Sunday, December 8
Ann Arbor, Mich.
1 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Michigan
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Visits No. 23 Michigan Sunday For Big Ten Opener
12/7/2024 3:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
‘Cats currently riding three-game win streak
EVANSTON, Ill. (December 7, 2024) – Winners of three straight games, Northwestern (4-3) raises the curtain on its Big Ten Conference slate on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. (CT) when it battles No. 23 Michigan inside the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Last Time Out
Caileigh Walsh surpassed 1,000 points for her career as Northwestern held off a late DePaul rally, defeating the Blue Demons by a final count of 64-56 this past Wednesday inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. The win was the Wildcats' first over their rival to the south since the 2014-15 season.
Walsh led Northwestern in scoring for the 28th time in her career, closing the night with 14 points, in addition to four rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. She became the first Wildcat to join the 1,000-point club since Veronica Burton in 2020-21.
Grace Sullivan continued her stellar play of late, finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds. Sullivan, who has reached double figures in scoring in five of Northwestern's seven games, is averaging 13.6 points across the Wildcats' last five contests. Caroline Lau ripped down a career-best 12 rebounds, while also tallying seven assists and three steals. Lau has five games of five-plus assists this season.
Scouting Michigan
Since dropping a 68-62 decision to then No. 1 South Carolina to begin the season, Michigan (7-1) has ripped off seven straight wins. Earlier in the week, the Wolverines entered the Associated Press Top 25 Poll at No. 23.
Michigan, which finished 20-14 (9-9 B1G) last season en route to a sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance, has been idle since winning the Fort Myers Tip-Off, November 29-30, where it picked up victories over Belmont, 68-58, and Virginia Tech, 76-65, respectively.
Freshman guard Syla Swords has burst on the scene, averaging a team-best 18.8 points across Michigan's first eight games. Swords was named the Most Valuable Player of the Fort Myers Tip-Off after putting up 19.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in the Wolverines' two wins, a pair of performances that also saw her tabbed Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Fellow freshman Olivia Olson sits just behind Swords on the Michigan scoring chart, contributing 16.1 points per game for a Michigan offense that ranks 13th nationally in scoring at 85.8 points per game.
Series Stuff
Northwestern and Michigan will meet for the 83rd time, a series the two teams have split evenly, 41-41. The Wolverines have won back-to-back matchups against the 'Cats, most recently picking up a 74-60 win on February 24, 2024 at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Walsh (14 points) and Melannie Daley (12 points) both reached double figures in scoring to lead Northwestern in the last meeting.
Since head coach Joe McKeown's arrival prior to the 2008-09 season, Northwestern is 6-10 (.375) in its Big Ten Conference openers. The 'Cats last opened league play with a victory during the 2021-22 campaign, registering a 61-49 win over Wisconsin in Evanston, Ill.
Up Next
Following a break for final exams, Northwestern resumes non-conference on Sunday, December 15 when it hosts Bradley in a 2 p.m. tip-off inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Last Time Out
Caileigh Walsh surpassed 1,000 points for her career as Northwestern held off a late DePaul rally, defeating the Blue Demons by a final count of 64-56 this past Wednesday inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. The win was the Wildcats' first over their rival to the south since the 2014-15 season.
Walsh led Northwestern in scoring for the 28th time in her career, closing the night with 14 points, in addition to four rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. She became the first Wildcat to join the 1,000-point club since Veronica Burton in 2020-21.
Grace Sullivan continued her stellar play of late, finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds. Sullivan, who has reached double figures in scoring in five of Northwestern's seven games, is averaging 13.6 points across the Wildcats' last five contests. Caroline Lau ripped down a career-best 12 rebounds, while also tallying seven assists and three steals. Lau has five games of five-plus assists this season.
Scouting Michigan
Since dropping a 68-62 decision to then No. 1 South Carolina to begin the season, Michigan (7-1) has ripped off seven straight wins. Earlier in the week, the Wolverines entered the Associated Press Top 25 Poll at No. 23.
Michigan, which finished 20-14 (9-9 B1G) last season en route to a sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance, has been idle since winning the Fort Myers Tip-Off, November 29-30, where it picked up victories over Belmont, 68-58, and Virginia Tech, 76-65, respectively.
Freshman guard Syla Swords has burst on the scene, averaging a team-best 18.8 points across Michigan's first eight games. Swords was named the Most Valuable Player of the Fort Myers Tip-Off after putting up 19.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in the Wolverines' two wins, a pair of performances that also saw her tabbed Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Fellow freshman Olivia Olson sits just behind Swords on the Michigan scoring chart, contributing 16.1 points per game for a Michigan offense that ranks 13th nationally in scoring at 85.8 points per game.
Series Stuff
Northwestern and Michigan will meet for the 83rd time, a series the two teams have split evenly, 41-41. The Wolverines have won back-to-back matchups against the 'Cats, most recently picking up a 74-60 win on February 24, 2024 at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Walsh (14 points) and Melannie Daley (12 points) both reached double figures in scoring to lead Northwestern in the last meeting.
Since head coach Joe McKeown's arrival prior to the 2008-09 season, Northwestern is 6-10 (.375) in its Big Ten Conference openers. The 'Cats last opened league play with a victory during the 2021-22 campaign, registering a 61-49 win over Wisconsin in Evanston, Ill.
Up Next
Following a break for final exams, Northwestern resumes non-conference on Sunday, December 15 when it hosts Bradley in a 2 p.m. tip-off inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Players Mentioned
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