Ah, yes, the old sportswriting trick of asking a question that will be answered in the positive in the article. The “no-pulling punches” answer is that their weaknesses are still there, although a blowout does help. As does a schedule where Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico can figure it out. The next two home games are against unranked opponents (Wisconsin and Illinois), a non-conference game in Newark against #7 Vanderbilt, and B1G bottom-dwelling Rutgers at Piscataway, before #21 USC comes to Crisler. And now you’re reading the transition sentence that brings you to the answers to the posed question.
Expanded bench can cause benefits
Barnes Arico gave big minutes to non-starters: sophomore Te'Yala Delfosse 22:38, sophomore Kendall Dudley 18:10, freshman McKenzie Mathurin 16:03, and junior Macy Brown 11:23. Also seeing non-cameo minutes were senior Alyssa Crockett 4:03 and grad student Ally VanTimmeran 3:02. Delfosse, particularly, made the most of her minutes filling up the stat sheet with 17 pts, three boards, and two steals. Mathurin did too, scoring 15 pts with 3-4 from 3.
Because Barnes Arico kept them on the floor, they get experience in game conditions, can develop chemistry, and most valuably, video for the coaches to teach from. This shouldn’t be underestimated. Players respond best to direct coaching, and interacting one-on-one not only gives them guidance but confidence. This is particularly crucial when they haven’t seen the floor.
Special players need to keep being special
At this point in the season, it is clear that the headliners for Michigan women's basketball are sophomores Syla Swords (13.9 pts per game) and Olivia Olson (17.7). After the UConn game, when Swords played all 40 minutes and scored 29 points, Barnes Arico said, “She took over the game. She’s a really, really special player, and as a sophomore, to kind of be the leader of our team is a big role, and she’s adjusting to it.” Fast forward eight weeks, and she needs to be that leader.
Olson played for 39 minutes against UConn, putting up 18 pts, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals. Her all-around game and energy pop out. She stuffs the stats sheet, leading the team in points and steals, second in rebounds, and third in blocks.
To be “special” means performing extraordinarily in critical moments (like against UConn) to lead their teams to victory (recently, against Minnesota). Swords and Olson have stepped up when others can't. They’ve showcased elite talent, clutch play, and elevated the team. Teammates likely expect them to deliver in big games. They can’t just be consistent contributors this season. They must justify their high value and status if the Wolverines want to be dancing in March.