Michigan Wolverines news: An Olivier Nkamhoua update, Duncan Robinson shines again, and more

This Michigan Wolverines news roundup will focus on a new visit for Olivier Nkamhoua, former Michigan basketball standout Duncan Robinson shining again, and much more. 

Michigan Wolverines fans have been waiting to hear about the transfer portal prospects of the Michigan baskeball program and one key target has been Olivier Nkamhoua.

Nkamhoua just graduated from Tennessee over the weekend and was thought to be choosing between professional ball and Michigan basketball.

However, after not getting an NBA Combine Invite, Nkamhoua is still considering a return to college and it’s now being reported that he will take a visit to West Virginia.

For Michigan baskeball, that’s bad news. The Mountaineers are a solid program for one and two, they actually have a NIL program — the Wolverines for all intents and purposes don’t.

It’s baffling that the Michigan Wolverines are among the worst in college sports in the department of NIL. It’s a joke and frankly, it’s indefensible. It’s also probably going to cost Juwan Howard and Michigan basketball another key player that would be a plug-and-play starter.

Nkamhoua is one of the few options left that would be a true upgrade. He’s a professional talent and if the Wolverines miss, it will be another sign that Michigan basketball just can’t compete in this new era, until it finally wakes up and does the same thing (NIL) everyone else is doing.

Former Michigan Basketball standout shines again

It seems like when Duncan Robinson plays well, the Miami Heat plays well and he’s been on fire so far in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Robinson scored 15 points in a Game 2 win for the Heat over the Celtics, scoring eight points in the fourth quarter as Miami rallied. On Sunday night, in Game 3, Robinson was stellar again. He made 5-of-7 3-point attempts and also had one highlight-reel assist.

Robinson finished with an impressive 22 points in 23 minutes of play. The former Wolverine also dished out four assists and grabbed two boards. He was 7-of-11 from the field and while he was struggling earlier this season, Robinson has found his game.

And with one more Miami win, Robinson would be headed back to the NBA Finals with the Heat for the second time in four years.

Michigan football pushes back against potential night games

Kevin Warren was a horrible Big Ten commissioner and now that he’s gone, Big Ten teams are finding even more of a mess with the TV deals.

Apparently, according to a report from Pete Thamel of ESPN, Warren had agreed to a TV deal with NBC that violated other TV agreements the Big Ten had signed and also went back on the agreement among ADs that their teams wouldn’t have to play night games in November.

Michigan football is one program that has fought back against night games in November and here’s what Warde Manuel said via Zach Shaw of 247 Sports:

According to Thamel’s report, the Big Ten schools share some blame in all of this too according to one source quoted by Thamel:

"“The fault here is with the administrators on campus. How did the presidents, chancellors, and athletic directors not know this? The universities all signed off on the deal.”"

As much as $40 million will have to be paid by Michigan football and other programs to Fox because the rights to the Big Ten title game in 2026 were awarded to NBC when the Big Ten didn’t have the ability to do that.

It’s all somewhat complicated. I’d definitely take the time to read Thamel’s report, but knowing Warren, it’s not a big surprise. He was a disaster and outside of the additions of USC/UCLA, there isn’t much to celebrate during his run as Big Ten commissioner.