The Wolverine

December 2020

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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48 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2020 2020-21 BASKETBALL PREVIEW tournamnet title, which U-M had been unable to accomplish in the first 26 years of the event. "Our kids want that Big Ten cham- pionship, and that's why they de- cided to come to the University of Michigan — to do something in women's basketball that has never been done here before. "Ultimately, that is our goal and what we're striving for. And we know if that happens, the other pieces are going to fall into place." This year's club consists of plenty of key pieces, none more important than junior forward Naz Hillmon, who was tabbed as the Co-Big Ten Player of the Year this preseason. The Cleveland native averaged 17.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season. "She is such a presence on the floor," Barnes Arico raved. "Her length is so incredible, and her hands and her ability to run the floor are amazing. "She's just such a difficult matchup for anyone in a one-on-one situation. She draws a double team pretty much on every possession, and that allows everybody else to get open looks. "That's the biggest benefit for us. If anyone wants to play her one- on-one, her eyes light up and I start smiling. She's so difficult to guard in a one-on-one situation. "She's probably going to face a lot of double teams and different things this season, which hopefully opens things up for our guard play." U-M shot the three at 32.8 percent last season, which was eighth in the Big Ten. Barnes Arico is confident that the attention defenses will be paying Hillmon, along with junior point guard Amy Dilk's playmaking prowess, will allow that number to improve. "Our guards have worked really hard in the offseason on being able to Five Key Opponents 1. Michigan State U-M won two games against its in-state ri- val last season. The Spartans finished the campaign 16-14, but remain an opponent the Wolverines look forward to playing. "That game is just different," head coach Kim Barnes Arico said. "Every game, we have a responsibility to protect the block 'M' — and we talk about that each and every single game — but when you play Michi- gan State, it's different." 2. Northwestern U - M p u l l e d o f f a 6 7 - 5 9 u p s e t o v e r the Wildcats in the Big Ten Tournament l a s t s e a s o n , a f t e r losing the first two meetings. The defending co-conference champi- ons of the regular season are ranked No. 17 in the preseason AP poll. 3. Ohio State The rival Buckeyes t o o k d o w n t h e Wolverines in both of the meetings between the two teams last season, 78-69 in Columbus and 66-60 in the conference tournament. Another priority game for U-M, beating the preseason No. 20 team will be of high importance. 4. Maryland The Wolverines will look for revenge when p l a y i n g M a r y l a n d , with U-M losing both meetings last season by a combined 43 points. The Ter- rapins are ranked 12th in the AP poll coming into the campaign. 5. Indiana Checking in at No. 16 i n t h e p r e s e a s o n rankings, the Hoosiers were too much for U-M to handle last season, beating the Wolverines 78-60 at Crisler Center. Guard Akienreh Johnson, a fifth-year senior, started every game last sesaon and compiled 10.3 points and 6.5 boards per contest. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

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