Weekly Release #7
12/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Upcoming Schedule
Friday, Dec. 21 -- vs. Oakland (Crisler Arena), 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 28 -- vs. Illinois (Crisler Arena), 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 30 -- at Purdue (West Lafayette, Ind.), 2 p.m.
| Oakland (3-5) at #13 Michigan (9-1) | |
| When | Friday, Dec. 21 (7 p.m.) |
| Site | Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Arena/13,562) |
| Television | UMTV (channel 22 on Comcast) |
| Radio / Web | TBD |
| Series Record | Oakland leads, 4-3 |
| Last Meeting | Oakland, 92-70 (12/1/87 at Ann Arbor, Mich.) |
| Coaches | Michigan -- Sue Guevara (Saginaw Valley, 1982) Overall: 102-54 (6th season); at U-M: same Oakland -- Beckie Francis (Colgate, 1987) Overall: 106-93 (8th season); at OU: 76-45 (5th season) |
No. 13 Wolverines Return Home to Face Oakland
The 13th-ranked Michigan women's basketball team (9-1) looks for its school-record 10th straight win when the Wolverines play just their second home tilt among their first 11 games on Friday (Dec. 21, 7 p.m.) vs. Oakland at Crisler Arena. Michigan's contest vs. Oakland (3-5) is the final non-conference game for the Wolverines before opening up Big Ten play at home vs. Illinois on Dec. 28 (7 p.m.). Michigan's first road Big Ten tilt is on Dec. 30 (2 p.m.) with a trip to defending national runner-up and seventh-ranked Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.
The Story
Michigan and Oakland face off for the first time since 1987, which was a 92-70 Oakland win at Crisler Arena. The Wolverines, who have set a school record with six straight road wins and matched a school record with nine straight overall wins, last played at home on Nov. 29 in a 65-49 win over Marquette. Oakland is the second in-state school the Wolverines have played this season, with the other game being a 67-52 win for the Maize and Blue at Detroit on Nov. 18.
Michigan, which has not lost since dropping an 81-66 decision at then-No. 6 Louisiana Tech on Nov. 16 in both teams' season opener, matched a school record with its ninth straight win on Sunday (Dec. 16) at No. 21 Louisiana State. The only other Michigan squads to win nine straight were the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 teams. The 1999-2000 team finished its campaign with a school-record 22 wins and finished a program-best second in the Big Ten during the regular season with a 13-3 conference mark, also a school best.
Wolverines Gain Highest Ranking in Program's History
Road wins over Toledo (74-46, Dec. 12) and 21st-ranked LSU (86-81 2OT, Dec. 16) last week have helped Michigan climb to a school-best ranking of 13th in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches' polls. Michigan's win over LSU was its second this season over a ranked opponent -- the other was a 78-63 win over then-No. 23 Notre Dame on Dec. 2 in Grand Rapids, Mich. The win at LSU coupled with a dominating road victory over a Toledo team which had beaten then-No. 5 Duke earlier in the season, moved the Wolverines up two spots in the coaches' poll from 15th and one spot in the AP poll from 14th.
The No. 13 national ranking in both polls is the highest ever for a Michigan team in either poll. Prior to Sue Guevara taking over the Wolverine program on an interim basis for the 1996-97 season, Michigan had never earned a Top 25 ranking, but Michigan debuted at No. 22 in the Associated Press poll on Feb. 28, 2000, in Guevara's fourth season. Michigan's preseason Top 25 recognition by both polls this season was the first such occurrence in the program's history. Michigan is the second highest ranked Big Ten team, with Purdue checking in at No. 7 in both polls.
Streaking
With their wins over Toledo and No. 21 LSU, the Wolverines have now won nine straight games since dropping their season opener at then-No. 6 Louisiana Tech, 81-66 on Nov. 16. Michigan's 9-1 start this season matches the best 10-game start in the program's history, equaling the 1998-99 team's record.
