Michigan

In ‘redemption year’ Michigan State women’s basketball playing for plenty in stretch run

Published

2 years ago

February 4, 2024

In ‘redemption year’ Michigan State women’s basketball playing for plenty in stretch run

EAST LANSING — Tory Ozment knows what it’s like to be playing for something during a season’s stretch run.

She has been part of successful NCAA tournament chases with the Michigan State women’s basketball program as a true freshman in 2019 and then again in 2021.

And now with the calendar hitting February, the sixth-year guard/forward is experiencing that feeling once again with the Spartans playing for the postseason.

With eight games remaining in the regular season starting with Monday’s home date against Minnesota (6 p.m., Big Ten Network), MSU is firmly in the NCAA tournament picture and has a chance to earn one of the top four seeds for the Big Ten tournament.

“It’s kind of like a redemption year,” Ozment said. “We’ve missed out on the tournament. We haven’t really been where we would like to be. These are the games that matter the most. Everyone is tired, everyone is a little down and people have injuries, but we just have to stay consistent with our identity and I think everyone has bought into that.”

The Spartans (16-5, 6-4 Big Ten) enter play in February projected to be a No. 8 seed in the latest bracketology put together by ESPN’s Charlie Creme. They have a chance to improve their seeding and standing in the Big Ten during a big stretch of games.

Monday’s matchup against Minnesota kicks off a challenging seven-day stretch that includes a road test against No. 10-ranked Indiana on Thursday and a home game with No. 8 Ohio State on Sunday, Feb. 11. The Spartans are chasing both Indiana and Ohio State in the standings.

MSU has a chance to avenge road losses from last month to the Gophers and the Buckeyes.

“Halfway through the league we’ve put ourselves in a position to play for something,” said first-year MSU coach Robyn Fralick, whose team has matched its win total from last season and is on a three-game winning streak.

“We still have a lot of opportunities in front of us. In this league, night in and night out, what’s in front of you matters. Every night the game has an impact on what we’re shooting for. We have to compete and prepare with that in mind.”

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.

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Michigan

Michigan women’s basketball vs. Louisville in Sweet 16: Time, TV, stream

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2 minutes ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Michigan women’s basketball vs. Louisville in Sweet 16: Time, TV, stream

When the Sweet 16 continues on Saturday during the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan women’s basketball (27-6) will continue its climb to reach the Final Four for the first time.

The Wolverines, who earned the No. 2 seed in the Fort Worth 3 Region, are playing in the program’s third Sweet 16 under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.

“We committed to Michigan to do this, and we committed to Coach Arico to do it for her and for each other,” Michigan guard Olivia Olson said. “We’re accomplishing the goals we set out to, and we’re not done yet. So we’re going to keep having fun with it and keep preparing.”

Michigan will take on No. 3 Louisville Cardinals (29-7) at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

“This is my first time going to the Sweet 16, all of our first times, so I think the feeling of, we’re still dancing, we’re still playing basketball, it’s a great feeling,” Louisville guard Taj Roberts said.

The winner from Saturday’s matchup will play in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 30, for the right to advance to the Final Four.

What time is Michigan vs. Louisville?

Date: Saturday, March 28
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)

The Michigan Wolverines will play the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Michigan vs. Louisville: TV, streaming

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Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land

Published

12 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land

The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.

The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.

Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.

See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here

Morez Johnson Jr. player profile

(all stats as of March 15)

Position: Forward-Center
Current Team: Michigan
13.1 points per game
7.2 rebounds per game
1.1 assists per game
62.8% field goal percentage
37.9% three-point field goal percentage

Los Angeles Lakers 2026 projected draft picks

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Woman struck, fatally injured, while walking on the Lodge Freeway, state police say

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Woman struck, fatally injured, while walking on the Lodge Freeway, state police say

March 27, 2026 / 7:44 AM EDT
/ CBS Detroit

A pedestrian was struck and died of her injuries early Friday on the Lodge Freeway in Detroit.

Emergency dispatchers started to get calls about 2:30 a.m. about someone who was walking along the Lodge, and then were notified that the person had been struck by a vehicle, the Michigan State Police reported.

When troopers arrived, they found multiple cars stopped along the freeway, and people standing around a woman who was severely injured.

Detroit EMS pronounced the woman dead at the scene, state police said. She has not yet been identified.

The driver who struck the woman did not stay at the scene.

“Troopers are currently using technology that is available in the area to identify the vehicle involved,” MSP F/Lt. Mike Shaw said.

The Lodge Freeway, also known as M-10, was closed at about 2:46 a.m. Friday between Chicago Boulevard / Hamilton Avenue and Clairmount Street for the investigation and emergency assistance, according to Michigan Department of Transportation reports. The Lodge was reported back open at 6:05 a.m.

Michigan Department of Transportation traffic reports are at the MI Drive site.

State police said their investigation is continuing. Those who witnessed the crash or have other information are asked to call the MSP Metro South Post at 734-287-5000 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 800-SPEAK-UP.

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