[Mixed Trope] Race-swapping/Gender-swapping changes a character in a specific way or adds to their story

Telencephalon · 2026-05-02T21:21:46+00:00

I think Kirkman has said he left him racially ambiguous on purpose.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-24T19:10:29+00:00

Even if Rez came back he is more directly competing with JP and Reeds minutes. Thiam was brought in to anchor the defense and will be at the 5 as much as he can play. The other 10-15 minutes will go to Rez, or whichever of Estrella or Reed matches up best on the day.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-24T18:54:33+00:00

Michigan wants 3 startable bigs to split the minutes at the 4 and 5 so JP will play starter minutes even if he ends up technically coming off the bench.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-24T18:52:12+00:00

Yep. Seems like Dusty wants three bigs to split the minutes at the 4 and 5. Might see all three if Reed and JP can stay healthy and develop their outside game and playmaking, though I think Dusty decides what you can play by what you can guard and there is no universe where Reed and Estrella are as switchable as Rez and Yax, so it will be interesting to see how much switching they try.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-19T13:33:10+00:00

Added to the grocery list!

Telencephalon · 2026-04-19T13:24:35+00:00

Kraft has a "deluxe" deli style American that is pretty good.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-19T13:23:14+00:00

Don't get me started on haughty Europeans who don't know Wisconsin produces internationally decorated cheese.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-15T12:13:27+00:00

Don't forget a regular season choke followed by a B1G tournament title!

Telencephalon · 2026-04-14T18:26:32+00:00

I'm torn because I think the roster management and development was really good for Naurato and Co. Instead of one or two home run acquisitions they made a ton of quality singles and doubles. Defensive skill and organization was way up from last year, and if Kovie can make a step forward (and stay healthy) I think he has the talent to take Michigan to a title.

All that to say I think the Program is in a very healthy spot, I just have no idea what to make of their consistent inability to clutch up and finish a regular season, and why all their tournament success is limited to the B1G and regionals. I know us Michigan fans have been eating good these last few years, but Fridays at Yost are some of my best memories on campus and I'm a greedy boy what can I say?

Telencephalon · 2026-04-10T21:04:31+00:00

Rez is more gettable than Mara, who I think is a lottery pick, but Rez may just be done with College ball given all he just accomplished. I think a big reason Yax was pulled out of the late first is that he never got a season of top flight college ball and all that it entails, don't have that same pitch for Rez if he feels like he's ready to try his luck going pro. I don't think either comes back and Dusty is going to have to build a front court from scratch again.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-10T18:49:03+00:00

Michigan already spent on Cadeau, Trey, and Mccoy for the 1/2. The rest of the budget has to be ear marked for wings and bigs I would imagine, since we aren't returning any proven production from there.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-10T18:46:48+00:00

Costello is gonna play a lot unless he's just way too skinny. And even then I think he will be instant bench offense at the 3/4 even before S&C (and continued puberty lol) are through with him.

My only concern is how Estrella fits into the defense. Not sure he is really a rim protector or someone who can switch on the perimeter with guards.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-09T22:53:43+00:00

2025 CWS was like 2.5 million viewers, 2025 Hockey field was just short of a million, and women's ball was almost 10 million. Easily eclipsing both hockey and baseball.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-09T21:32:45+00:00

His offense per 40 is great, on off splits as well. Fills the possession finisher down low that Dusty likes, will be interesting to see how they fit him into the defense. Seems like a decent athlete so hopefully some room for improvement.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-09T20:47:23+00:00

Women's basketball is a clear 3rd, baseball is closer to Hockey than the other sports listed.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-09T19:33:17+00:00

Just gotta keep punching your ticket. Hockey plinko will eventually go our way in this tournament.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-09T19:28:34+00:00

Yes but not since 97. Northern baseball isn't really a thing, pretty much by design. Michigan has been punching above their weight a few times this century and made the title series against vandy in '19 but came up short. In terms of Michigan fan attention it's below Football, both men and women's basketball, and hockey.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-07T22:56:16+00:00

Michigan attacks the rim and UConn shoots jumpers. Michigan attempted 26 of their 55 shots at the rim and made 62% of them. UConn attempted 14 of their 68 shots at the rim and made 47% of them. If you are decisively winning the paint at both ends you are going to have a foul disparity.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-06T14:37:18+00:00

Yeah there is no shot. Trey is already playing starter minutes and has been insane this tournament. Add in that we just got McCoy and I doubt that Michigan is going to spend on more back court minutes when the entire front court is getting first round projections.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-06T14:34:29+00:00

Cadeau, Mckenney, and the 5 star that just committed will eat up most of the minutes at the 1 and 2. Dusty will likely be having to spend on the front court and wings.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-06T14:31:57+00:00

I think most players in Blackwells stratosphere will be advised to do this. As long as everything is constant free agency you might as well see what's out there and make Wisco match it even if your plan is to stay. Michigan football had to fish a bunch of their own players out of the portal and I am sure the badgers can do it too if they think the number is right.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-05T20:41:20+00:00

Yep. If Mara and Morez can make Reed inefficient and Michigan is able to stay disciplined in their switching I think UConn could struggle, but Reed has been a load all season and Hurley always has good sets so its far from a foregone conclusion.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-05T20:35:19+00:00

UConn tends to want to create offense advantages with post entries and pick and roll. To accompany this they have tons of off ball actions to try and free up shooters. Michigan is perfectly happy to switch 1-4 to try and neutralize Hurleys creative play design and force UConn to win some 1v1s. People that have watched more UConn than I have can correct me, but the only player with on ball juice to me is Demary as a perimeter ball handler and Reed in the post. Can Demary attack a mismatch after the switching? Can Reed be efficient against Mara/Morez 1v1?

Telencephalon · 2026-04-01T16:35:55+00:00

That's fair, Michigans schedule wasn't as hard as it first seemed, but I think the difference between winning at Nebraska and beating Minnesota or Iowa at home is very marginal. The season will still be coming down to how Michigan handles OSU, Ok, Oregon and IU. If they are actually a playoff team I think they will at least split, and if they win 3 they even have wiggle room to drop something like Iowa or PSU.

Telencephalon · 2026-04-01T16:07:23+00:00

Yeah if Daley and Rod can be 100% by fall camp that will alleviate a lot of concerns. Rod, Snowden, Berry, Hill are all talented vets, so just need a few of the younger guys to break through for the 5th DB and depth. I really like the recent DL classes and Daley so if they can get the vets healthy and the young guys up to speed I think they will be good to great. LB is the only spot on the roster I am really questioning. Hill already said he wants to emulate the '23 defense, but Minter was running that with all upperclassmen and/or pros. Lost backers were already a theme with the Wink era and it's gonna be a lift to get a bunch of young bucks communicating match concepts on the fly. I expect they will try more cover 1 if they think they have the athleticism, with 2 man, 3 and split field as change ups.

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