Michigan Women’s Basketball Is Rolling - And They’re Just Getting Started
Don’t look now, but Michigan women’s basketball is quietly putting together one of the most impressive starts in program history - and they’re doing it with a core of sophomores who are playing like seasoned vets.
Since a narrow three-point loss to top-ranked UConn, the Wolverines have ripped off five straight wins and held steady at No. 6 in the AP Top 25. That’s the second-highest ranking the program has ever reached, trailing only their Elite Eight run in 2021-22.
But here’s the kicker: this is the earliest in any season that Michigan has cracked the top 10. In other words, they’re ahead of schedule - and the Big Ten hasn’t even heated up yet.
At 9-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play, Michigan is set to host Oakland this Sunday, December 21, at the Crisler Center, with tip-off slated for noon. The men’s team takes the floor later that afternoon against La Salle, but make no mistake - the women are setting the tone in Ann Arbor right now.
A Sophomore Core That’s Already Leading the Way
What makes this Michigan team so intriguing isn’t just the record or the ranking - it’s how they’re doing it. Head coach Kim Barnes Arico has a roster that’s not just talented, but deep, versatile, and young. Four players - all true sophomores - are averaging double figures, and each brings something different to the table.
Start with Olivia Olson, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year. She’s picked up right where she left off, continuing to be a force on both ends of the floor.
Then there’s Syla Swords, the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2024 class, who’s already showing why she came in with so much hype. Mila Holloway has been steady and poised at the point from day one, running the offense with the kind of control you don’t usually see from a second-year player.
And Te’Yala Delfosse? After battling injuries as a freshman, she’s emerging as a breakout star - the kind of player who can take over a game when needed.
But it’s not just those four. Michigan’s rotation goes 10-deep, with six other players logging at least 10 minutes per game. That depth is no accident - it’s a weapon.
“Our versatility and that we can go deep into our bench - I think that’s probably one of the biggest differences,” Barnes Arico said. “A lot of people ask what the difference is between last year and this year, and I think our ability to go to our bench and not lose anything has been really, really important.”
That flexibility has allowed Michigan to mix and match lineups, play multiple styles, and keep legs fresh - all while maintaining elite efficiency on both ends of the court.
Dominance by the Numbers
Let’s talk about how dominant this team has been. Outside of the UConn loss, every single win has come by at least 20 points.
That includes a 39-point demolition of then-No. 18 Notre Dame - the largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent in program history.
That’s not just winning; that’s making a statement.
Offensively, the Wolverines are humming. According to Bart Torvik’s advanced metrics, they rank:
- 8th in adjusted offensive efficiency
- 12th in effective field goal percentage (eFG%)
- 4th in offensive rebounding percentage (OR%)
- Top-30 in tempo
- Top-50 in turnover rate
Translation: they score efficiently, crash the glass hard, play fast, and take care of the ball. That’s a tough combo to stop.
And defensively? They’re just as stingy:
- 5th in adjusted defensive efficiency
- 9th in eFG% allowed
- 6th in turnover rate
So not only are they lighting up the scoreboard, they’re locking down opponents on the other end. That two-way excellence is what separates good teams from great ones - and Michigan is clearly trending toward the latter.
The Big Ten Gauntlet Is Coming
Of course, things are about to get a lot more interesting. The Big Ten is stacked this year.
Twelve teams rank in Bart Torvik’s national top 40, including:
- No.
2 UCLA
- No.
6 Michigan
- No.
9 Nebraska
- No.
12 Iowa
- No.
13 USC
- No.
14 Minnesota
- No.
15 Maryland
- No.
25 Oregon
- No.
26 Michigan State
- No.
30 Washington
- No.
33 Ohio State
- No.
40 Illinois
That’s a loaded field, and it means every week in conference play is going to feel like March. But Michigan looks built for it. They’ve got the talent, the depth, and the mentality to compete with anyone.
“We’re certainly not a finished product,” Barnes Arico said. “One of the best things about us is our ability to continue to improve.”
That’s a scary thought for the rest of the Big Ten. Because if this is what Michigan looks like in December - balanced, explosive, and deep - imagine where they could be come March.
For now, the Wolverines are rolling. And with a young core leading the way and a battle-tested coach at the helm, there’s every reason to believe this run is just getting started.