Just got back from women's basketball media day — yes, feel like the bye week is as busy as any other — and thought I'd drop a few notes from head coach Kim Barnes Arico and players talking. I am writing a preview for the next issue of The Wolverine Magazine
• Disappointed that they have the best year in program history with no fans in the stands, they're super excited to have them back and are expecting great crowds.
• Naz Hillmon is expanding her game — might take some threes this year and play more on the perimeter.
• Leigha Brown wanted to come back for another year in college to run it back, try to advance even further in the NCAA Touranment and prepare for the next level. She and Hillmon are captains.
• They lost a lot of shooting production from last season but are confident in the others. Multiple players mentioned how much easier it is to get open shots with all the attention on Hillmon and Brown down low, inside out basketball, etc. And the three-point line was moved back, allowing for better spacing. Hitting shots from deeper doesn't sound like it's been an issue in practice.
• Everyone asked said that junior guard Maddie Nolan is the breakout player to watch. Light went on for her at the end of last season and she's much more confident now, had a great offseason.
• I started to pay attention towards the end of last season, like many. Feel like there will be a lot more eyes on this team this year, especially if they do something similar to last year. The Sweet 16 run (program's first ever) has created a new confidence in the building, they say, though they were confident before.
• Disappointed that they have the best year in program history with no fans in the stands, they're super excited to have them back and are expecting great crowds.
• Naz Hillmon is expanding her game — might take some threes this year and play more on the perimeter.
• Leigha Brown wanted to come back for another year in college to run it back, try to advance even further in the NCAA Touranment and prepare for the next level. She and Hillmon are captains.
• They lost a lot of shooting production from last season but are confident in the others. Multiple players mentioned how much easier it is to get open shots with all the attention on Hillmon and Brown down low, inside out basketball, etc. And the three-point line was moved back, allowing for better spacing. Hitting shots from deeper doesn't sound like it's been an issue in practice.
• Everyone asked said that junior guard Maddie Nolan is the breakout player to watch. Light went on for her at the end of last season and she's much more confident now, had a great offseason.
• I started to pay attention towards the end of last season, like many. Feel like there will be a lot more eyes on this team this year, especially if they do something similar to last year. The Sweet 16 run (program's first ever) has created a new confidence in the building, they say, though they were confident before.
