wtka roundtable
podcasts

WTKA Roundtable 2/17/2022: I Was Waiting for This Comment Count

Seth February 17th, 2022 at 10:34 AM

Things discussed:

  • Harbaugh’s contract: Waiting to see the details. If it’s a big buyout the NFL dalliance is over.

And after we recorded the details dropped.

  • Was it the end? Probably only because the NFL passed. Oakland, Miami, New York, Chicago were this cycle, Detroit was last year, his guy at Jacksonville just came to Michigan…short of Indianapolis or something happening to his brother that’s every franchise Harbaugh’s affiliated with.
  • Who’s going to be quarterback next year? There will be a battle all offseason to keep both, but we are hoping it’s McCarthy because that means he’s gotten better than the starting QB of the Big Ten champions. Ratio changes, but into the season (which has a very gentle ramp-up) both guys will play.
  • NIL: States amending/repealing legislation? They were being reactive, especially Ohio/Alabama who tried to maintain the status quo as long as they could. States with no laws (e.g. Texas) are in the best shape now, but that wasn’t the reality before the NCAA waived their hands. Not reacting to the laws; they’re reacting to the recruiting.
  • How much money is actually going around? More than there was before.
  • Hoops: Michigan got great shots in both games, they didn’t go in vs OSU. Craig: was there an officiating disparity? Yes.
  • Michigan’s so hot and cold that they are going to drop more games than they should. Favored in 4/7 but only by a little bit.
  • NBA decisions? Dickinson isn’t on draft boards: need to show him there’s enough NIL money to change his math. Diabate: Probably gone, because an NBA team will want to develop his talent and he can’t NIL being an international player, even though he’s the perfect example of a guy who can increase his draft stock immensely by staying in school. Houstan: doesn’t have much choice because he isn’t an NBA player at this point.
  • Hockey: Minnesota survived without their Olympians, Michigan has their work cut out to keep up because OSU and ND are tough series to finish and they have a 2-point cushion. MSU is so bad.
[Hit the JUMP for the player, and video and stuff]

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

Segment two is available here. And you can watch the video here:

The Usual Links:

I shouldn’t say ‘we.’

Comments

Kevin13

February 17th, 2022 at 11:44 AM ^

Yes all of our players should be on their way home now. Might not be out of the question that they play Saturday but definitely will be playing against ND

i think the QB battle will be very good next year and will make both players better   I’m going to guess JJ wins it though as I think he has a higher ceiling and our offense will have a few more options with him running it 

Joined: 01/26/2016

MGoPoints: 16040

raleighwood

February 17th, 2022 at 12:41 PM ^

Do you think that Cade comes back if JJ is the presumed starter out of Spring Camp?  He's been the starting QB on a Final Four team.  He also has two years of eligibility remaining.  He could probably have several transfer options.....including Miami (where his former OC resides).   

I'm sure that the coaching staff will call it a "competition"....but Cade will know where he stands and make the best decision for himself based on that.

 

Joined: 11/26/2008

MGoPoints: 4710

MGlobules

February 17th, 2022 at 11:35 AM ^

The fact that the early-season sked should be forgiving could mean that JJ--if he is the real heir apparent--takes over from jump, is allowed to make his mistakes. Could mean the staff is less uncomfortable if Cade goes. 

I'm maybe growing conservative, but JJ's occasional wildness will be a red flag for me until such time as he has played a really successful game, more or less end to end. Why--meantime--Cade would stick around when he was, as pointed out, the QB of the B1G champion--is an open question. (If it's loyalty, I'll take it, but that's in increasingly short supply.) 

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 47666

Gustavo Fring

February 17th, 2022 at 12:08 PM ^

Not sure I agree about the NBA projections.  I think Hunter is gone, because he did the big thing NBA teams wanted him to do (add a three point shot) and it's unclear what more he can add to his game to raise his stock.  The only thing that could bring him back (besides possibly NIL) is the fact that this is a kinda deep draft at the center position.

For all Houstan's struggles, he's still being projected as a late 1st/early 2nd round pick.  Jonathan Wasserman had him at 35 in his last big board.  He's at 26 on the CBS Big Board.  If he can maintain this shooting, the top line numbers and performance in HS will probably convince a team to draft him in that range and I think that will be enough for him to go.

Moussa, on the other hand, is not being projected consistently high.  Wasserman did not have him in his top 50.  CBS has him at 39. As I mentioned, this is a pretty deep draft for bigs.  While Moussa's mobility, footwork, and finishing ability is tantalizing, he's still a bit of a tweener and his jump shot is not a threat right now.  He could benefit a lot from being featured in a Hunter-less offense with an improved jump shot and more strength.  

Personally, I'd put the odds at:

75-25 in favor Hunter leaving

65-35 in favor of Houstan leaving

40-60 for Moussa (40% chance he leaves)

In any case, the future ceiling of this team will depend on how much Frankie Collins and Kobe Bufkin can improve.  Michigan should be improved on the wings next year whether or not Houstan returns.  Jace has developed well, Williams has improved too (even though he's inconsistent), and Jett Howard should come in ready to play.  All three are significantly better athletes than Houstan and the defense should be better.  If Moussa comes back the defensive ceiling is much higher, but even if not, Tarris Reed has good mobility for a 5, and again with the improved wing play (and improved POA D from Collins), Michigan can put together a good D.

But to maintain or improve on this offense (and be more consistent), they need the kind of elite pick and roll ability a fully realized Collins can provide.  They need the shooting and slashing of ceiling Kobe Bufkin. If those two do not take that jump and it looks more like sophomore Walton/Irvin, next year will be a struggle.

Joined: 09/29/2009

MGoPoints: 5175

MGoLow

February 17th, 2022 at 1:03 PM ^

Man, I think it's bonkers to kid ourselves that any of Hunter, Caleb, or Diabate are coming back. Just sounds out of touch. I mean yeah, it would be awesome. But I think we should assume all 3 are gone. 

Joined: 02/06/2013

MGoPoints: 2217

matty blue

February 17th, 2022 at 1:28 PM ^

seth suggests that dickinson might stay because he likes being "the best athlete at michigan," among other reasons.

i take your meaning, seth - he's the highest-profile athlete here (at least until JJ wins the 2022 heisman), but there are at least a couple of hockey players and a women's hoops player that are better athletes in their sport.

i hope he sticks around, tho.

Joined: 08/01/2008

MGoPoints: 39201