The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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APRIL 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 9 BY ANTHONY BROOME F or the first time in a while, there was a true passing of the torch this season within the U-M women's basketball program. Fol- lowing the graduation losses of Naz Hillmon, Leigha Brown, Emily Kiser, Maddie Nolan and others over the last few years, this was set to be a transitional campaign for head coach Kim Barnes Arico. Several months later, the team found itself again heading to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth consecutive time — and seventh overall — on her watch and the 12th time in program history. Barnes Arico pieced together a roster full of transfers and younger faces to con- tinue the team's success in March. "Heading into this year, I probably had a bellyache every day," Barnes Arico said on March 18. "There was this incredible unknown of what this sea- son was going to be. I think from a coach's perspective, it was exciting though, be- cause we haven't been in this position in a long time. We had a lot of the same foun- dation for four or five years. There were a lot of unknowns coming into this year." While getting to March Madness is enough of an accomplishment in its own right, Barnes Arico and the Wolverines want more, and they expect to be in the national championship picture. Making sure you are an annual presence in the NCAA Tournament is a good start as the build continues. Next year, the program brings in the best recruiting class in its history, signing a pair of top-15 guards in Syla Swords (ranked 11th nationally) and Ol- ivia Olson (15th). Both are McDonald's All-Americans. Barnes Arico recalled some lasting ad- vice she got from legendary UConn coach Geno Auriemma. "My first NCAA game was with St. John's, and I was so excited we made the tournament. We were an 8/9 [seed], and we won our first-round game," remem- bered Barnes Arico. "I was so excited and jumping in the hallway. And of course, Geno [Auriemma] had to come and burst my bubble. He hugs me and says congratulations. And then the next thing out of his mouth is, 'It's easy to get here. The hard part is stay- ing here.' I wanted to celebrate the mo- ment. But that was something that has always, always stuck with me." The U-M men's program is now going through its second head coaching change since Barnes Arico was hired in 2012, with both John Beilein and Juwan Howard hav- ing their own share of successes in that span. It is hard to build and sustain, but change is part of the business. Barnes Arico is grate- ful for the time her program got to spend with Howard around it. "In our business and our lives, you have to be prepared for differ- ent things like this to happen," she said. "We were sad as a staff and as a team, because he's a tremendous man. He and his family were wel- coming and embracing to both me, my family, and our entire program. "I remember when he first got here, he'd sit front row with a towel and cheer for Naz Hillmon. He was at our practices and always super supportive of our games. "When you read his statement, he's truly a Michigan man and bleeds maize and blue. I just want to wish him and his family well." Meanwhile, Barnes Arico has built her own machine in Ann Arbor. With 261 wins in 12 seasons — including 11 20-win campaigns in 12 seasons — she is the all- time winningest coach in program his- tory. Right now, the trip to the Elite Eight in 2022 stands as a bar that she wants to keep raising. "What's your legacy and what does your program stand for? What are you trying to do? Build a team that could be consistent year in and year out," she said. "At Michigan, when I came here, [a lot of people said] they can't do it there, or that's not going to happen. That's just our goal every year. "Now, we haven't won the champi- onship yet. But I think the building of a consistent program is pretty exciting and speaks volumes about what we are trying to do." ❑ ❱ Inside Michigan ATHLETICS Kim Barnes Arico Shines As A Model Of Consistency Barnes Arico has now led the Michigan women's basketball pro- gram to six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances — and seven overall — in her 12 seasons in Ann Arbor. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY