The Michigan women's basketball team hopes that the third time isn't the charm.
Indiana has defeated the Wolverines twice this season. Michigan hopes that trend reverses itself in the post-season.
The Wolverines (7-9 Big Ten, 15-10 overall) square off against the Hoosiers in Indianapolis on Friday night in the first round of the Big Ten championship tournament.
"I talked to my kids after the game (last Sunday) and said, 'I don't know who we're gonna play - either Indiana or Penn State,'" Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "Who do they want? Surprisingly, they wanted Indiana."
The Hoosiers (7-9, 14-12) have lost three of their last four games, but upset No. 16 Wisconsin earlier this month in a game decided by five points.
"It's very difficult to play a team and to beat a team a third time," Indiana coach Jim Izard said. "Michigan has great post play, great perimeter play and great depth."
The first of the two previous meetings took place at Crisler Arena back in January. Michigan's premier post-player, center Pollyanna Johns (15.3 points-per-game, 10.5 rebounds-per-game) was out due to an illness. Consequently, Indiana's 6-foot-5 center Quacy Barnes had a field day, scoring 18 points as she dominated the inside.
The Hoosiers prevailed, 72-59.
In the second meeting, the Wolverines fell victim to frigid shooting, recording a mere 29.2 percent in the 73-56 defeat.
"We shot very poorly both times we played Indiana," Guevara said. "They dared us to take the outside shot because of the way they doubled and tripled down on Pollyana Johns."
But this time Michigan has an ace up its sleeve - momentum. The Wolverines swept this past weekend, defeating Minnesota and Ohio State, and have won three of their last four.
"I'm pretty pleased with the way we're entering the tournament," Guevara said. "Over the weekend, I was pleased with our defense, the way we were getting turnovers. We were more patient offensively, therefore we shot a higher percent."
The Wolverines have never won a conference tournament game. This is only the third year of the tournament's existence, and Michigan would like to notch one in the win column.
"We need to play the type of defense we played this weekend," Guevara said. "We also need to move the ball the way we did this weekend. We have to limit the number of turnovers."
A strong performance at the Big Tens might not be enough to thrust Michigan into the NCAA tournament, however.
"I think for us to get in we need 18 wins or we need to win the tournament," Guevara said. "I think it's a real long, long shot for us to get in if we don't win the tournament."
Even if the Wolverines don't receive a bid to the NCAAs, this season will not be soon forgotten. In Guevara's first season at the helm, she managed to turn around the program. Her team has won as many conference games this season as the previous three seasons combined.
JONATHAN SUMMER/Daily
Michigan meets Indiana for the third time this season in the Big Ten tournament Friday. The Hoosiers won both of their regular-season contests with the Wolverines.