@ Illinois

Illinois, 11-8 and 3-6, is on a four game losing streak. Jenna Smith is playing on a bum knee, but she still managed 24 points in 39 mintues at PSU in her last game. She's averaging 19.3 ppg and 10. rpg. Freshman Karisma Penn is the only other Illini averaging double figures at 11.7.
 
The HS Gatorade Player of the Year in Michigan last year, Destiny Williams, officially left the team a couple of weeks ago to transfer to Baylor. The other freshman from Michigan, Amber Moore, is out with an ACL.

Nya gets some ink at the Daily:
http://www.michigandaily.com/content/jordan-uses-playing-time-prove-herself

and a pre-game article from the same:
http://www.michigandaily.com/content/michigan-womens-basketball-team-says-enough-enough

Junior guard Veronica Hicks and the Wolverines will have their hands full against an Illinois squad that forces 18 turnovers per game. And turnovers can certainly paralyze Michigan coach Kevin Borseth's aggressive offense.

Since Michigan’s offensive scheme is often disrupted by large and assertive defenses, second chances and offensive put-backs will be key components in capturing the victory over the Illini.

And that means Ryan will have to give the Wolverines the spark they need under the net.

Michigan is really looking good in this game. Leading by as many as 17, the halftime score is 38-24. 7 assists, 6 turnovers, 7 steals and an 18-12 rebounding advantage. 17 of the points are off turnovers.
 
Carmen leads all with 16 points. Day leads with 5 steals. Nya leads with 5 rebounds.

64-48, final.

Jolette Law was playing "line-up shake-up" at the wrong time, benching senior starters Smith, Simpson and Toone. Karisma Penn was the only ILL player who was a threat. Once the Wolverines got out to a lead, they never gave it back. The bench was emptied in the last two minutes, so everyone got to see the floor.

http://www.michigandaily.com/content/wolverines-use-earlier-run-breeze-victory-illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/multimedia/audio/2010/01/28/law-opts-not-to-start-seniors-illini-still-fall-to-michigan

Great game, Ladies!
I don't know what Coach Law was doing but it didn't matter once they were put in the game.  The Lady Wolverines looked awesome last night!  They are looking like the team that I anticipated they could be.  Nya is doing a wonderful job off the bench!  K.P. had a great game last night.  Carmen was stupendous again!  Day, Jenny, Ronnie....everyone contributed in this game!

The key thing for me in the turnaround is the DEFENSE!  It seems like they are understanding the concepts MUCH BETTER now!  They always have had the speed to defend but there were always lapses in the understanding. 
I did not see that last night.  Even though they played a zone, it was an aggressive zone.  It wasn't the Indiana zone! 

Let's keep it up ladies!  You are bringing some sunshine to my cloudy days, most certainly!!!!

GO BLUE!!!
 
Note:  I mentioned the zone as if that was what they were playing on defense the entire time and they weren't.  It should be noted that I am just not a big fan of zone defense. So, for the little time that they were in a zone, that was the one thing that stood out to me about it.  They played man the majority of the game with a heavy sag to help with the bigs....Just wanted to clarify

Looking great ON THE ROAD, winning big on the road AGAINST A BIG TEN TEAM, looking great on the road against a big ten team LATER IN THE SEASON!?!?!

Don't pinch me

WOW! Unlike other recent seasons, the team definitely seems to be getting better as the season progresses, and the last two games have been a real gut check when it looked like the season was hanging by a thread at 2-6 in conference.

Yes...what everyone has said including JetJaguar!!!! A big road win against a B11 team is a certain sign of improvement.

Next up are the LadyNitz at home. I still hate Penn State for keeping Rene the Whiney Bigot Portland around for so long. I am also not quite sold on them being as good as their record this season. If nothing else, tOSU is clearly IMO a better team than PSU, and Michigan darn near pulled off a sweep of the Buckeyes. So the PSU at home game is a game that Michigan can and MUST win to keep the momentum going, get closer to .500 in conference and closer to clinching a winning season and all that goes with that.

KEEP IT UP, Wolverine Women!!!!! BEAT THE NITS, and let's keep this Big Maize and Blue Juggernaut GOING!!!!!!!!