Michigan
Ohio State
Wolverines to Travel to Columbus for No. 2 Buckeyes
2/26/2024 2:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team (17-11, 8-8 Big Ten) wraps up a two-game road swing, heading to Columbus to face No. 2-ranked Ohio State (24-3, 15-1 Big Ten) on Wednesday evening (Feb. 28) at Value City Arena. The game is set for 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on Peacock.
Notes:
• U-M took the first meeting between the teams this season, recording a 69-60 win at Crisler on Dec. 30. Michigan swept the season series from Ohio State in 2021-22, with the Buckeyes returning the favor last season. Eight of Michigan's 17 wins against OSU in program history have come under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.
• Michigan is facing its fifth ranked opponent of the season in No. 2 Ohio State, going 1-3 in the previous games this season against top-25 foes. Michigan has won at least one game against a ranked team in each of Barnes Arico's 12 seasons at the helm.
• U-M is looking for its third win over a top-five team in program history. Michigan has a pair of wins over the No. 5-ranked team, both coming during the 2021-22 season (No. 5 Baylor, No. 5 Indiana). The Wolverines have never won a true road game against a top-five opponent. Michigan is 0-8 all-time against the No. 2-ranked team in the Associated Press poll.
• The Wolverines rallied from a three-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, outscoring No. 17-ranked Ohio State 27-15 in the final period in a 69-60 win over the Buckeyes on Dec. 30. Laila Phelia played all 40 minutes, turning in a career-best 26 points with four boards and two steals. Lauren Hansen went for 17 points, two boards, two assists and four steals, with Elissa Brett (10) and Jordan Hobbs (11) rounding out Michigan's double-figure scorers. Michigan held a 34-27 advantage on the glass and forced 19 OSU turnovers, turning those into 18 points.
• Michigan has two regular-season games remaining before the Big Ten Tournament (March 6-10). U-M is tied for sixth with Maryland at 8-8 in Big Ten play. The Wolverines are coming off a road win at Northwestern (Feb. 24), wrapping up a two-game road swing at No. 2 Ohio State. U-M will finish the regular season at home, hosting Purdue on March 3 at 7 p.m.
• The Wolverines are the only team to beat Ohio State during Big Ten play this season. OSU has not lost in the 2024 calendar year, with the Buckeyes' last loss coming at Crisler Center on Dec. 30.
• Michigan has a pair of Ohio natives returning to their home state for the second time this season in Phelia (Cincinnati) and Hobbs (Springboro). Phelia (2019, Mount Notre Dame Academy) won a state title at Value City Arena. Michigan has not played at Value City Arena since the 2021-22 season, getting a 77-58 win over the Buckeyes on Jan. 27, 2022. The teams squared off at the Covelli Center last season.
• This rivalry game will feature the two best scoring defenses in the Big Ten. Ohio State comes in at No. 1, allowing just 62.6 points per game, while Michigan is No. 2 at 63.2 points per game after holding Northwestern to just 60 points last time out (Feb. 24). Michigan held Ohio State to a season-low 60 points in the first game between the rivals.
• Phelia recorded the first double-double of her career in Michigan's win at Northwestern (Feb. 24), going for 16 points, 10 rebounds, a career-best seven assists and four steals. She is the third Wolverine to record a double-double this season, joining Cameron Williams and Taylor Williams.
