Every week during the college basketball season, and every other week during the offseason former Michigan Basketball standout Tim McCormick joins TMI's Sam Webb for a podcast called 'The Michigan Basketball Insider.' Each show offers a deep dive into the X's & O's and statistical analysis from Michigan's games, commentary on college basketball in the Big Ten and beyond, and interviews with subjects from Tim's vast array of contacts.
McCormick spent 10 seasons playing in the NBA after being the no. 12 pick in the 1984 draft. Since completing his pro career, he has worked as a consultant with NBA players for the last two decades teaching strategies to improve performance and achieve greatness. Additionally, Tim also provides color analysis as a broadcaster for ESPN's college basketball coverage and FanDuel Network's Detroit Pistons coverage.
In this episode of The Michigan Basketball Insider, Sam Webb and Tim McCormick react to the no. 1 player in the transfer portal, former UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg choosing Michigan over the NBA despite projections as a late first round draft pick. The conversation highlighted Lendeborg's potential, emphasized Dusty May's successful recruiting strategy, Michigan's depth, and its prime contention with Purdue for the Big Ten title, the Final Four, and much much more.
The contents and full episode notes appear below.
Contents and Episode Notes (Watch the full video on TMI's YouTube channel, here.)
00:00 - Show open – Yaxel Lendeborg chooses Michigan over NBA
Surprise commitment of potential NBA draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg to UM.
Lendeborg's shift from 50/50 to "college feels right" after official visit.
Tim McCormick compares impact to historic UM recruits (Webber, Rice).
Key Takeaway: Dusty May beats NBA/Kentucky/Kansas—an NIL flex.
01:46 - Why Lendeborg's Decision is a Game-Changer
Tim's scouting: NBA-ready skills (15-20 PPG, 10 RPG, Kaufman-Renn physicality).
Dusty's pitch: Lottery pick development (à la Danny Wolf) + B1G title chase.
NIL likely multi-million to offset NBA money.
Sam: "Michigan beat second-round draft money—that's a statement."
06:27 - NIL & Development: How Michigan Beat the NBA
Dusty May's Pitch: "We beat second-round NBA money" with NIL + promised development into a lottery pick (like Danny Wolf).
Lendeborg's Calculus: College offers a chance to boost draft stock ("generational wealth" as a potential top-10 pick) while competing for a B1G title.
Flex: UM's willingness to support him even if he chose the NBA (e.g., staff attended Combine) built rare trust.
11:30 - Position Battles & lineup possibilities
Backcourt: Roddy Gayle (starter), Nimari Burnett (shooter), McKenney's role.
Biggest Hole: Backup PG (LJ Cason's development critical).
Rebounding fix: Lendeborg/Johnson solve last year's Illinois debacle.
17:11 - Dusty May's recruiting masterclass
Recruiting win: Dusty May's decision to publicly support Lendeborg at the NBA Combine – even as NBA teams courted him – proved Michigan's commitment to his development whether he chose college or the pros.
Locked In: May's extension after Indiana rumors shows UM commitment.
McKenney's path: Starts as shooter, but "future face of the program" (Tim).
22:06 - Roster strengths & weaknesses
**Strength:**McKenney provides elite shooting, but neither is a downhill threat to collapse defenses.
**Concern:**No true rim-attacking guard may allow opponents to overplay shooters and clog the paint against UM's bigs.
Tim's 1980 Parallel: McKenney's freshman role mirrors his own (patience required).
X-Factor: Morez Johnson's switch ability on defense.
27:34 - Offensive constraints & defensive flexibility
Half-Court Concern: No guard who can consistently beat defenders off the dribble, forcing reliance on:
Big-man playmaking (Lendeborg/Johnson passing from high post)
Ball movement to generate open threes
Silver Lining: Morez Johnson's switch ability (can guard 1-5) may allow small-ball lineups to compensate.
Tim's Verdict: "You can't have everything... but Michigan's size will bully most teams."
33:49 - Final thoughts & season expectations
**10-Man Rotation Possible:**Depth at guard/wing (Gayle, Burnett, Cason, McKenney) and elite bigs (Lendeborg/Johnson) allows flexibility.
Sleeper: Oscar Goodman (early enrollee) could earn gritty minutes.
Women's Team: Sam hypes top-20 transfers + freshman class.
Tim's Jab: "Sam's finally happy after Piston's misery."
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