1 hour and 38 minutes

The Sponsors

Thank you to Underground Printing for making this all possible. Rishi and Ryan have been our biggest supporters from the beginning. Check out their wide selection of officially licensed Michigan fan gear at their 3 store locations in Ann Arbor or learn about their custom apparel business at undergroundshirts.com.

Our associate sponsors are: Peak Wealth Management, HomeSure Lending, Ann Arbor Elder Law, Michigan Law Grad, Human Element, The Phil Klein Insurance Group, Venue by 4M where we recorded this, TicketIQ! and The Nose Bleeds, which is the Sklars Bros’ reboot of Cheap Seats on UFC Fight Pass.

1. Michigan Hockey vs Penn State and Colgate

starts at 1:00

Michigan's first overtime regional final victory since the 1998 game, turns out Michigan can actually win in OT in the tournament! Mackie Samoskevich scores the game-winner on his emblematic shot - can't believe that stick didn't snap in half. The past month this team has put old demons to rest and continue to do so. Adam Fantilli's game-tying shots was millimeters away from missing, add that to the three posts that haunt Brian's soul. The Penn State game actually sold out in Allentown, the Colgate game attendance was depressing. We've seen Portillo struggle at times but giving up two goals in two games in the playoffs is notable. Colgate - most goals in a tournament game since 1961. The arena was so empty for this game that the ESPN microphones were picking up the banter between teams. 

[The rest of the writeup and the player after THE JUMP]

2. Looking at the Frozen Four

starts at 30:43

Frozen Four features the #1, #2, #3, and #5 overall seeds - the opposite of basketball. Looking at Quinnipiac - Alex has gained respect for them after watching them more. Brian has lost respect for them. Quinnipiac takes a small lead and then turtles the rest of the game. Gotta feel good about Michigan's chances if Michigan takes a lead in this one. The Bobcats only averages 6.9 penalty minutes per game, so getting back into the game with power plays will not be reliable. Common opponents: series split with Colgate (W 3-2, L (2OT) 1-2), series sweep of Harvard (4-1, 3-0). Michigan won a weird game where Boston took concurrent major penalties and went up 4-0 in the first period, Boston wins the next night 3-2. All things considered, Boston looked like the better team over that weekend. That was also an October series so these are two different teams by now. They beat Notre Dame 5-2, beat Harvard 2-1 in OT, and beat WMU 5-1 in the first round of the tournament. Michigan lost a series to Minnesota while Michigan's roster was sick. Split the series with them later in the season and then Michigan out-played them in the Big Ten Tournament. Maybe give Michigan a slight edge since this game wouldn't be at Minnesota or on Olympic ice. 5-on-5, we like Michigan's chances against all of these teams. 
 

3. Football Recruiting

starts at 1:07:02

Brian is in Switzerland, Seth is on his way to LA, your podcast editor is in Colorado. Brandyn Hillman was a nice gift from Notre Dame admissions, moving Michigan's class up a spot in the 2023 rankings to #17 on 247. He'll probably project as a box safety. 2024 class added Jordan Marshall, a head-to-head recruiting win over Ohio State for a guy from Ohio (Michigan's first such win since... Dymonte Thomas??). Ohio State figured they would get this guy and they really wanted him. Huge win for Mike Hart as a recruiter, too. Taylor Tatum, a top-50 runnign back, is also getting a Michigan crystal ball. Ben Roebuck is the 3rd offensive lineman, a solid 3.5 star ish guy. Jadyn Davis is committing on March 31st and all signs point to Michigan. Michigan is stealing Ohio State targets but Ohio State will probably be fine. Michigan State has two commits and just fired their recruiting coordinator.

4. Spring Game Preview

starts at 1:30:25

There has been very little chatter coming out of practice. Everyone wants to see what Amorion Walker looks like. Is he really that good or he just the next one ahead of everyone else who aren't that great. Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham will be fun to watch having taken the freshman leap. Should see Colston Loveland shine but he had foot surgery, curious to see what AJ Barner looks like. None of the offensive lineman transfers are available. Keep an eye on Semaj Morgan. 

MUSIC:

• "Black Sheep"--Metric (Scott Pilgrim version)
• "Staying Alive"--Cursive
• "Fly in the Ointment"--Faces
• “Across 110th Street”

THE USUAL LINKS:

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

 

I can't believe it didn't explode, but that's what you get for $400 I guess.