Great Lakes Divide

What a time to be alive. Ryan and Tom reflect upon the unprecedented, abrupt end to the 2019-20 NCAA Basketball season - as the Coronavirus pandemic forces the cancellation of the Big Ten Tournament and March Madness entirely. Tom relays observations from his trip to Indianapolis, and the surreal scene that unfolded in real time. Ryan puts the entire episode into historical perspective, comparing it to the world standing still after 9/11. Final thoughts on the season that was, and the seniors who will be moving on - including Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske for Michigan, as well as Kyle Ahrens, Conner George, and Cassius Winston for Michigan State. Societal, economic, and cultural impacts of these decisions send a ripple effect through the entire American ethos. What happens next? When will it all end? The guys discuss.

Ryan and Tom reflect upon the close of the 2019-20 regular season for both Michigan and Michigan State - with the Wolverines dropping their third of four games, 83-70 at Maryland, to finish 19-12 (10-10 B1G), and the Spartans (22-9, 14-6 B1G) riding a five-game winning streak after Sunday’s 80-69 Senior Day win over Ohio State to earn a three-way split of the 2020 B1G title with Maryland and Wisconsin. Tom diagnoses the power outage for Michigan in the front-court, while Ryan skewers Buckeyes head coach Chris Holtmann for complaining about MSU seniors kissing the floor at Breslin - as part of a 25-year tradition.

Ryan and Tom recap the penultimate games of the regular season for both Michigan State and Michigan - a stunning Spartans 79-71 comeback win from a 19-point deficit at Penn State, and an 82-58 senior night victory for the Wolverines over Nebraska in front of former head coach John Beilein at Crisler Center. Is Xavier Tillman the obvious Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year? Can MSU fans bring themselves to root for a Michigan victory at Maryland, if it means a shot at an outright conference title? And will the Coronavirus potentially have an impact on how the NCAA stages its upcoming tournament games?

Ryan and Tom analyze a big 78-66 revenge win for Michigan State on the road at Maryland, along with Michigan’s second straight loss - both overall and to Ohio State on the season - 77-63 to the Buckeyes in Columbus. What are the seed implications for where the Spartans and Wolverines stand? Ryan will have his next bracket projection out on Monday, which figures to have MSU as a #4 or #5 seed and Michigan at either a #6 or #7. Also, investigative reporter David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press joins Ryan to discuss the very latest in the Dr. Robert E. Anderson controversy at Michigan. And Cody Tucker makes his second visit on GLD, offering his Wyoming perspective on new Michigan State defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton.

As the two teams jostle for position in the Big Ten Tournament and with the NCAA selection committee, Ryan and Tom reflect upon two more big wins for Michigan (71-63 at Purdue) and Michigan State (78-70 vs. Iowa). Zavier Simpson finds a way to lead the Wolverines to a hard-earned victory at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, despite going 0-for-10 from the floor - while Cassius Winston finds his three-point groove for the Spartans, with able assistance from Rocket Watts against the Hawkeyes. Speaking of three-point grooves, nobody had it going better than Gabby Lutchka for Ryan’s high school alma mater Grass Lake. The sophomore poured in a MHSAA record 16 triples in a 58-point performance and win over Manchester.