The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/106890
Women's Basketball Rewind: Dec. 17-Jan. 20 Overall Record: 15-2 overall (4-0 Big Ten) Record Dec. 17-Jan. 20: 6-0 overall (4-0 Big Ten) National Ranking: No. 25 Associated Press poll Best Win — 68-64 at Iowa: Winning on the road is not an easy thing to do, but the Wolverines keep pulling out games away from Ann Arbor. With the victory in Iowa City Jan. 6, Michigan improved its road record to an impressive 4‑1, with the lone loss coming against a tough Utah team in the third game of head coach Kim Barnes Arico's tenure. The Hawkeyes are no slouch, either, sitting in fifth place in the Big Ten as of Jan. 20 with a 14-5 overall record. Senior center Rachel Sheffer led the way with a game-high 26 points, while senior guard Kate Thompson hit five three-pointers on her way to 19 points. Worst Loss — N/A: The Wolverines have outscored opponents by an average of 20.8 points per game in the last six contests. Things will certainly get tougher from here, though. Seven of the Wolverines' 12 remaining regularseason games come against teams currently in the top half of the Big Ten standings. MVP — Senior Guard Jenny Ryan: Ryan is a model of consistency, and a major reason why the Wolverines are 15‑2 and off to their best start in program history. In the last six games, Ryan totaled 69 points, 41 assists, 27 rebounds, an incredible 20 steals and just 16 turnovers. She has proven time and time again that she can rise to any occasion, and now that she has started scoring more frequently, Ryan is one of the most reliable players in the Big Ten, if not the country. Notable Stat: Despite going through a coaching transition and learning a completely new system, the Wolverines are one of the most disciplined teams in the nation. As of Jan. 20, Michigan ranked second nationally in personal fouls, picking up just 10.4 per game. Only North Carolina State had fouled less, averaging 10.3 fouls per game. No other team in the country was averaging less than 11.0 per game. Upcoming Game To Watch — at Michigan State Feb. 4: The Wolverines are a woeful 15-60 all time versus their in-state rival Michigan State. Michigan is currently riding a 10-game losing streak to the Spartans, dating back to a 64-54 Michigan win on Jan. 13, 2008. But you have to look back even further to find the Wolverines' last victory in East Lansing. Michigan hasn't toppled Michigan State on the road since Jan. 25, 2001, when the Wolverines beat the Spartans 58-49. A win in the Breslin Center would be huge for the program. — Andy Reid