Michigan opened its 2026-27 women’s basketball season with a result that says plenty about where this team can go. On Thursday night, the Wolverines welcomed No. 2 UConn and walked away with a 77-66 win that looked even more convincing once the second quarter tilted hard in Michigan’s favor.
That middle stretch was the difference. Michigan outscored the Huskies 18-8 in the second quarter and never let them fully climb back in, even when UConn had chances to make it interesting. After falling to Texas in last season’s Elite 8, the Wolverines got the kind of early measuring-stick game they needed - and passed it.
Te’Yala Delfosse was the player who kept Michigan steady when the offense needed a lift. The junior guard was everywhere, attacking the rim, finishing layups and knocking down jumpers on her way to 22 points and nine rebounds. She nearly turned in a double-double against a UConn defense that usually makes life miserable for opponents.
Delfosse’s production stood out even more because her role last season was limited. She started one game and appeared in 35, and if Thursday was any indication, Michigan may have found a major piece for the year ahead.
The Wolverines also did a strong job on Sarah Strong, which is no small thing. Strong, last season’s player of the year, finished with 13 points, but Michigan kept her off the board in the first half. She didn’t score in either the first or second quarter, and UConn had to work to get her going after halftime.
Michigan’s rotations were sharp, and when Strong found space, the Wolverines closed out quickly. That defensive effort had to please Kim Barnes Arico, especially in the season opener.
There’s also reason to like the roster balance. Michigan brought back four of five starters from last season, though Mia Holloway was out with an injury. Even without her, the Wolverines showed enough on Thursday to suggest they have the pieces for a big year.
Dallas Loughridge didn’t have the debut she probably wanted. The newcomer, who played pro ball in Australia and averaged nearly 26 points, went 1-for-9 from the field. But with the way Michigan looked overall, that kind of night feels more like an outlier than a concern.
If Loughridge settles in, Michigan’s offense could become even tougher to handle. For now, the Wolverines have already put one of the sport’s best teams on notice.
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Michigan State Faces One Last Chance To Flip This Rivalry Mood
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For the Spartans, the timing could hardly be more delicate. They have dropped six straight and are still sorting through the status of their starting quarterback because of injury, which leaves a lot riding on how they respond in a game that means more than the standings suggest. Both programs and both coaches know the rivalry can reset a seasons conversation in a hurry, and Michigan State still has one last chance to change the tone before this one is over. [Read more 🡒]