Is Michigan the Best opponent | Page 2 | The Boneyard
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Is Michigan the Best opponent

I watched some of the MI/ND game. ND relies on Hidalgo for so much, and MI knew that. Good job on defending her, players dropping into the paint to double and triple-team. That's not going to work on this Huskies team. Very good rebounding and shooting by MI, but they turned the ball over a lot. Great energy, though. They are going to need it.
 
Normally I would say no but the way Michigan handled ND gives me pause to question their potential danger to the top teams. UConn still has arguably the two best players in the country so I don't think Michigan can beat them without a lot of help but it might at least make UConn work up a little sweat.
 
Tonyc said:
We could blow them out and just never let up. I say that knowing we will be all over Olsen and handle everybody else. This is a special team with alot of smarts and athleticism.
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You have me wondering if Olson will be rethinking her decision to go to Michigan after this game.
 
I know they got 6’3” Ashley Sifilkanich from Bucknell and Kendall Dudley from UCLA but I still think our inside presence of Williams, Strong, Blanca and Jana will be too much for them. Our guards are as good and better so, like TonyC said, I am not worried…
 
visitingcock said:
"Based on what I've seen from Michigan they will be, for sure, the best team we play this year, by a long shot at this time in the season," Auriemma said after his team's win over Ohio State on November 16, per an X post from Avery Becker of UCTV Sports.

Well, I dunno. It seems he is saying that they are the best that he has seen, at this time, that y'all will face in the regular season. I think they are the best Guard oriented team y'all will face this year but may fall short on the bigs.
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I agree about the "guard-oriented team". Wolverine's "Big" is 6'3" junior,
Ashley Sofilhanich a transfer from Patriot League's Bucknell where
she was Patriot POY (a native of South Amboy, N.J.!!!). Next up for the
Wolverines is, as I see it, Kendall Dudley a 6'2" transfer from UCLA. Kendall is an alumna of Sidwell Friends.
Speaking of BIGS and History: When Michigan and Serah
Williams last faced each other (1/29/2025), Wisconsin upset
Michigan in a WILD 82 - 75 game that was tied after 3 Q.
Serah's stat line: 22 points on 7/10 shooting, 0/0 threes, 7
rebounds, 1 steal, and 8/9 from the charity strip. Serah scored
early in that game with something? like two points, two rebounds,
and one assist in that critical fourth period. DO IT AGAIN, BIG GIRL!!!
GO HUSKIES!!
 
Zarathustra said:
Kendall Dudley a 6'2" transfer from UCLA. Kendall is an alumna of Sidwell Friends.
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This tidbit is a sign of the depth of the problems at UCLA. Kendall was Kiki Rice’s friend in high school who only went to UCLA because her friend went there. And even with that connection she still found enough to dislike about the program to want out.
 
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Charliebball said:
A good defensive team always has a chance to win, especially if their opponents don't make their open shots......that certainly applies to Michigan......
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this is the only threat -- aside from a major return of the injury typhoon -- to an undefeated season.

if multiple players don't can the easy shots they normally would, the team could lose to any hot team that turns confident.

this is highly unlikely this year, but it's the only way even the highest level foes would hang a loss on the amazing huskies.

sound optimistic? it's just realistic. it's obvious.
 
Uconn can win this game in many ways, Obviously. But I believe thay Uconn's defense needs to give the first punch to Michigan. This is a great tactical game for Uconn too because of how Michigan plays. I believe that ND had a really off night and Michingan was more than able to capitalize off ND's miscues. Uconns defense will guide their offense in the open floor and on fastbreaks, and thats where Michigan will be in trouble.

I also expect a monster game for Sarah, Serah, and Azzi. I don't think Michigan got the personell to stop all three. I also expect for shade, kk, and Blanca to have significant playing time as well.
 
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Michigan blows out Binghamton by 70 points and 12 players get minutes. I don't think this is a meaningful win. KBA played 8 against ND in a 40 point blowout. Against UConn, I'll be surprised if she plays more than 8.
 
If Michigan is tired on Friday night it won't be because of last night's game.
Eleven players played 10 or more minutes and the starters ranged from 11 to 21 minutes (I think 14 of their players got into the game)...
 
Wow, Michigan has been impressive so far, but the way they beat ND was probably their best game ever. They may be talented, but they may be overconfident going into the UConn game. I remember a number of years ago when a young SC team, undefeated at the time and ranked #1 came into Gampel to give our girls a lesson, but what happened was a beat down that they never envisioned. Michigan is young, and although talented, experience in high caliber games will win out, and when they leave a valuable lesson will be learned. I think Michigan is good enough to win this game, but if they are looking to move forward with their F4 aspirations, losing may be the best thing for them. They are good physically, but they have to be mentally tough to get there and this game, win or lose, will help them in their quest.
 
MI has looked good so far this season. But in all honesty, they have yet to face a real test, and that includes against a considerably overrated ND team. They will be tested on Friday, at both ends of the court, by the best team in the nation. We’ll see how well they handle the pressure that UConn’s deep roster will bring for 40 minutes.
 
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oldude said:
MI has looked good so far this season. But in all honesty, they have yet to have a test, and that includes against a considerably overrated ND team. They will be tested on Friday, at both ends of the court, by the best team in the nation. We’ll see how well they handle the pressure that UConn’s deep roster will bring for 40 minutes.
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Exactly. While there are probably few who appreciate Kim Barnes Arico’s coaching ability better than Geno (can we say Feb 18, 2012?), the big game experience and talent we have, not to mention our defensive intensity, will simply be too much for the Wolverines. Expect the excitement of the moment to keep it close early, but, as the Huskies get comfortable, and those 3s start falling - watch out! As long as we keep them uncomfortable from the three point line, and our bigs stay out of foul trouble, expect a strong showing from the home team. Michigan will show the viewers they’re a Top Ten team, but, the Huskies balanced attack and performance will again remind America why they are the best WCBB team!😎
 
oldude said:
MI has looked good so far this season. But in all honesty, they have yet to face a real test, and that includes against a considerably overrated ND team. They will be tested on Friday, at both ends of the court, by the best team in the nation. We’ll see how well they handle the pressure that UConn’s deep roster will bring for 40 minutes.
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Indeed. I will be surprised if this isn’t at least a 15 point win for UConn. Maybe considerably more. Michigan’s little guards Holloway and Quarles-Daniels pose no greater threat than the Cambridge sisters on defense and don’t really compare on offense. Olson and Swords are formidable players, but their first encounter with UConn’s big guards should be a bracing experience for them, since Sarah and Blanca will be a major element of what they have to deal with, as well as Azzi and Allie.

In effect, Michigan’s strengths will run directly into UConn’s strongest elements. They are likely to be overpowered.
 
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