Michigan

Michigan infield set up for success ahead of season

Published

1 year ago

February 13, 2025

Michigan infield set up for success ahead of season

It’s no secret that Michigan’s baseball team’s roster was stretched thin last season. With a short list of productive pitchers, the Wolverines were forced to make tough decisions concerning what role each athlete would fill including using some position players on the mound. But with a more complete bullpen featuring incoming freshmen and new pickups in the transfer portal, Michigan’s infield is set up for success.

“Because of the lack of depth on the roster, we’ve had to force guys into either playing or pitching, and sometimes that goes against the development path,” Wolverines’ coach Tracy Smith said Friday. “… We actually said, ‘You know what, we’ve got really good freshman infielders coming in. But boy, wouldn’t it be nice if we could go get some middle guys that have some experience to allow these guys to progress into the role at a pace that maybe is more appropriate for them.’ ”

Combining for 86 double plays last season, then-graduates Kyle Dernedde and Mack Timbrook anchored Michigan’s defense playing shortstop and second base, respectively. With their graduation from the program, the already-overextended roster was left in dire straits. However, with some savvy moves in the transfer portal and recruitment from high school, Smith acquired the talent to fill Dernedde and Timbrook’s shoes.

This new talent includes the pair of shortstops, graduate Benny Casillas and freshman Tyler Inge. Casillas helped Loyola Marymount best Michigan at shortstop last season, 9-1, in which he recorded two RBIs. In his last season with the Lions, Casillas started 50 of 52 games, recording only 10 errors. Inge, hailing from Brighton, Mich., holds his high school’s single season hit record

“Objectively, at the end of the day, Benny Casillas is going to start his shortstop for us at the open,” said Smith. “Benny had a very consistent fall. … I think Tyler’s got a bright, bright future ahead of him, not only in Michigan, but certainly at the next level.”

Michigan also acquired sophomore Colby Turner from San Diego State. Turner was a utility player for the Aztecs, playing outfield, first base and third base, but with the Wolverines, Turner will be primarily playing in the infield.

Even without the portal though, Michigan retained some of their talent in the infield. With projected starters at second and third base, junior Mitch Voit and senior Cole Caruso, respectively, provide needed continuity for a team with 11 transfer portal players and 11 freshmen.

“Obviously (Dernedde and Timbrook) are two unbelievable players, great defenders,” Caruso said Friday. “We did a good job filling the void with them. Benny at short has done a tremendous job playing there. … Same with second, we have Colby and Mitch as of right now, and they’ve both done a really good job filling that spot.”

Despite losing three of their infielders from last season, the Wolverines hit the recruiting trail both in the portal and out. With newfound depth, infielders will be able to play their positions and play them well.

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Michigan

Trey McKenney to return to Michigan Basketball next season, per report

Published

9 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Trey McKenney to return to Michigan Basketball next season, per report

In the middle of what’s been an incredible season for the Michigan men’s basketball team, Dusty May and the program are now confirmed to be bringing back a big contributor for next season. According to a report from Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, freshman guard Trey McKenney is set to be back with the Wolverines next year.

“We’re going to have a really talented team next year,” McKenney told Garcia. “I came in with a role this year and I think my role would definitely expand next year, so I’m definitely looking forward to coming back.”

McKenney joined the program this offseason as a prized five-star recruit in the Wolverines’ 2025 recruiting class. So far he’s lived up to the billing, coming off the bench to average 9.7 points per game, but shooting an impressive 38.5 percent from three-point range this year. He has already asserted himself as one of the team’s best shooters.

In addition to his offensive game, he’s gotten after it on the defensive end as well and has been regularly on the floor to close games this season. We’ve seen McKenney’s role slowly grow, especially in the absence of fellow guard L.J. Cason, who has missed the last month and is set to miss all of next season with an ACL tear.

By cementing his status with the program, McKenney is a great foundation for what the team hopes to build next season. He’ll likely step into a starting role as the Michigan’s shooting guard, while May and company also look to get players like Elliot Cadeau, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara back in the fold.

Michigan will get a shot to fill out the rest of its roster when the transfer portal opens up on April 7, just one day after the National Championship.

For now though, McKenney and the Wolverines will focus on punching their ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 2018 by defeating Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.

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Michigan women’s basketball vs. Louisville in Sweet 16: Time, TV, stream

Published

21 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Michigan women’s basketball vs. Louisville in Sweet 16: Time, TV, stream

When the Sweet 16 continues on Saturday during the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan women’s basketball (27-6) will continue its climb to reach the Final Four for the first time.

The Wolverines, who earned the No. 2 seed in the Fort Worth 3 Region, are playing in the program’s third Sweet 16 under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.

“We committed to Michigan to do this, and we committed to Coach Arico to do it for her and for each other,” Michigan guard Olivia Olson said. “We’re accomplishing the goals we set out to, and we’re not done yet. So we’re going to keep having fun with it and keep preparing.”

Michigan will take on No. 3 Louisville Cardinals (29-7) at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

“This is my first time going to the Sweet 16, all of our first times, so I think the feeling of, we’re still dancing, we’re still playing basketball, it’s a great feeling,” Louisville guard Taj Roberts said.

The winner from Saturday’s matchup will play in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 30, for the right to advance to the Final Four.

What time is Michigan vs. Louisville?

Date: Saturday, March 28
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)

The Michigan Wolverines will play the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Michigan vs. Louisville: TV, streaming

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Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land

The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.

The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.

Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.

See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here