Michigan opens up the Big 10 Tournament as the number 7 seed and they face 10th seeded Northwestern. On the one hand, they've lost to Northwestern twice already this season so the Wildcats are probably feeling confident. On the other hand it can be really tough to beat a team three times in one season, particularly if there is not a large disparity in talent.
Northwestern is led by Amy Jaeschke who averages 17 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. It will be interesting to see how Veronica Hicks plays - she often has good games against teams from her home state, Northwestern in particular.
If Michigan wins today, their task doesn't get any easier - they'll face 2nd seeded Michigan State.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Next: Michigan State
Tonight Michigan hosts Michigan State at Crisler Arena at 7:00pm. These teams are quite familiar with each other and even though Michigan State has had the edge the games have been much closer since Kevin Borseth took over as coach (including a win at Crisler his inaugural season).
This is a big game for the Wolverines - a win here and a strong finish to the season (including the Big 10 tournament) could lead to another post season invite. While an NCAA invitation seems like a long shot while they are sitting under .500 in conference play, it isn't out of the question - if they can manage one or two more big wins (Michigan State would qualify) and improve on the road (always a tough task).
This is a big game for the Wolverines - a win here and a strong finish to the season (including the Big 10 tournament) could lead to another post season invite. While an NCAA invitation seems like a long shot while they are sitting under .500 in conference play, it isn't out of the question - if they can manage one or two more big wins (Michigan State would qualify) and improve on the road (always a tough task).
Two more things to point out:
1.) $1 admission with this voucher
2.) There's much to say about the Michigan Daily article on Borseth's much-publicized coaching style. I'll chime this weekend, but the fire's already started in the forums.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Michigan 74, Minnesota 40
Welcome back Carmen!
After a nine-point performance at Northwestern that resulted in a loss, Reynolds seemed to return to form as the high-scorer in Sunday's rout. With freshman Dayeesha Hollins, the two exploded out of the gate after the break and extended a six-point halftime lead to 15. Reynolds had 14 points in the second half and finished with 19.
I only have the box score to work off from, but I think it's safe to say that the defense played a big part of this win also. The Wolverines limited Minnesota to .233 from the field, its lowest output this season and Michigan's best against an opponent.
Everybody did their part in today's game whether it was KP, who was one rebound shy of a double-double, or the bench where all but one were on the scoreboard.
The game lifts Michigan to 6-7 for the Big Ten season and 14-9 overall. After a 2-6 start in the conference, I'd say the Wolverines are now getting used to the grind, which doesn't surprise me given two freshmen starters. Today's win is particularly important as Michigan dives into three-game stretch against the top half of the conference (MSU, PSU and Wisco).
Michigan State, who also started poorly in the conference season, will most likely grab its fifth-straight win. That game is slated for 7p EST Thursday.
Update: Who dat?
Update 2: Spartans lost to Iowa, 77-66. Interesting.
After a nine-point performance at Northwestern that resulted in a loss, Reynolds seemed to return to form as the high-scorer in Sunday's rout. With freshman Dayeesha Hollins, the two exploded out of the gate after the break and extended a six-point halftime lead to 15. Reynolds had 14 points in the second half and finished with 19.
I only have the box score to work off from, but I think it's safe to say that the defense played a big part of this win also. The Wolverines limited Minnesota to .233 from the field, its lowest output this season and Michigan's best against an opponent.
Everybody did their part in today's game whether it was KP, who was one rebound shy of a double-double, or the bench where all but one were on the scoreboard.
The game lifts Michigan to 6-7 for the Big Ten season and 14-9 overall. After a 2-6 start in the conference, I'd say the Wolverines are now getting used to the grind, which doesn't surprise me given two freshmen starters. Today's win is particularly important as Michigan dives into three-game stretch against the top half of the conference (MSU, PSU and Wisco).
Michigan State, who also started poorly in the conference season, will most likely grab its fifth-straight win. That game is slated for 7p EST Thursday.
Update: Who dat?
Update 2: Spartans lost to Iowa, 77-66. Interesting.
Monday, January 25, 2010
What The -
I'm not even sure where to begin.
