheme to highlight these different QB's strengths. Will be an interesting spring game. Then before we can say summer vacation, it will be time to kick off the 24 season. WOW, what a wild ride my friend's.

Winning coach at a top academic school.

I'm just gonna go ahead and throw this out there now. JJ is going top 3 in the draft. The media/scouts/GM's etc just needed to see him in person and meet him to change the narrative. His skills/age/character are too much to pass up. Williams is gonna be a bust he's got major character flaws. Wouldn't be surprised at this point if he goes #1 just like Harbaugh said

One of the fastest risers in the South is inside-out LB Luke Mertz, from Georgia, tells Rivals he'll be in Ann Arbor March 15 and 16th. Metz just collected offer No. 30 from Alabama tonight. It's worth noting that he has been a target for Brian Jean-Mary at Tennessee for some time.

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Any idea where the guys got those numbers? And if it is true, doesn't it debunk the narrative that Michigan is terrible at NIL?

Way back last year, I said that UM was going to do NIL differently and their model of taking care of their own returning guys before tossing cash at recruits led them to the NCAA championship.

I don't know per se how people would know what Michigan raises in NIL, or other programs. There's a lot of rumor, but that just is a constant barrage of "Michigan sucks at NIL" with very little proof or examples....just a lot of opinion and "we know it is true, trust us."

Advertising for T2T. Great charity.

4.47 40 Top 15
1.51 10 yard split Top 10
40" vert Top 7
10'11" broad jump Top 5
6.99 3 cone Top 4
20 yard shuttle 4.01 Top 2
Bench 14 Top 5

That's really solid and should shoot is stock up. Good for him!

Nothing of significance just thought I would share a pretty cool story.
Was out to dinner last Friday in Dayton Ohio and had the opportunity to meet Rod and his family. He was kind enough to sign my Championship book and take some pictures with my family. He seemed very upbeat about this year and was pleased with the coaching hires. Great young man. He still can’t believe they won the Natty - still on cloud nine.