Michigan Wolverines Women’s Basketball Off to Strong Start
The Michigan Wolverines women’s basketball team is having quite a remarkable start this season. They recently triumphed over Birmingham with a score of 120-50 at home on Tuesday night, improving their record to 4-0. This success has propelled them into the top 10 in the Associated Press poll, marking the second highest ranking in the program’s history—a notable leap since they were ranked 6th back in February 2022.
The backbone of this team consists of a talented group of sophomores who have notably developed since their freshman years. It’s going to be interesting for them to navigate the expectations that come with being in the top 10.
From the perspective of the Associated Press voters, Michigan’s progress is evident. They began the season ranked 13th but slipped a place in the second week. However, they made a dramatic jump in the third week, moving from 14th to 6th after securing victories against Canisius College and Harvard, followed by a commanding win over No. 24 Notre Dame, finishing 93-54 last weekend.
This squad has the potential to pull off some surprises later in the season, making them a team to watch as they chase accolades in both the Big Ten Tournament and possibly as dark horses in the NCAA Tournament. Their impressive record is backed by strategic team building, diligent recruiting, and a dedicated group of players brimming with talent.
Promising Sophomores: Olson and Sword
ESPN recently ranked the University of Michigan’s 2024-25 freshman class at No. 8. Notably, Saira Swords, ranked 4th, is now the highest-ranked prospect in the program’s history. Alongside her, Michigan secured Olivia Olson, ranked 20th, and four-star prospect Mila Holloway, forming a dynamic lineup of point guard, shooting guard, and forward that has worked very well for the Wolverines.
Swords, a sophomore, has an impressive amount of international basketball experience among her peers. During her senior year of high school, she participated in Team Canada’s Olympic qualifying tournament and earned a place on the squad for the 2024 Paris Games, making her the youngest player to do so. Over the summer, she rejoined the Canadian program and showcased her skills in multiple tournaments, including the Women’s American Cup, where she averaged 9.6 points and helped Canada secure a bronze medal.
In the U19 World Cup, Swords averaged 15.9 points, contributing significantly, even though Canada narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth. Meanwhile, Olivia Olson truly shone during her freshman year. Averaging 16.3 points, she earned accolades like Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year, along with Second Team and All-Freshman Team honors.
Now in her second year, Olson continues to excel, leading Michigan in all four games so far. Her average of 17.8 points per game is impressive, especially since she’s spending fewer minutes on the court compared to last year.
Upcoming Challenges in Connecticut
Michigan has had a solid chance to assess its potential against non-conference opponents, but the real test is just around the corner. They are gearing up to face No. 1 ranked UW at their home court in Connecticut this weekend.
UConn boasts top players like sophomore Sarah Strong and redshirt senior Aji Fuad, presenting a considerable challenge. If Michigan can hold their ground against such a powerhouse, it could serve as a massive confidence boost for the team. Not to mention, competing against UConn demonstrates the strength of women’s college basketball overall. However, it’s fair to say that Michigan may pose one of the biggest challenges UConn has encountered this season.
Olson’s matchup with Strong, who has shown her defensive prowess this season with an average of 3.3 steals and 2.5 blocks, will certainly be a focal point. Scoring against her would be a tough ask for Olson.
As for Swords, she aims to step up her game against Fudd. In a prior match against Notre Dame, she had an explosive start but couldn’t find her groove afterward. If she can channel her summer performances with Canada, she could draw closer to Fudd’s impressive shooting percentages this season.
As the Wolverines maintain their undefeated record, going head-to-head with a team like UW at this stage definitely adds pressure but also invaluable experience. With their hard-working mentality and readiness to learn from tough situations, this game could prove pivotal for them as they approach the heart of their season.
Ultimately, this could pave the way for Michigan to emerge as dark horses come March.