Best Starts in Program History
Year After 10 games Before second loss 2001-02 9-1 1998-99 9-1 9-1
On the Air
The Michigan game vs. Oakland will be televised on UMTV with Doug Karsch and Brian Hartley providing the play-by-play and color commentary, respectively.
The Scouting Report
Oakland -- The Grizzlies (3-5), members of the Mid-Continent Conference, broke a four-game losing streak with a 71-60 win over Dartmouth (Dec. 15) in their last game ... Before facing Michigan on Friday, Oakland goes up against a nationally ranked Southeastern Conference opponent for the second time this season when the Grizzlies face No. 10/8 Georgia on Wednesday (Dec. 19) in Rochester, Mich. ... Oakland opened its season with an 84-65 loss at then-No. 13/12 Florida ... Through the first eight games, 5-9 junior guard Katie Wolfe leads the Grizzlies in scoring (20.8) and assists (3.4) ... The only other Oakland player averaging in double figures is 5-11 senior forward Sarah Judd (17.2), who also averages 6.4 rebounds ... Oakland on the Internet: www.ougrizzlies.com.
Michigan vs. In-State Schools
The Oakland matchup is the second of three this season for the Wolverines against fellow in-state institutions. Michigan beat Detroit 67-52 at Calihan Hall in Detroit on Nov. 18. Michigan's schedule also includes its annual tussle with Michigan State; the Wolverines and Spartans only face off one time this season, on Jan. 2 (7 p.m.) at Crisler Arena.
Michigan-Oakland Series
Michigan and Oakland are meeting for the eighth time this Friday, but just the first since a 92-70 Oakland win at Crisler Arena on Dec. 1, 1987.
Michigan All-Time Results vs. Oakland (3-4)
Date W/L Score Site 1976-77 W 66-64 N 2/24/79 L 65-77 H 12/10/79 L 68-69 A 12/29/80 W 84-74 N 1/20/81 W 63-61 H 1/12/82 L 72-93 H 12/1/87 L 70-92 H
Michigan Back at Crisler
The Wolverines' contest vs. Oakland marks their return to Crisler Arena for just the second time this season and first since a 65-49 win over Marquette on Nov. 29. Michigan owns a modest five-game home win streak and has not lost on its home floor since suffering a 76-68 loss to Ohio State on Jan. 14, 2001. Michigan is 42-19 (.689) at Crisler Arena under Sue Guevara.
Michigan Wins Two More, Runs Streak to Nine
The 13th-ranked Wolverines ran their win streak to nine after wins at Toledo (74-46, Dec. 12) and at No. 21 LSU (86-81 2OT, Dec. 16) last week. Michigan was the second ranked opponent to walk into Savage Hall in Toledo, Ohio, this season, but the first to come away with a victory. On the same floor that Toledo handed then-No. 5 Duke its first loss of the season on Nov. 18, Michigan scored the first 13 points of the game and jumped out to a 22-4 lead en route to a dominating victory. Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS) played one of her most complete games of the season with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting and matched her career best with nine assists. Sophomore forward Jennifer Smith (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt HS) collected her first double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 boards.
Playing in its fifth straight game away from Crisler Arena, Michigan came out sluggishly at No. 21 LSU on Sunday and trailed 32-19 at the half, thanks in large part to 16 Wolverines turnovers in the first 20 minutes of action. Led by 21 points and a career-best 15 boards from LeeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS), Michigan came back to gut out an 86-81 win in double overtime. Michigan cleaned up its play in final 30 minutes of action as the Wolverines turned the ball over just nine more times during the second half and both overtime sessions. Smith also came up big again with her second double-double of the week as she tallied 19 points and 10 boards in the win.
Wolverines vs. NCAA Competition
After contests vs. Toledo and LSU last week, Michigan has now faced five teams that made last season's NCAA Tournament field in its first 10 games, and the Wolverines are 4-1 against that field.