In case you haven't seen or heard, the Purdue Lady Boilermakers conquered the giant in Ohio State by the score of 63-61. That's not the bizarre part, however. Click the first sentence and scroll down for a bit. Don't worry - I'll wait.
Got it?
HOW ARE YOU THE NO. 4 COUNTRY IN THE NATION AND GIVE UP A 16-0 START TO AN INCONSISTENT PURDUE TEAM THAT JUST LOST TO MICHIGAN STATE BY 18?
Sorry, I just had to get that out.
I'm sure we'll hear a quote saying how you have to come to play each and every night in the Big Ten. After that, I'll let the recap speak for itself (and the boards). Another little tidbit, Purdue came in the contest with the lowest RPI of the conference; Ohio State obviously had the highest.
Speaking about recaps, here's one (Michigan Daily) about yesterday's Michigan victory over Indiana. One (Indiana Daily Student) from the opposition. And finally, a slideshow (AnnArbor.com) to see it.
Does Purdue's victory make me worry about the Wolverines' chances on February 28th? Eh, not really.
The Lady Boilermakers are still a really young team that struggle on the road (2-6 this season). According to the stats, they aren't a great offensive squad (third worst FG% in B10 contests), yet get the job done defensively as they hold a 5-5 record in conference play. It's too soon to look forward to that game, so we'll end it there for now.
A preview for Michigan at Illinois from Assembly Hall will be on its way later this week. Stay tuned.
In case you haven't seen or heard, the Purdue Lady Boilermakers conquered the giant in Ohio State by the score of 63-61. That's not the bizarre part, however. Click the first sentence and scroll down for a bit. Don't worry - I'll wait.
Got it?
HOW ARE YOU THE NO. 4 COUNTRY IN THE NATION AND GIVE UP A 16-0 START TO AN INCONSISTENT PURDUE TEAM THAT JUST LOST TO MICHIGAN STATE BY 18?
Sorry, I just had to get that out.
I'm sure we'll hear a quote saying how you have to come to play each and every night in the Big Ten. After that, I'll let the recap speak for itself (and the boards). Another little tidbit, Purdue came in the contest with the lowest RPI of the conference; Ohio State obviously had the highest.
Speaking about recaps, here's one (Michigan Daily) about yesterday's Michigan victory over Indiana. One (Indiana Daily Student) from the opposition. And finally, a slideshow (AnnArbor.com) to see it.
Does Purdue's victory make me worry about the Wolverines' chances on February 28th? Eh, not really.
The Lady Boilermakers are still a really young team that struggle on the road (2-6 this season). According to the stats, they aren't a great offensive squad (third worst FG% in B10 contests), yet get the job done defensively as they hold a 5-5 record in conference play. It's too soon to look forward to that game, so we'll end it there for now.
A preview for Michigan at Illinois from Assembly Hall will be on its way later this week. Stay tuned.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Michigan 70, Indiana 56
Things I learned:
1. Blogging is hard. Apologies for not keeping up throughout the season.
2. Coach Borseth's parents have been married for 63 years. That's pretty amazing.
3. Michigan is an awesome team on the open floor.
All things were clicking for the Wolverines in the second half, sparked by the quick transition game Michigan is now known for. Falling behind by seven early in the period, the Wolverines put up 48, including 20 of those points from Ms. Veronica Hicks.
However, if it weren't for Carmen Reynolds, there may not have been an easy 70-56 victory. She had some timely three-balls to keep Michigan in it. She finished with 16 points for the night, and is averaging 15.8 ppg in the last five contests.
One of the keys of the game has to be stifling Indiana guard Jamie Braun in the second half. Braun had eight of the Hoosiers' 27 points in the first half, but had just one three-pointer thereafter in garbage time. In addition, Dayeesha Hollins juked the living daylights out of Braun for an easy lay-in during the second half.
Michigan also seemed like the aggressor in the contest, evidenced by the +10 margin on the offensive boards. The Wolverines also had seven more rebounds on the defensive end, but much of that can be attributed to Indiana's poor shooting.
(I would talk more about the first half, but I slept in over here on the west coast.)
That leaves Michigan looking at 11-8 for the season and 3-6 in Big Ten play. For the most part, there's still some time to make some headway, but not much room for error. Aside from Ohio State and Penn State, no team has really looked too convincing.
However, the Wolverines don't look too convincing either. As they sit at the bottom of the conference standings, they'll need to capitalize on the road and I believe they must win the showdown against Michigan State a few weeks away. A win against Penn State would be a great confidence boost in a challenging second half of the B10 season.
But reaching 70 for the first time since 2009, especially for a shooting team, is a good start.
1. Blogging is hard. Apologies for not keeping up throughout the season.
2. Coach Borseth's parents have been married for 63 years. That's pretty amazing.
3. Michigan is an awesome team on the open floor.
All things were clicking for the Wolverines in the second half, sparked by the quick transition game Michigan is now known for. Falling behind by seven early in the period, the Wolverines put up 48, including 20 of those points from Ms. Veronica Hicks.
However, if it weren't for Carmen Reynolds, there may not have been an easy 70-56 victory. She had some timely three-balls to keep Michigan in it. She finished with 16 points for the night, and is averaging 15.8 ppg in the last five contests.
One of the keys of the game has to be stifling Indiana guard Jamie Braun in the second half. Braun had eight of the Hoosiers' 27 points in the first half, but had just one three-pointer thereafter in garbage time. In addition, Dayeesha Hollins juked the living daylights out of Braun for an easy lay-in during the second half.
Michigan also seemed like the aggressor in the contest, evidenced by the +10 margin on the offensive boards. The Wolverines also had seven more rebounds on the defensive end, but much of that can be attributed to Indiana's poor shooting.
(I would talk more about the first half, but I slept in over here on the west coast.)
That leaves Michigan looking at 11-8 for the season and 3-6 in Big Ten play. For the most part, there's still some time to make some headway, but not much room for error. Aside from Ohio State and Penn State, no team has really looked too convincing.
However, the Wolverines don't look too convincing either. As they sit at the bottom of the conference standings, they'll need to capitalize on the road and I believe they must win the showdown against Michigan State a few weeks away. A win against Penn State would be a great confidence boost in a challenging second half of the B10 season.
But reaching 70 for the first time since 2009, especially for a shooting team, is a good start.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Next: Ohio State
Ohio State travels to Ann Arbor tonight for a rematch of their game from a couple of weeks ago. Michigan. The Wolverines have struggled in conference play with a 2-5 record. Despite sitting in a tie for 9th place, a win would be a good opportunity to turn the season around a bit. Most of teams are still bunch fairly close together (Penn State is currently in 2nd at 5-2), so a few wins could move them up in the standings quickly.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Michigan 56, Ohio State 59
The Wolverines put up a much better fight against the Buckeyes than the Spartans. But it still wasn't enough as Jantel Lavender was Jantel Lavender on the inside. According to the box score, Krista Phillips was toyed around with around the block, having no points in 37 minutes of work.
Dayeesha Hollins, Jenny Ryan and Carmen Reynolds ended the game in double-figures. However, only two Ohio State players in double-figures was good enough for the win. This was the Buckeyes closest win in the Big Ten season thus far. Ohio State was limited to 40% from the field, its lowest this season
As many have already alluded to on the UMGoBlue.com boards, this team certainly has the talent. The defense seems to be gelling together slowly although it may have taken a step back against MSU (sidenote: I'm surprised no one has mentioned how key Kalisha Keane was in that contest). Once they gain the confidence to play more aggressively against the top teams in the Big Ten (most are only freshman, after all), we'll be discussing a different issue here.
Dayeesha Hollins, Jenny Ryan and Carmen Reynolds ended the game in double-figures. However, only two Ohio State players in double-figures was good enough for the win. This was the Buckeyes closest win in the Big Ten season thus far. Ohio State was limited to 40% from the field, its lowest this season
As many have already alluded to on the UMGoBlue.com boards, this team certainly has the talent. The defense seems to be gelling together slowly although it may have taken a step back against MSU (sidenote: I'm surprised no one has mentioned how key Kalisha Keane was in that contest). Once they gain the confidence to play more aggressively against the top teams in the Big Ten (most are only freshman, after all), we'll be discussing a different issue here.
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