It was a statement weekend for the No. 9 Michigan women’s basketball team - and they made it loud and clear in enemy territory.
In what was the highest-ranked matchup in the history of the in-state rivalry, the Wolverines went into East Lansing and edged out No. 13 Michigan State in a thrilling overtime battle, 94-91.
Add that to the men’s team pulling off a top-10 win just two days earlier, and it’s safe to say Ann Arbor owned the weekend.
But for head coach Kim Barnes Arico and her squad, this was more than just a rivalry win - it was a defining moment in a season that’s quickly gaining momentum. Now sitting alone in second place in the Big Ten standings, Michigan is staring down a pivotal two-game homestand.
First up: a matchup with Nebraska. Then comes the big one - a showdown with No.
2 UCLA, the current leader of the conference.
Taking Care of Business in Bloomington
Before the fireworks in East Lansing, Michigan took care of business in Bloomington with ruthless efficiency. The Wolverines dismantled Indiana 95-67 at Assembly Hall, a venue that’s seen better days for the Hoosiers. Indiana’s struggles in conference play continued - just one win in 11 tries - and Michigan wasted no time capitalizing.
The Wolverines built an 18-point halftime lead and never looked back. What stood out?
Discipline and defensive pressure. Michigan turned the ball over just 11 times while forcing 23 on the other end, converting those mistakes into a whopping 34 points.
That’s the kind of two-way dominance that wins games in March.
Sophomore guard Olivia Olson led the charge with 27 points, showcasing her growing confidence and ability to take over games. Michigan’s 43.8% shooting from beyond the arc helped them stretch the floor and keep Indiana chasing shadows all night.
The only blemish? Free throws.
The Wolverines left points on the table with an 18-for-28 performance from the line - just 64.2%. That’s an area they’ll need to clean up as the schedule tightens.
A Rivalry Classic in East Lansing
Then came Sunday’s showdown in East Lansing, a game that lived up to the hype and then some. For the first time ever, both teams entered the rivalry game ranked in the top 15, and they delivered a back-and-forth battle that needed overtime to settle.
Michigan outlasted Michigan State 94-91 in a game filled with big-time plays, momentum swings, and the kind of intensity you expect when bragging rights are on the line. It was a slugfest, and the Wolverines had just a little more left in the tank when it mattered most.
“It was an excellent basketball game,” Barnes Arico said afterward. “Two great teams, two top teams in the country, in the same state.
It’s pretty incredible. The rivalry is real.
… We just had to make play after play down the stretch. And I thought our kids were really able to do that in a hard-fought game.
But anytime you can win in the Big Ten on the road, it’s really incredible.”
She’s not wrong. Winning on the road in this conference is no small feat - especially in a rivalry game with this much emotion. But Michigan showed poise, resilience, and the kind of late-game execution that separates contenders from the rest of the pack.
What’s Next
Now comes the real test. Sitting in second place is nice, but the Wolverines know what’s coming.
Nebraska is up first - a game they can’t afford to overlook. Then it’s UCLA, the No. 2 team in the country and the current standard-bearer in the Big Ten.
This week could define Michigan’s season. Two wins would put them in prime position to challenge for the conference crown. And if they keep playing the way they did this past week - forcing turnovers, hitting threes, and finding ways to win close games - there’s no reason to think they can’t do it.
The Wolverines are heating up. And with March creeping closer, they’re starting to look like a team no one wants to face.