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3 takeaways from Michigan women’s basketball loss to Ohio State

By Chris Peterson

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 20: (L-R) Greta Kampschroeder #11, Leigha Brown #32, and Jordan Hobbs #10 of the Michigan Wolverines wear special t-shirts in support of Michigan State University before a college basketball game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Arena on February 20, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines paid tribute to the students that passed away or were impacted by a mass shooting at Michigan State University the previous week. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 20: (L-R) Greta Kampschroeder #11, Leigha Brown #32, and Jordan Hobbs #10 of the Michigan Wolverines wear special t-shirts in support of Michigan State University before a college basketball game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Arena on February 20, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines paid tribute to the students that passed away or were impacted by a mass shooting at Michigan State University the previous week. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /
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The Michigan women’s basketball team hosted Ohio State in a key matchup on Monday night but dropped another game to the Buckeyes and here are three takeaways. 

There is no concern about the Michigan women’s basketball team making the NCAA tournament. Yet, the Wolverines could have really used a win over Ohio State on Monday night.

Michigan women’s basketball entered the game trailing the Buckeyes by 0.5 games for fourth place. A win would have meant that the Wolverines controlled their own destiny for the No. 4 spot and the double-bye that comes with it.

Instead, the Wolverines suffered a backbreaking 74-61 loss to their arch-rival, and here are three takeaways.

A costly defeat for Michigan women’s basketball

When the NCAA tournament selection committee released its early bracket projection, Michigan was a No. 3 seed, which would mean hosting the regional, like the Wolverines did last season.

Ohio State was a top-16 seed too. But after a second straight loss by double figures, you wonder if the Wolverines will be able to maintain that position.

Winning the next two games against Rutgers and Wisconsin will help. Both teams have losing records and at 20-6 overall, Michigan lost its margin for error in terms of being a top-16 seed.

Leigha Brown is amazing

Michigan didn’t win the game but Leigha Brown was simply spectacular. She struggled in the first game against Ohio State and was held to single figures last Thursday against Indiana. On “The Blue Out” she came out on fire.

Brown made 11-of-22 shots from the field and was 3-of-7 from the 3-point line to finish with 36 points. She also grabbed nine rebounds and dished out three assists.

The problem is that she didn’t have enough help. Michigan women’s basketball really struggled to take care of the ball and turned it over 23 times.

Brown committed five of those but what was worse was the rest of the starting lineup shooting a combined 8-for-24. Against a team like Ohio State, that’s just not going to cut it.

The Wolverines need Lalia Phelia

Over the last two games, you could really see how much the Michigan women’s basketball team missed Lalia Phelia. When the Wolverines have her and Brown, they are so much more dynamic offensively and they wouldn’t have had the same issues with pressure.

Jordan Hoobs is super talented. She’s a really talented two-way player but she made too many mistakes with the ball on Monday and she wasn’t alone.

Next. 3 things we learned in win over MSU. dark

It’s just hard for this team to fulfill its potential without Phelia. We don’t know if she’ll be back this season but it’s clear how badly she’s been missed.