Kellen Voss Stops By to Evaluate Dusty May and the Michigan Basketball Team

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Michigan basketball coach Dusty May is off to a fast start in year 1. Photo: Getty

In the latest episode of the Blue Wall, host Michael Smeltzer is joined by Kellen Voss from Maize ‘N Brew to discuss the Michigan Wolverines’ basketball season under head coach Dusty May. The team currently holds a 16-5 record and is preparing to face Oregon this Wednesday. Michael and Kellen analyze the team’s performance, evaluate key players, and assess their prospects for the upcoming March Madness tournament. They provide an in-depth look at the roster, leaving no aspect of Michigan basketball unexamined as the season progresses.

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Where Does Michigan Stand With Bryce Underwood?

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With Michigan at a crucial recruiting crossroads, securing Bryce Underwood would be a game-changing move.

With Michigan at a crucial recruiting crossroads, securing Bryce Underwood would be a game-changing move, one that could validate Sam Webb’s prediction and make up for the program’s recent recruiting frustrations. But without a marquee quarterback signing, Michigan’s recruiting resurgence could fall short of its potential. For Michigan, it’s all eyes on Underwood as he heads to LSU this weekend, where the Tigers may get the final say in his recruitment. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: Michigan needs to put its NIL resources to use and secure a high-powered quarterback, whether it’s Underwood or another top target.

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Where Should Michigan Football Go From Here? – Coach Edition

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Sherrone Moore may be forced to make some difficult decisions related to his coaching staff in the near future.

One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. With that in mind, rolling into next season with the exact same coaching staff is unlikely to solve Michigan’s issues. A shakeup is almost inevitable, but I don’t expect head coach Sherrone Moore to be on the chopping block just yet. It’s unrealistic to expect Michigan to fire Moore this early into his tenure, but it’s fair to start assessing his staff and identifying where change is needed.

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Where Does Michigan Football Go From Here? – Quarterback Edition

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Jack Tuttle did not instill confidence in the Michigan fanbase during his inconsistent first start against Illinois.

This offseason, Michigan’s coaching staff made a bold decision: to not heavily pursue the transfer portal for a quarterback. In an era where quarterbacks transfer annually and can transform a team instantly, head coach Sherrone Moore and offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell chose to stand by their current roster. The Michigan faithful were assured that athletic quarterback Alex Orji had made significant strides in practice and that his passing ability would surprise everyone. However, the season’s start has shown otherwise, and Michigan is now left searching for answers under center.

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Washington Preview: What to Look For Heading into the National Championship Rematch

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Giles Jackson started his college career with the Wolverines in 2019 and 2020, is now in his sixth season and is enjoying a career year.

This Saturday night, the Michigan Wolverines travel to Seattle for a primetime showdown against the Washington Huskies in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s National Championship game. Michigan took home the title last season, but both teams are under new leadership with new head coaches and retooled rosters. Still, the stakes are high as Washington looks for vengeance, eager to erase the memories of their championship loss.

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A Walkthrough of the USC Game Experience at the Big House

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Being there in person for Michigan’s 27-24 victory over USC was a surreal experience, one that will stick with me for a long time. The game marked the first-ever “Stripe Out” at the Big House, with alternating sections of maize and blue lighting up the stadium. The fans did an incredible job with the stripe-out—I’d give it a solid 9 out of 10. And while the fan participation was great, the most important thing was that Michigan got the win.

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It’s Alex Orji Time: Is This The Spark Michigan Football Needs?

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Alex Orji was named Michigan's starting quarterback on Monday by head coach Sherrone Moore.

In a move that has sparked a mix of excitement and uncertainty among Michigan fans, head coach Sherrone Moore announced on Monday that junior quarterback Alex Orji will take over as the starting quarterback, replacing Davis Warren. The decision comes on the heels of Michigan’s sluggish start to the season, which includes a double-digit loss to Texas in Week 2, leaving the Wolverines in need of a spark as they head into Big Ten play.

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Michigan’s Formidable Defensive Line Got Pushed Around By Texas

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Mason Graham and Derrick Moore, pictured here, struggled to keep up with the Texas offensive line.

From the opening snap, it was clear that Texas’ offensive line came to play, pushing Michigan’s vaunted defensive line around with ease. What had been one of Michigan’s biggest strengths was neutralized as the Texas O-line opened up running lanes and gave quarterback Quinn Ewers ample time to throw. The Wolverines’ front seven, which had dominated in the past, was rendered almost invisible. Linebackers like Ernest Hausman and Jaishawn Barham, both expected to be key playmakers, were rarely mentioned throughout the game, a testament to just how effectively Texas controlled the line of scrimmage.

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Was Will Johnson Playing With His Food Against Fresno State?

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Will Johnson appeared to be "playing with his food" last Saturday against Fresno State.

The one surprising vulnerability on Michigan’s defense during the first three quarters against Fresno State was All-American cornerback Will Johnson. Known for his lockdown coverage, Johnson uncharacteristically allowed several big plays, giving receivers more space than we’re accustomed to seeing from him. On a few occasions, he seemed a step behind, raising some concerns among fans watching the game.

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Michigan’s O-line Needs Work, but it’s Not Time to Panic

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Dom Giudice was up and down in his first start for Michigan.

This lack of cohesion on the offensive line was somewhat reminiscent of last season when Michigan also faced early struggles up front. However, that line eventually found its groove, contributing to Michigan’s national championship run. So, while there’s certainly work to be done, it’s not time to panic just yet. The key will be for this unit to develop chemistry and improve quickly, especially with a tough matchup against Texas on the horizon.

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