Michigan vs. 2001 NCAA Tournament Teams (4-1)
Date Opponent Result Nov. 16 at #6 Louisiana Tech L, 66-81 Dec. 2 vs. #23 Notre Dame W, 78-63 Dec. 9 at Washington W, 71-70 Dec. 12 at Toledo W, 74-46 Dec. 16 at #21 Louisiana State W, 86-81 (2ot)
Michigan vs. Preseason Top 25
Michigan's win over 21st-ranked LSU on Sunday was its third win of the season over a team ranked in the preseason Top 25 of either the Associated Press or USA Today/ESPN Coaches' polls. Michigan, which was a preseason No. 17 selection by the AP and No. 20 by the coaches, is 3-1 against that field this season.
Michigan vs. the Preseason Top 25 (3-1)
Date Opponent (AP/Coaches) Result 11/26 at Louisiana Tech (6/6) L, 66-81 12/2 vs. Notre Dame (15/14) W, 78-63 12/9 at Washington (19/17) W, 71-70 12/16 at Louisiana State (NR/21) W, 86-81 (2ot)
Wolverines Streaking
Michigan has bounced back from its season-opening loss at then-No. 6 Louisiana Tech to win nine straight games. The Wolverines' current streak matches the school record for consecutive wins, which was set by the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 Wolverine teams. The 1999-2000 Wolverine team finished with a school-record 22 wins and placed a program-best second in the Big Ten regular season. That team dropped an 85-71 decision at seventh-ranked and eventual Big Ten champion Penn State before ripping off nine straight wins to close the regular season and open the Big Ten Tournament. Eventual Big Ten Tournament champion Purdue snapped Michigan's streak 74-59 in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
Winning at the Stripe
Michigan continued its domination from the free-throw line this season with its 21-9 edge in free throws made in the win over LSU. For the season, Michigan is shooting .743 (168-226) from the charity stripe, second in the conference behind Penn State (.754), and has made 38 more free throws (168) than its opponents have attempted (130). The Wolverines made more free throws than their opponents in each game this season except at Toledo when the Rockets outscored Michigan 15-8 from the line. Post players LeeAnn Bies and Jennifer Smith are leading the Michigan parade to the foul line. Smith is second in the Big Ten with a mark of .970 (32-33), while Bies is 11th (.797, 55-69). Bies' 55 free throws made and 69 attempted are both second in the conference behind Purdue's Shereka Wright (59-77).
What Does She Say
As was the case last season, Michigan is gaining a reputation as a second-half team, especially after turning a 13-point halftime deficit (32-19) into an 86-81 double overtime victory at then-No. 21 LSU. Michigan is outscoring its opponents by a modest 33.4-31.9 margin in the first half, but has been a different team coming out of the locker room. The Wolverines have outscored their opponents 39.9-30.4 in the second half, including a 43.8-29.3 advantage in their last four games. Michigan has scored 40 or more points in the second half six times this season and in three of its last four, including a 52-point outburst in the second half of an 81-59 win over Washington State on Dec. 7.
On the Glass
Next to free-throw shooting, much of Michigan's early success can be attributed to its work in the rebounding department. The Wolverines lead the Big Ten in rebound margin (+11.6) after collecting their second-best team total of the season with 54 in the win at LSU. Michigan has outrebounded its opponents in eight of 10 games this season and in the last five straight, including a 62-rebound effort in the win over Washington State on Dec. 7. Michigan's 62 rebounds in that game are the third highest single-game total in school history.
Top U-M Team Single-Game Rebounding Totals
68 vs. Eastern Michigan, 11/30/93 65 vs. Slippery Rock, 11/29/86 62 vs. WASHINGTON STATE, 12/7/01 61 vs. Indianapolis, 11/28/87 61 vs. Wisconsin, 2/14/92
Triple Double
For the first time this season Michigan had three players earn double-doubles in points and rebounds in the win at LSU. LeeAnn Bies' 21 points and 15 boards, Jennifer Smith's 19 points and 10 boards along with Stephanie Gandy's 15 points and 12 boards gave Michigan its own version of the triple-double.
