The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/262939
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL is whether we can see that improve- ment on the defensive end. They have been taken advantage of on the defensive end inside by a lot of teams lately. I think our post defense has to get better, moving forward." In Michigan's five losses, it sur- rendered 34 points in the paint to Nebraska, 28 to Purdue, 30 to Minne- sota, 36 at Nebraska and 32 to Ohio State — an average of 32.0 points per contest. "At times, our defense does really well at getting stops," Goree said. "And other times, I think we relax, and they are able to knock down shots. We have to keep the pressure up the whole game, which will cause them to get frustrated and miss shots. We can't let them get too comfort- able. If they get comfortable, that's when they're going to start knocking down shots." The Wolverines' perimeter de- fense took a dip, too. After the first 18 games of the season, the Wolver- ines ranked second in the Big Ten in opponent three-point shooting (29.4 percent). In the six games prior to Feb. 17, Michigan allowed its op- ponents to shoot 38.6 percent from three-point range. "You have to try and get a hand up," Goree said. "At the end of the day, it comes down to making the shot harder for them." U-M STAYING POSITIVE After a 69-60 win over Illinois Jan. 18, the Wolverines stood at 13-5 overall, with an impressive 4-1 re- cord in Big Ten play. At that time, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL REWIND: JAN. 21-FEB.16 Record: 16-10 overall, 7-6 Big Ten. Record From Jan. 21-Feb. 16: 3-5. Best Win — 70-68 at Northwestern: After consecutive lopsided losses to Nebraska and Minnesota, the Wolverines needed some positive vibes. They got them in Evanston, Ill., escaping Welsh-Ryan Arena with a 70-68 win. Freshman point guard Siera Thompson went off in the back-and-forth affair, scorching the Wildcats for a career-high 25 points, including a career-best five three-pointers. With the clock winding down and the score knotted at 68, Thompson drove into the lane and drew a foul with 5.6 seconds left. She sunk both free throws to put the Wolverines up by two, and Northwestern's last-second prayer fell short. Juniors Cyesha Goree and Nicole Elmblad had big nights, too, with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Worst Loss — 61-50 vs. Ohio State: The Buckeyes have consistently been one of the Big Ten's top teams for the last decade. But, under first-year head coach Kevin McGuff, Ohio State is struggling to find its footing. The Wolver- ines should have been able to beat them at home, but the offense never