Kim Barnes Arico has something cooking, as Michigan women’s basketball has a great chance to make some waves this upcoming season:
The 2024-25 season was a moderate success for the Michigan Wolverines women’s basketball team, finishing tied for fourth in the Big Ten and making it to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines have appeared in the Big Dance in every (non-cancelled) postseason since 2017-18, but with only two second-weekend trips during that stretch, there is still some room for growth.
Kim Barnes Arico is hoping the team can make that jump in the 2025-26 campaign, and there is good reason to believe so. Way-too-early rankings have Michigan on the cusp of being a Sweet 16 squad, and the evidence on paper looks good. We are still months away from the start of the new season, but here is why I like the Wolverines to build on last year’s solid performance.
On the court
With Olivia Olson and Syla Swords both named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team (and Olson named Co-Freshman of the Year), as well as classmates like Mila Holloway back in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines’ talent is something to behold. As good as these freshmen were last season, the bar raises even higher for them in Year 2, and this trio of sophomores gives Michigan a real chance to compete for the conference crown.
This level of continuity was not the case 12 months ago, leading to the need for so many freshmen to play a bunch of minutes. Now with the core returning, the Wolverines are in a great spot to build on last season. Add in No. 18-ranked recruit Kendall Dudley and Ashley Sofilkanich out of the transfer portal, and this lineup has both star power and sufficient depth to make a run.
On the bench
Dudley and Sofilkanich were not the only big additions made this offseason. Barnes Arico brought (back) Danielle Rauch as an assistant coach , which feels like a home run. Having someone who played on those aforementioned Sweet 16 and Elite Eight teams (in very recent history) could be a big difference in terms of player development and recruiting.
Barnes Arico is already a pillar in Ann Arbor, and adding in this type of assistant is a great sign for the program. With a roster this young, having a coach that can effectively mentor is something that cannot be overlooked, as little things can go a long way. Given Rauch’s previous success as a Wolverine, do not be surprised if she pushes the right buttons to get this current squad to the next level.
On alert
No one expected much from Michigan last season, picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten. This fall, the narrative will be much different, with Olson, Swords, and company sure to grab everyone’s full attention. The task is much tougher when the expectations are raised, but this squad looks like one that should compete for a first-ever Big Ten championship.
The country is on notice, and really that was always the plan after bringing in the No. 4 recruiting class in 2024. Year 2 was when these talented players would start to hit their stride, and everything is on track for that to be the case this year. Michigan has been making the Tournament consistently, and has even tasted the second weekend a couple times. This could be the moment the program takes it to the next level.