Bies Watch
LeeAnn Bies added 21 points to her career-best 15 rebounds in Michigan's win at LSU to run her team-best season total to five double-doubles and career mark to 16. Additionally, Bies is the only Wolverine to score in double figures in nine of the team's 10 games.
Bies' Double-Doubles This Season
Date Opponent Pts-Rebs 11/18 at Detroit 24-11 11/29 vs. Marquette 11-12 12/2 vs. #23 Notre Dame 18-12 12/9 at Washington 27-11 12/16 at #21 Louisiana State 21-15
Back in Action
Michigan received a huge lift off the bench from senior guard-forward Heather Oesterle (Mason, Mich./Mason HS) in its win at LSU. Oesterle, who sat out games vs. Washington State (Dec. 7) and at Washington (Dec. 9) due to a sore knee, only played 12 minutes at Toledo on Wednesday (Dec. 12), but provided a season-best 19 minutes off the bench in the win at LSU. Oesterle hit a pair of huge triples in the last five minutes, including one to give Michigan its first lead of the game (63-61) with a minute left in regulation, and finished with a season-best nine points.
Career Day
Sophomore forward Stephanie Gandy, who started 23 games a year ago as a freshman, played a season-best 43 minutes off the bench in the win at LSU. Gandy finished with 15 points and a career-best 12 rebounds -- including five offensive -- for the first double-double of her career. Gandy is averaging 5.6 rebounds, which is the second-best mark on the Wolverine roster after LeeAnn Bies' mark of 8.7.
Stuffing the Stat Sheet
Senior guard Alayne Ingram, who is manning both the point and shooting guard positions for the Wolverines, is possibly having her best all-around season as a Wolverine. Ingram leads the Wolverines in three-point field goals (19) and assists (3.8) and is shooting a career-best .463 (50-108) from the field. However, it is her improvement in other areas that is making this one of her best seasons. Ingram, who entered this season with a career rebounding average of 2.3, is grabbing 4.3 this season, including 6.0 over her last three games. Ingram's seven boards in the win over Washington (Dec. 9) was a career high. Ingram then matched her career best with nine assists in the next outing, a 74-46 win at Toledo (Dec. 12).
Bies at the Top
Junior center LeeAnn Bies is enjoying her best season as a Wolverine through Michigan's first 10 games, with team-leading averages in points (17.5), rebounds (8.7) and blocks (1.4). Bies is the only Wolverine to start all 10 games this season and has scored in double figures on a team-best nine occasions. Bies is also among the top 10 in the Big Ten in the following categories: scoring (6th, 17.5), rebounding (5th, 8.7), blocks (6th, 1.4), offensive rebounding (2nd, 3.4), defensive rebounding (6th, 5.3) and field goal percentage (4th, .612).
Smith as a Starter
Sophomore center Jennifer Smith has played her best basketball of the season since replacing Raina Goodlow (Detroit, Mich./Dominican HS) in the starting lineup at the power forward slot. In addition to recording her first two double-doubles of the season with 16 points and 11 boards at Toledo and 19 points and 10 rebounds at LSU, Smith has averaged 13.8 points and 9.0 rebounds in her five games as starter after averaging 9.8 points and 5.2 boards in her first five games of the season coming off the bench. While the increased role has led to more shot attempts, Smith has also upped her shooting percentage at the same time. Smith, who shot .500 (18-36) during the first five games, has shot .510 (25-49) as a starter, and she is shooting a team-best .970 (32-33) from the free throw line.
Defending Champs Go Down Again
For the second time in three years Michigan has defeated the defending national champion. In addition to this season's win over Notre Dame (78-63) on Dec. 2, the Wolverines defeated then-defending national champion Purdue 74-67 on Jan. 8, 2000, before the home crowd at Crisler Arena and a national television audience on CBS. Current Wolverine Raina Goodlow added 10 points in the win over Purdue.
