The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
women's basketball Five Non-Conference Games To Watch 1. Notre Dame, Dec. 14: The Fighting Irish are establishing themselves as one of the premier women's basketball programs in the entire country. After ripping through the Big East with a perfect 16-0 league record and winning the conference tournament, Notre Dame made its third consecutive Final Four appearance last year. The Irish are picked to finish second in the ACC, their new home, and are loaded with talent. The Wolverines could be overmatched in this one, but a home win over an elite team would rank among the best victories in program history. 2. The Iona Tournament, Nov. 8-9: Michigan's inexperience will get tested right off the bat, with the season-opening game versus Bowling Green in the first round of the Iona Tournament in New Rochelle, N.Y. The Falcons are a dangerous mid-major squad, posting a 24‑11 record with an upset win over Dayton last year and advancing to the third round of the 2013 WNIT. The following day, Michigan will play either host and mid-major power Iona or Arizona, in either the tournament title game or the consolation game, depending on the first day's results. 3. At Virginia, Dec. 5: The Wolverines play at Western Michigan Nov 18, but this Big Ten/ACC Challenge game in Charlottesville, Va., will be their first real test in front of a hostile crowd. The Cavaliers are picked to finish eighth in the brutal ACC, and senior guard Ataira Franklin, a 2013 first-team All-ACC selection after scoring 14.3 points per game and a preseason All-ACC pick this year, is going to provide a huge challenge for the young Michigan backcourt. 4. Barclays Invitational, Nov. 29-30: The Wolverines will take two trips to New York in November, this time heading to the heart of New York City to play in a tournament at the Brooklyn Nets' sparkling new home. The Wolverines will see Texas Tech (21-11 last year) in the first round and either LSU (22-12) or Rutgers (16-14) in either the championship game or the consolation contest the following day. 5. Eastern Michigan, Dec. 11: The Eagles dipped to a disappointing 8-22 record last year after three consecutive seasons with at least 22 wins, including a berth in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. This game has traditionally been a thorn in the Wolverines' side. Michigan travelled to Ypsilanti, Mich., and won a hardfought 55-43 slugfest over Eastern Michigan last year, snapping a three-game losing streak to the Eagles, including a 67-59 upset loss in the first round of the 2011 WNIT. Eastern Michigan always gets up for this game — and it will be a good test for the young Wolverines to clash against an opponent's best shot.