Michigan 72 Xavier 71

Michigan with a huge upset over Xavier - the Wolverines first road win against a ranked opponent since the 2000-01 season. Dayheesha Hollins had a huge game (22 points, 9 boards, 4 steals) as did Carmen Reynolds (18pts) and Krista Phillips (16pts).

Next: Xavier

Michigan travels to Cincinnati tonight to face the 12th ranked Lady Musketeers at 7:00 tonight. Xavier is probably the best team Michigan has faced to date - they have already beaten two ranked teams in Arizona State and Kansas while losing on the road at Michigan State.

Once again Krista Phillips will have her hands full - one of Xavier's top players is 6'6" center Ta'Shia Phillips, who is averaging 12.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Michigan will also have to keep an eye on forward Amber Harris who leads Xavier in scoring with 14.1 points per game and chips in 8 rebounds as well.

Michigan is definitely the underdog, but if they can avoid mistakes and stay focused they might have a shot at the upset - Xavier only beat Kansas by 5 (at home), and using Jeff Sagarin's ratings is only a slight 1 point favorite

The Day (or two) After: Iowa and Boston College Edition

(Usually, I'll try to have these after each game, but for those with virtually no coverage, I'll combine them with previous contests. Plus, work gets much busier this time of the year.)

The Coverage:
The Michigan Daily - Michigan wards off Iowa's second-half rally to earn first conference win
The Daily Iowan - Printy's missed free-throw one of many missed opportunities
Des Moines Register - Hawkeyes sustain another tough loss
Quad-City Times - Free throws doom Hawkeyes women
The Gazette - Missed opportunities foil women late
The Michigan Daily - Women's hoops win third straight on road

The Basics:
- Michigan squeaks by Iowa, 54-51, after both teams refuse to sink free throws down the stretch
- Battling back from 8-0, the Wolverines hold off a late Boston College run for third-straight road win, 76-70

The Breakdown:
There are many things young teams have to learn. One of the most important is how to close out games. A few weeks ago against New Mexico, Michigan struggled to close the door en route to its second loss of the season. But in the previous two contests, they prevailed - one was a gift, one was all grit.

Michigan 76 Boston College 70

Michigan comes up with another road win in a close contest. It was tied at halftime 34-34, but Michigan was able to out shoot BC in the second half (48% vs. 37%) and able to hit clutch free throws down the stretch to pull out the win. Add in taking care of the ball (1.00 assist/turnover ratio) and 15 steals and it adds up to another good win for the Wolverines.

Next: Boston College

Michigan travels to Boston College tonight to face the 5-3 Eagles at 7:00 tonigh. It should be an interesting matchup. Both teams have escaped Iowa City with close wins (Michigan 54-51, BC 72-67)

Using to Jeff Sagarin's current ratings (Michigan is currently 37th, Boston College 50th), the teams are very closely matched - Michigan favored, but by less than a point when home court advantage is factored in.

One of the keys for Michigan will be Krista Phillps - Boston College is led by 6'6" center Carolyn Swords who is averaging 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Michigan's guards will also have their hands full with Mickel Picco, who is averaging 13.6 points and slightly over 3 three point baskets a game.

Video Highlights of the Michigan's win over Iowa

Recruiting Update

This is old news, but Michigan signed Val Driscoll a 6'4" center from Massachusetts during the early signing period.

From mgoblue.com:

The University of Michigan women's basketball program received a National Letter of Intent from 6-foot-4 center Val Driscoll on the first day of the early signing period (Wednesday, Nov. 11). Driscoll, a native of Stoughton, Mass., will join the Wolverines for the 2010-11 season.

"We are ecstatic that Val will be joining us for next season," said head coach Kevin Borseth. "Val is a big, strong presence around the basket and really demands attention down low. It is something that we haven't had, and we are excited to get her into our program. Val is an extremely hard worker and an all-around good person who I believe is going to be a major contributor to our program's success."

Driscoll is a three-year varsity letterwinner at Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, Mass. In 2008-09, she led her squad to the Massachusetts Division 3 Southeast region championship and the team claimed back-to-back Division 3 State Championships in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Driscoll led the Catholic League in scoring in 2008-09, averaging 19.4 points per game and has scored over 1,000 career points. She is a three-time Catholic League All-Star and a two-time team captain at Archbishop Williams.

From "wickedlocal.com":

For the past three seasons, anyone following girls basketball on the South Shore saw the dynamic skill set Val Driscoll brought to the court each night.

Apparently, some people out in Ann Arbor, Mich., were watching as well.

Driscoll, a 6-foot-4 senior at Archbishop Williams High School, recently accepted a scholarship to play for the University of Michigan women’s basketball team, choosing the Wolverines over a list of more than 25 other Div. 1 schools.

Also, per kjasr.com (hat tip to mzonefan over on the umgoblue.com women's basketball forum), Michigan has a 2011 verbal commitment from Cyesha Goree of Wyoming Park high school. Goree is 6' wing forward and currently rated the #7 player in the 2011 class by michladyballers.com.