Peepers' Picks: Michigan's 10-Point Thrashing of MSU Puts the Spartans on Deficit in 2023 NCAA Semifinals!
Angelique Chengelis and Tony Paul of The Detroit News predict how far Michigan and Michigan State will go in the Women's NCAA Tournament: Michigan ➤ Angelique Chengelis: The Wolverines are young but performed well during a rigorous season that featured games against some of the top teams in the country. They are led by a trio of sophomores – Olivia Olson, Syla Swords and Mila Holloway – who helped Michigan to a top-16 seed and an opportunity to host first- and second-round games. Being able to host in the Women's NCAA Tournament is an enormous advantage and gives teams a favorable path to the Sweet 16.
Michigan will beat Holy Cross and the winner of N. C. State vs.
Tennessee and will make the Sweet 16. And now that the Wolverines have had a chance to rest since a tough finish to the season, they will be sharp enough to make a run to the Elite Eight for the second time in program history. But this team is a year away from getting beyond there and into the Final Four.
More: Michigan earns No. 2 seed as host team in Women's NCAA Tournament ➤ Tony Paul: It’s not very often you get a breather moving from the regular season to the NCAA Tournament. But that’s the case for Michigan, which faced a gauntlet of a schedule down the stretch and now gets to host a game or (likely) two at Crisler Center this week.
Michigan’s star sophomores were freshmen when they got to the second round a year ago. Expect a slightly deeper run this year – even though perennial powers Tennessee and N. C.