BASKETBALL

Michigan women’s basketball enters Big Ten tournament as No. 5 seed

The Wolverines are two spots behind Ohio State and one ahead of Michigan State

Published

3 months ago

March 3, 2025

Michigan’s Syla Swords (12) calls a play against Michigan State during the first half of their matchup at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. © David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The women’s Big Ten basketball tournament begins this week at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Michigan comes in as the No. 5 seed, which is one spot ahead of Michigan State. USC earned the No. 1 seed, followed by No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Maryland and No. 4 Ohio State.

Michigan basketball awaits opponent in Big Ten tournament

The Wolverines (20-9, 11-7 Big Ten) ended the regular season with a 78-69 road win over Illinois Sunday. Michigan was the sixth seed in 2024 and lost to Iowa in the semifinals, as Caitlin Clark put up a game-high 28 points.

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The Wolverines returned just three players from last season: Jordan Hobbs, Greta Kampschroeder and Alyssa Crockett. Aside from Hobbs (13.2 points per game), Michigan is getting its offense from freshmen guards Syla Swords, Olivia Olson and Mila Holloway.

Wolverines are the No. 5 seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament and will square off against either Washington or Minnesota on Thursday afternoon

More info: https://t.co/XvbujyTmum #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/8vfLu0yHY2

— Michigan Women’s Basketball (@umichwbball) March 3, 2025

Swords assumed a crucial role from the get-go, and she put the country on notice with a game-high 27 points against then-No. 1 South Carolina to begin the season. She leads Michigan in minutes (31.8) and rebounds (6.3) per game, and is second in scoring average (15.6) behind Olson (16).

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The Wolverines are set to play the winner of No. 12 seed Washington and No. 13 seed Minnesota’s first round matchup on Wednesday. The advancing team will play Michigan Thursday on the Big Ten Network. The Wolverines beat both teams in a three-game span in January.

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