Is Michigan the Best opponent

[Kat]

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.

 

[Rowdy831]

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.

 

[Bone Dog]

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.

You have me wondering if Olson will be rethinking her decision to go to Michigan after this game.

 

[DefenseBB]

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…

 

[Zarathustra]

"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.

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!!

 

[Bone Dog]

Kendall Dudley a 6'2" transfer from UCLA. Kendall is an alumna of Sidwell Friends.

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.

 

[Charliebball]

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......

 

[Centerstream]

Michigan in a cake walk over Binghamton, 120-50. They shot 66% fg% and 55% 3s. Three starters and three off the bench scored in double digits.

 

[PacoSwede]

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......

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.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

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.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

The only team that can beat UConn is UConn. A scare or two would be good though.

 

[1974yankees]

What if we beat them by 30? Will they still be talking about Michigan?

 

[Conndog]

Michigan beat Binghamton tonight 120-50! It was 66-21 at the half. 13 different players scored for Michigan. Maybe they will be tired against UConn since they scored so many times tonight.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Michigan is good and young. 4 sophs and a junior in their starting lineup.

 

[Bone Dog]

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.

 

[Basingstoke]

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)...

 

[Bald Husky]

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.

 

[oldude]

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.

 

[Jim R]

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.

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!😎

 

[Bone Dog]

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.

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.

 

[From Canada]

Michigan has a young team, based on the 2024 class, which was a very talented year. For the first time, they managed to attract two players from ESPN's top 100, Syla Swords #4 and Olivia Olson #20, both of whom had a great first season. I think Olson is progressing a little more at the moment, as she has improved her decision-making and her 3-point shooting. Mila Holloway (PG) has dual citizenship (US/Canada) and participated in the last U19 World Championship with Canada. She was in the starting lineup for every game last season. Another interesting player who, like Holloway, was not ranked in ESPN's top 100, is definitely worth considering in their recruitment for the class of 2024. That player is Te'yala Delfosse (6'3"), who reminds me a bit of Qadence Samuels physically, but with a little more length. She has a nice touch and has gained muscle tone. She is making great progress, and only time will tell if I am right.

Michigan has added two transfers via the portal: Ashley Sofilkanich (6'3" center), who played her first two seasons at Bucknell, averaging 19.7 PPG and 8.4 rebounds in 32 minutes last year. She finds herself in a similar situation to Serah Williams, with even less playing time than Serah at 15 MPG. She's off to a good start, and Michigan fans would surely like to see more of her. The team is still looking for their fifth starter (Holloway, Swords, Olson, and Sofilkanich). Kendall Dudley (6'2"), the other player acquired via the portal, could well be the one chosen to fill that role. Yesterday, she was the third player in four games to get a chance to prove herself. She adds depth to the sophomore class and gives Michigan a third ESPN Top 100 player (#18).

After four games, Michigan has a FG of 55.8% and 40.5% 3-pointers (20/79). The team's maturity is not that of UConn, but they will still need to be wary. Last year's opener, South Carolina vs. Michigan, was a close call, with a 68-62 victory.



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[RockyMTblue2]

Binghamton closed last year with an RPI of 278. All I'm going to say.

 

[1974yankees]

Michigan has a young team, based on the 2024 class, which was a very talented year. For the first time, they managed to attract two players from ESPN's top 100, Syla Swords #4 and Olivia Olson #20, both of whom had a great first season. I think Olson is progressing a little more at the moment, as she has improved her decision-making and her 3-point shooting. Mila Holloway (PG) has dual citizenship (US/Canada) and participated in the last U19 World Championship with Canada. She was in the starting lineup for every game last season. Another interesting player who, like Holloway, was not ranked in ESPN's top 100, is definitely worth considering in their recruitment for the class of 2024. That player is Te'yala Delfosse (6'3"), who reminds me a bit of Qadence Samuels physically, but with a little more length. She has a nice touch and has gained muscle tone. She is making great progress, and only time will tell if I am right.

Michigan has added two transfers via the portal: Ashley Sofilkanich (6'3" center), who played her first two seasons at Bucknell, averaging 19.7 PPG and 8.4 rebounds in 32 minutes last year. She finds herself in a similar situation to Serah Williams, with even less playing time than Serah at 15 MPG. She's off to a good start, and Michigan fans would surely like to see more of her. The team is still looking for their fifth starter (Holloway, Swords, Olson, and Sofilkanich). Kendall Dudley (6'2"), the other player acquired via the portal, could well be the one chosen to fill that role. Yesterday, she was the third player in four games to get a chance to prove herself. She adds depth to the sophomore class and gives Michigan a third ESPN Top 100 player (#18).

After four games, Michigan has a FG of 55.8% and 40.5% 3-pointers (20/79). The team's maturity is not that of UConn, but they will still need to be wary. Last year's opener, South Carolina vs. Michigan, was a close call, with a 68-62 victory.



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And Uconn doesn't have any good players?

 

[HuskyNan]

They have a very good coach, just not the caliber of Geno or his staff. It looks like we have them by 15 points. They are good just not Husky good.

Geno and Kim Barnes-Arico know each other’s coaching style from her time at St John’s, the last Big East team to beat UConn at Gampel. She’s an excellent coach and now she has some fantastic talent. I would not pencil in the win just yet

 

[Longtime fan]

a bit of both....... ☺️

If you have any faith in the national rankings, Michigan currently stands at #6.