Things discussed:

• Dropping the hammer on Maryland. This team can stay in games thanks to defense, offense still feels like it can go on and off.
• How better on defense? 1) Z is a much better on-ball defender than Walton ever was. 2) Yaklich is moneyballing, forcing defenses into lower efficiency shots: funnel to the posts, prevent threes and transition. Cut out most of the hard hedging to make it more effective. Ability to switch to versions of 2-3 zones when a matchup gets exploited.
• Michigan’s entered the Big Ten season with good defensive rebounding before but it’s never stayed this good.
• Iowa: They don’t play defense. Brian hates it when Michigan plays vs a zone. Garza is not a terrible offensive team but they do turn the ball over a lot. Make your threes, make your free throws (ED: prescient, guys)
• Things for Matthews to work on over the offseason: driving to shoot, and hands.
• If M gets to MSU Sam likes the matchup: Cassius Winston is at the perfect place but Michigan was able to take Jaren Jackson out of the lane—would MSU play JJJ at the five again? Get JJJ in some foul trouble (maybe in the NCAAs, the Big Ten isn’t going to call him).
• Hockey tournament: The Midwest regional is in Philly. In the Allentown Arena. Geez, NCAA. At least the Big Ten figured it out. Michigan probably in the tournament despite missing Will Lockwood. Michigan’s penalty kill gives up shots from right inside the blue line and that’s not a shot you want to give up. Great year for a house money year. Quinn Hughes is a pirate. Win one they’re in; win two and they might get a better seed.

You can catch the entire episode on Michigan Insider's podcast stream on Audioboom.

Segment two is here. Segment three is here.

THE USUAL LINKS

• Helpful iTunes subscribe link
• General podcast feed link
• Direct download link
• What's with the theme music?

south dakota and philly, woohoo