Michigan Faces Tough Opponent in Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The University of Michigan women’s basketball team (20-9) secured the No. 5 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, earning a first-round bye. The Wolverines will face the winner of the first-round matchup between Minnesota and Washington in the tournament’s second round on Thursday, March 6, at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Michigan finished the regular season tied for fifth in the Big Ten standings with an 11-7 record, surpassing Michigan State and Illinois in tiebreak scenarios to secure a higher seed. This season marks the tenth consecutive year that Michigan has achieved at least nine wins in conference play and the seventh season in program history with 11 or more wins in the Big Ten.

In the 2024 tournament, the Wolverines reached the semifinals, where they beat Minnesota and Indiana, marking their best showing since making the semifinals in 2019 and 2020. Michigan will aim to replicate that success against the victor of the Minnesota-Washington game. Earlier this season, Michigan defeated Minnesota 70-65 on January 22, and secured an 82-69 home win against Washington on January 15. Historically, Michigan holds a 2-0 all-time record against Minnesota in Big Ten Tournament play, having last faced them in 2024.

Michigan’s last outing saw them triumph over Illinois 75-66 on March 2, marking their 20th victory of the season. Since the program’s inception, U-M has reached the 20-win mark in all but one season, during the pandemic-affected 2020-21 campaign when they only played 22 games. Of note, this season’s success marks the 16th time in program history that Michigan has achieved at least 20 wins, with 12 of those seasons occurring under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.

Individual accolades came for the Wolverines as well, with freshman guard Izzy Olson named Co-Freshman of the Year and both Olson and freshman forward Jenna Swords earning spots on the All-Big Ten second team. Olson shares her freshman distinction with Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge. This recognition underscores Michigan’s strong recruiting efforts, particularly with their three freshmen starters: Olson, Swords, and Holloway.

The Wolverines arrive in Indianapolis as the No. 27 ranked team in the NCAA‘s NET rankings, one of seven Big Ten schools within the top 30. The tournament’s competitive field includes powerhouse teams like Maryland, USC, Indiana, and Oregon. The impending matchup not only provides a stepping stone towards the championship but also serves as a critical platform for bolstering NCAA Tournament bids.

As the tournament kicks off, anticipation builds surrounding Michigan’s potential for a deep postseason run. The women’s basketball scene at this year’s Big Ten Tournament promises intense competition, impactful narratives, and the possibility of extraordinary outcomes for the participating teams.