Women's BB Team Defeats ISU 56-49; Now 8-1
While everyone's waiting to find out the football's team bowl destination and opponent, here's some more good news from Crisler: The women's basketball team bounced back from a close loss to #6 Maryland on Wednesday to beat Iowa State 56-49 this afternoon in a Big Ten/Big Twelve Challenge game. The team was led by Jenny Ryan, who had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, Courtney Boylan (17 points), and Kate Thompson (15 points). After struggling with their three-point shooting earlier in the year, the team had a good game from behind the arc, shooting 8 for 18.
The team is now 8-1 on the year, which is obviously a great start, although to be fair the nonconference schedule this year isn't a particularly tough one. They have managed to avoid any "bad" losses, so their tournament resume is looking good so far.
Next up, the women will be looking for revenge, as they face two teams they lost to last year: Detroit and EMU. Both games are on the road: at Detroit on Thursday at 5:00 pm and then at EMU next Sunday at 2:00 pm.
If they can pull off victories in those two matchups, plus win their last two remaining nonconference games against Indiana St. and Illinois St., the women's team would be in great shape heading into Big Ten play.
Go Blue!
December 4th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^
They are putting together quite a season, they got screwed out of an NCAA tourney bid last year...I think they get one this year.
Speaking of other sports, someone needs to get Dave Brandon to invest some money into a brand new track and field stadium and indoor facility because what we have currently is a joke.
December 4th, 2011 at 4:25 PM ^
Borseth will bring us a BIg Ten Championship soon and some deep runs into the tournament!
Most under-rated coach in America!
December 4th, 2011 at 4:31 PM ^
The non-conference schedule hasn't been too bad. They had a big win at Florida, who are projected to be a tourny team this year (they beat a ranked Florida State team and Michigan is their only loss).
December 4th, 2011 at 4:50 PM ^
Florida also lost to another ranked team, Rutgers, a couple of days ago.
The Florida win was definitely a good win. I wasn't saying the schedule is filled with cupcakes, but it definitely is lacking in ranked teams. Last year, the team faced four top 25 teams in nonconference action. That schedule certainly gave the team more opportunities for "signature" wins.
I'm also not complaining about the schedule. Having an easier schedule might make their path to a tourney bid easier. If they end nonconference play with 11 or 12 victories, they should easily get past the 20-win mark overall, which hopefully would get them off the tournament bubble they were stuck on the last two seasons.
December 4th, 2011 at 4:40 PM ^
They are a solid program. That is not going to be an easy game for Michigan.
December 4th, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^
Always good to see Michigan sports doing well. Make sure you all catch the women's volleyball team in the sweet 16 this week as well!!
December 4th, 2011 at 5:06 PM ^
Borseth is really entertaining to watch on the sideline. The highlight of this game was we he took exception to something one of our players did and took a nose dive into a folding chair.
December 4th, 2011 at 5:34 PM ^
I really like the women's bball team, and I am a big fan of what Borseth has done to make them a competitive program. They had a great season last year but pooped the bed in the Big Ten Tournament and the WNIT. If they have a similar season but avoid the late-season meltdown, they will make the NCAA Tournament and springboard them into the elite among the Big Ten.