A new Michigan basketball season tips off tonight — and with it, the next chapter for UM Hoops. We’ve grown together, built something rare in college hoops media, and now it’s time to take it even further.
We are incredibly excited about our coverage this year and think it will be one of our best seasons yet. Add in the expectations surrounding this roster, and I’m as excited as I’ve been at the start of a season in years.
I’ve been running this site far longer than I ever anticipated, but it’s also become a more tight-knit community than I ever expected. There were several points during Michigan’s 24 losses in 2023-24 when I wondered why I was still doing this and what the point was, but the last 36 months have rejuvenated me as much as the fanbase.
Over the last decade, the internet — and college basketball — have changed dramatically. But our mission hasn’t changed: real, thoughtful, and exhaustive Michigan basketball coverage at a level that no one else provides.
To keep doing that — and to make UM Hoops stronger for years to come — we’re evolving our model. That means doubling down on what we do best and introducing new ways to make UM Hoops even more valuable to you.
Our plans for this year
The standards you’ve come to expect from UM Hoops are back for another season. Everything that you get out of your membership is still going to be there.
That includes our game previews and recaps, Five Key Plays, podcasts, five takeaways, and other analysis pieces. We’re still the only website that’s entirely dedicated to Michigan basketball.
This year’s beat writer crew of Zach Edwards , Jonathan Wutcher and Sam Gibson is off to a terrific start. They are one of the most experienced and talented groups we’ve had on the site and will provide valuable insights throughout the season. They’ll provide all of their standard coverage with a few new additions this year.
We are continuing our coverage of Michigan women’s basketball and will have ongoing weekly columns focused on developments for what should be an exciting season.
Starting this season, new memberships will be $6/month or $60/year — a small change that helps us keep building the kind of coverage Michigan basketball deserves. Current subscribers are grandfathered in and will continue to renew at their existing rate automatically.
Introducing UM Hoops+
For more than a decade, UM Hoops has been the go-to home for deep, thoughtful Michigan basketball coverage. But this season, we’re taking that coverage to another level.
UM Hoops+ is for the diehards — the fans who live and breathe every possession, who love film, numbers, and the kind of insight you can’t get anywhere else. It’s our next evolution: new tools, deeper analysis, and closer access to the community that make UM Hoops special.
Joining UM Hoops+ unlocks a brand-new layer of coverage and experience for just $10/month or $100/year. Already a member? You can upgrade anytime — your plan will be prorated, so you’ll only pay the difference.
Lifetime members will receive full access to UM Hoops+ — a small thank-you for your loyalty and support over the years.
If you’d still like to help support the future of the site, you can make a contribution in any amount here .
Live Four Factors & Game Charts
Stop waiting for postgame charts — now you can track them live.
UM Hoops+ members can follow every Michigan game (and hundreds of others across college basketball) with real-time charts, shot distribution charts, and team stats that tell the story of the game as it unfolds.
See how teams are winning possessions, visualize shot distribution, and understand momentum with one click. (Bookmark the scoreboard here. )
Game Report Cards
This is a feature I’ve wanted to build for years — a way to evaluate player and team performance with depth and consistency.
Each Game Report Card breaks down film and advanced data to grade Michigan’s performance across key areas. An in-depth breakdown on a team and individual level based on advanced stats and rewatch.
You’ll see who’s trending up, where the team is improving, and which benchmarks define Michigan’s path to success — all season long.
Think of it as a mashup of PFF grades, MGoBlog’s UFRs, and our classic Form Tracker pieces, built specifically for Michigan basketball.
Film Room with Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson has quickly become one of the sharpest voices in Big Ten basketball, and we’re thrilled to have him join the UM Hoops+ team as a contributor this year. Joe will regularly break down film from Michigan games — what’s working, what’s not, and what to expect next.
His film sessions will give Plus members a front-row seat to the tactical side of Michigan basketball, explained in a clear, insightful way.
Player Stat Pages + Shot Charts (by Thanksgiving)
Coming soon: every Michigan player will have a dedicated stats page featuring advanced metrics, performance grades, and interactive shot charts. You’ll be able to explore where and how each player scores — and track trends as the season unfolds.
It’s a perfect blend of analytics and storytelling, designed for fans who want to understand the game at a deeper level.
Plus Forum Access
We’re also opening a private section of our forum exclusively for UM Hoops+ subscribers. It’s also a direct line to me and the UM Hoops team — part “ask me anything,” part suggestion box, and part think tank for shaping the future of the site.
More to Come
UM Hoops+ is just getting started. Several new features are already in the works — and your feedback will help shape what comes next. Expect even more data tools, film content, and insider community features as the season unfolds.
- Join UM Hoops+ today ($10/month or $100/year) to support independent Michigan basketball coverage — and get the most complete, data-driven, and insightful look at this team anywhere.
Thank you
There aren’t many independent, single-team basketball sites left — but UM Hoops keeps growing because of you. Your support makes everything possible, and I’m excited to keep building this together. Here’s to another season — and a new era for UM Hoops.
The new season starts tonight — join now to follow every play, every insight and every story.
The post State of the Blog: A New Era for UM Hoops appeared first on UM Hoops.com .