Ingram Breaks Mark
Senior guard Alayne Ingram, who is playing both guard positions this season, became the Wolverines' all-time leader in three-point field goals with her first of three triples in the win over Notre Dame (Dec. 12). Ingram, who now has 137 career trifectas, passed the mark of 134 that was set by Michigan's current director of basketball operations Molly Murray, who played for the Wolverines from 1995-98. Ingram is also eighth on the career list with 277 assists and 13th with 1,104 career points.
Guevara's 100th Win Puts Her in Elite Company
Michigan sixth-year head coach Sue Guevara, who became the Wolverines' all-time winningest coach earlier this season with a 67-52 win over Detroit on Nov. 18, reached 100 career wins at Michigan and overall as a college head coach with a win at Washington on Dec. 9. Guevara became the 14th coach in Big Ten women's basketball history to reach 100 wins during her tenure at a conference school since the Big Ten began including women's sports in 1981-82. Guevara's current career mark is 102-54.
Winningest Coaches at Big Ten School (since 1981-82, through 12/9/01)
| Rank, Coach | Wins | |
| 1. | Rene Portland, Penn State (22nd season) | 491 |
| 2. | Karen Langeland, Michigan State (24 seasons) | 376 |
| 3. | Vivian Strigner, Iowa (12 seasons) | 269 |
| 4. | Don Perrelli, Northwestern (15 seasons) | 251 |
| 5. | Nancy Darsch, Ohio State (12 seasons) | 234 |
| 6. | Lin Dunn, Purdue (nine seasons) | 206 |
| 7. | Jim Izard, Indiana (12 seasons) | 188 |
| 8. | Ellen Mosher-Hanson, Minnesota (10 seasons) | 172 |
| 9. | Debbie Wilson, Ohio State (8 seasons) | 157 |
| 10. | Jane Albright, Wisconsin (eighth season) | 142 |
| 11. | Edwina Qualls, Wisconsin (10 seasons) | 131 |
| 12. | Theresa Grentz, Illinois (seventh season) | 121 |
| 13. | Tara Van Derveer, Ohio State (four seasons) | 110 |
| 14. | Sue Guevara, Michigan (sixth season) | 100 |
Big Ten Honor
Dominant is the best way to describe the recent play of junior center LeeAnn Bies, who earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors for her performances against Washington State and Washington two weeks ago (Dec. 3-9). The preseason All-Big Ten selection averaged 22.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, which included torching Washington for a career-best 27 points in the win over the Huskies.
Schedule, Part 1
The Wolverines will be road warriors in 2001-02 with nine of their first 10 games on the road and just 10 total home tilts among their 27-game regular-season schedule.
Schedule, Part 2
Michigan, which set a school record last season with five victories over ranked opponents, will face eight 2001 NCAA Tournament teams a total of 11 times in its regular-season schedule, including contests against the defending NCAA champion (Notre Dame) and national runner-up (Purdue). Michigan beat Notre Dame 78-63 on Dec. 2 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will face the Boilermakers twice (Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. CST, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m.). Michigan has already faced two 2001 Elite Eight teams this season, beating Washington 71-70 (Dec. 9) in Seattle, Wash., and losing at then-No. 6 Louisiana Tech 81-66 in its season opener (Nov. 16).
WOLVERINE PROBABLES (Stats from 2001-02)
Pos No Player Yr. Ht. PPG RPG F 1 Tabitha Pool Fr. 6-1 10.1 5.0 F 54 Jennifer Smith So. 6-3 11.8 7.1 C 44 LeeAnn Bies Jr. 6-3 17.5 8.7 G 40 Alayne Ingram Sr. 5-7 15.1 3.8* G 4 Susana Jara Sr. 5-7 2.9 2.4* * assists per game
2001-02 Top 25 Polls (12/17/01)
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Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
