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Michigan women’s basketball: Grading last week (2/6), this week’s major game

By Chris Peterson

Michigan State Spartans guard Matilda Ekh (11) drives against Michigan Wolverines guard Maddie Nolan (3) during third-quarter action at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.Umw 011423 Kd 2609
Michigan State Spartans guard Matilda Ekh (11) drives against Michigan Wolverines guard Maddie Nolan (3) during third-quarter action at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.Umw 011423 Kd 2609 /
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The Michigan women’s basketball team added to its winning streak this week and we grade the win over Nebraska and look ahead. 

There’s no question about whether or not the Michigan women’s basketball team will be headed to the NCAA tournament or not, but the Wolverines notched another solid win to add to their resume on Sunday against Nebraska.

Once again, Michigan women’s basketball got off to a strong start outscoring the Huskers 19-11 in the first quarter on Sunday. Yet, the Huskers, who are right on the NCAA tournament bubble, weren’t going away and actually took a four-point lead in the third quarter.

However, Alyssa Crocket delivered a 3-pointer to put Michigan women’s basketball back in front right after Emily Kiser and Leigha Brown tied the game.

Nebraska grabbed the lead again but Kiser and Brown led the Wolverines to their fourth straight win. Michigan was given a No. 3 seed last week by the NCAA tournament selection committee in what’s essentially an early bracket preview.

So this team is well on its way. Brown had another stellar outing with 23 points,10 assists, and five rebounds. The senior point guard is averaging 17.9 points per game this season and during this four-game winning streak, she’s averaged 24.25 points.

Maddie Nolan hit two more 3-pointers and she’s up to 34.5 percent on the season. She had 13 points and Emily Kiser tacked on 15 points and five rebounds.

Grade: A — Even without Lalia Phelia, the Michigan women’s basketball team completed a sweep of a pretty solid Nebraska team and improved to 20-5 on the season and 10-4 in the Big Ten.

Previewing to the week of 2/13 for Michigan women’s basketball

Michigan is tied for fourth in the Big Ten women’s standings. Indiana is in the top spot at 13-1 and that’s who Indiana plays on Thursday in Bloomington.

The Wolverines won’t play until next Monday, so Indiana is on the only game this week for Michigan women’s basketball but it’s a big game. The Wolverines need as many wins as they can get to stick in the top four.

Indiana won the first game 92-83 in Ann Arbor, so it’s going to be a huge challenge and could really help Michigan’s seed push even higher. The Wolverines are ranked 12th, while Indiana is No. 2. The game will be televised Thursday on the Big Ten Network at 8:30 PM EST.