Big Ten Network Highlights of Michigan/Indian

Updates coming

Apologies for the lack of posts this week (and the light posting before that). Sometimes life imposes priorities ahead of blogging (or even basketball). I should be able to remedy things soon.

Last night Michigan played Ohio State tough, but wasn't able to put the game away. Melinda Queen continued to shine on offense and Courtney Boylan hit some big shots, but it wasn't enough.

Kay Yow

From the AP:

Few coaches won more, none won more gracefully

By JIM LITKE – 3 hours ago

Kay Yow was around at the start of the debate. It's just one measure of how influential she was to women's sports that three decades later, even at the moment of her passing at age 66, Yow's insistence that how you win was as important as whether you win never seemed more relevant.

She was two years out of graduate school and just beginning to carve out a career as women's basketball coach and athletics coordinator at tiny Elon College in North Carolina when the groundbreaking piece of legislation known as Title IX was passed in 1972. But to pioneers like Yow, just as important as the promise of equal opportunity was the sense of responsibility women owed one another in developing a game of their own.

Some argued in favor of following the model long provided by men, focusing on competition, skill development and winning at all costs, the faster the better. Others argued for taking the high road, stressing cooperation, character-building and slow growth.

Both by example and through the force of her personality, during her long tenure on the bench at North Carolina State and her long fight against cancer, Yow proved over and over there was a middle ground. Few coaches won more and none, arguably, exhibited more grace doing it.

Regents approve basketball practice facility

From mgoblue.com:

By an 8-0 vote, the University of Michigan Board of Regents unanimously approved a new basketball player development center for the Wolverine basketball programs this afternoon (Thursday, Jan. 22).

"I am truly appreciative of the efforts of all involved to start this project," said U-M Athletic Director Bill Martin. "I can't wait to get the shovel in the ground and get started on this project.

"It is an exciting day for both the men's and women's basketball teams."

The facility will include two basketball practice courts, team locker rooms, a video theater, spaces for strength and conditioning, athletic medicine and coaching and staff offices. Athletic resources and gifts will fund the $23.2 million project.

Additionally, this facility will provide approximately 50,000 gross square feet of new space for functional training and practice for the men's and women's programs.

Currently, the Crisler Arena basketball court is the lone practice floor. The men's and women's basketball teams have had to share the court with one team practicing in the early afternoon. This created a class scheduling problem for the team with early practice.

"The facility will give our student-athletes more flexibility in their academic schedule," said Martin.

A construction schedule will be presented to the Regents when approval is sought for the schematic design.

• Michigan Announces Plans for Basketball Player Development Center

Next: Indiana

Michigan hosts the Indiana Hoosiers (13-3, 6-1) at Crisler Arena tomorrow evening. Indiana has five players averaging in double figures, which should prove to be a challenge for Michigan: forward Amber Jackson (14.4ppg/6.5rpg), forward Whitney Thomas (13.6ppg/9.2rpg), guard Jamie Braun (11.6ppg), guard Jori Davis (11.3ppg) and forward Kim Roberson (10.3ppg).

Minnesota 52, Michigan 46

A better road effort than Penn State & Ohio State, but the results were still a loss. Michigan led much of the game, but was unable to hold on and win. Poor shooting once again spelled trouble (34.8% in the 2nd half, 14% from 3pt range). Michigan was led by 15 points from Veronica Hicks and 10 from Carly Benson.

From mgoblue.com:

The University of Michigan women's basketball team built a 12-point lead in the first half at Minnesota but could not withstand a strong second half by the Golden Gophers, falling 52-46 Sunday afternoon (Jan. 18) in Williams Arena. Veronica Hicks (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood HS) and Carly Benson (Carney, Mich./Carney-Nadeau Public School) led the way for Michigan with 15 and 10 points, respectively, while Stephany Skrba (Toronto, Ontario/Langstaff Secondary School) had a game-high five steals and was the Wolverines' top rebounder with six.

Michigan led by as many as 12 points in the first half before taking a 28-20 advantage into the halftime break. The Wolverines held the lead throughout most of the second half and were up 42-41 with 5:38 to play, but Minnesota outscored Michigan 11-4 in the game's final 5:30 and 32-18 overall during the second period to send Michigan to its third straight loss.

Next: Minnesota

Michigan travels to Minnesota to day to play the Gophers (4-2/12-5). Minnesota is led by guard Emily Fox (12.7ppg/4.2apg), guard Katie Ohm (11.9ppg) and forward/center Ashley Ellis-Milan (11.2ppg/8.6rpg).

The Wolverines have a tall order - they're trying to both shake off a tough MSU loss and end their road woes.

Michigan State 41 Michigan 37

Michigan had their chances last night but poor shooting kept them from pulling away when they had the lead and stymied their attempt to win at the end of the game. 22% shooting (17% from 3pt range) won't win many games.

Maize Out tonight for Michigan State game tonight

Highlights from the Wisconsin game

Wisconsin 58 Michigan 54

Michigan couldn't overcome poor shooting (32% for the game) and their comeback effort fell short. Melinda Queen and Veronica Hicks led the way with 12 points each. From mgoblue.com:

The University of Michigan women's basketball team cut a 16-point second-half deficit to three points with 14 seconds remaining, but the rally was too late as the Wolverines dropped a 58-54 decision at Wisconsin on Sunday (Jan. 11) in the Kohl Center.

With the Badgers leading by 10 points with under two minutes remaining, a three-pointer from freshman Courtney Boylan (Minnetonka, Minn./Chaska HS) coupled with a free throw from senior Melinda Queen (Oak Forest, Ill./Carl Sandburg) cut the score to 56-50 with 44 seconds remaining. After a missed UW foul shot, senior Stephany Skrba(Toronto, Ontario/Langstaff Secondary School) nailed a pair of free throws to get U-M within four. UW then went 1-for-2 from the line to build the lead back to five before Boylan hit a jumper to pull Michigan to within 57-54. However, Wisconsin hit one of its two subsequent foul shots to put the game away.

Next: Wisconsin

Michigan travels to Madison today to play the Badgers at 2:30pm. Wisconsin (12-4, 2-3 in the Big 10) is led by sophomore guard Alyssa Karel (13.8 ppg).

Wisconsin had a strong start to the season (10-1 in non conference), including a win over highly ranked Baylor on the road. They've struggled a bit in conference play and currently are on a 2 game losing streak.

This will be a good chance for the Wolverines to grab a road win and move up a bit in the Big 10 standings. Maybe they can capitalize on their big win last year, with Krista Phillip's 40 ft three pointer that sent the game into overtime & ultimately a win.

Michigan 52 Illinois 44

It wasn't the prettiest game, but it was a win & one that Michigan needed. Veronica Hicks led the way with 12 points, Jessica Minnfield added 11 (and 5 assists), Carly Benson had 9 and Krista Phillips add 9 rebounds.

Michigan was able to keep Jenna Smith in check (10 points) and the rest of the Illini weren't able to pick up enough of the slack.

From mgoblue.com:

The University of Michigan women's basketball team upended Illinois, 52-44, Thursday night (Jan. 8) in Crisler Arena. Sophomore guard Veronica Hicks (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood) led the way with 12 points and senior guard Jessica Minnfield (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) added 11 points and a game-high five assists for the Wolverines. Lydia McCully led Illinois with 11 points.

Michigan took control early, scoring the first four points of the contest on baskets by senior forward Stephany Skrba (Toronto, Ontario/Langstaff Secondary School) and Hicks. U-M never trailed in the opening 20 minutes.

Next: Illinois

Michigan hosts the Illini tonight at 7:00pm. Illinois (4-11, 0-4) has struggled this year with their only wins against Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, Eastern Illinois, Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Missouri.

They are led by 6'3" Jenna Smith (18.2ppg, 7.5rpg) and Lacey Simpson (11.5ppg, 8.5rpg). This is a game Michigan needs to win and even their record in the conference at 2-2.

Penn State 76 Michigan 58

Michigan couldn't overcome being outrebounded (50-32) and being outshot (53% - 42%). Carly Benson led the way with 21 points and Veronica Hicks add14.

From mgoblue.com:

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Senior forward Carly Benson (Carney, Mich./Carney Nadeau Public School) was 5-of-12 from behind the three-point line and tallied a team-high 21 points for her seventh game in double figures as the Wolverines dropped a Big Ten conference game 76-58 to Penn State this afternoon (Sunday, Jan. 4) at the Bryce Jordan Center.

The Lady Lions shot lights out in the second half, finishing 17-of-32 from the floor -- good for 53.1 percent -- and 5-of-10 from behind the three-point line to put the game out of reach for the Wolverines. Penn State opened the second stanza right where they finished the first frame, and with two quick buckets, built a 12-point lead, forcing the Wolverines to call a timeout. A bucket from sophomore guard Veronica Hicks (Chicago, Ill/Thornwood) ended a 6-0 Penn State run to open the half, but the Lady Lions used a 10-2 run to take a 39-23 lead with just 4:40 seconds off the second-half clock.

Next: Penn State

Michigan travels to State College to play the Nittany Lions (6-7, 1-2) at 2:00pm. Penn State is led by junior guard Tyra Grant (19.0pts/game) and senior guard Brianne O'Rourke (11.9pts/game, 4.9 assists/game).

Penn State has struggled a bit this year, but they did beat Illinois at home and played Texas A&M close on the road (a 61-57 loss). This is a good opportunity for Michigan to steal a road win, which are tough to come by in conference play.

Michigan 66 Northwestern 54

Michigan shot 57% in the second half to overcome a 24-23 halftime deficit and beat the Wildcats. Melinda Queen had a career high 20 points and Jessica Minnfield added 17.

This was a big win for Michigan - they needed to bounce back after the Ohio Sate game and winning home games is very important both to be competitive in the conference race and to position themselves for post season play.