Troubling pattern rears ugly head again

By Jeff Phillips

Daily Sports Writer

There is almost a formula to the play of the Michigan women's basketball team - with every big win comes an even bigger letdown. This past weekend was no exception.

On Thursday, the Wolverines defeated No. 13 Penn State 71-62. They were hitting on all cylinders. They made the Nittany Lions look like nothing special. Michigan was in control the entire game. The Wolverines were hitting their shots, getting key rebounds and keeping their composure. They showed that they could belong in the Big Ten's elite. Compared to Penn State, Michigan's Sunday game against Ohio State looked like a gimme.

The Buckeyes were absolutely decimated by injuries, losing five of their players, four to season-ending injuries. Against Michigan, they dressed nine players, two of whom went to Ohio State to play a sport other than basketball. Entering the game, Ohio State had just one win in its five Big Ten games. The Wolverines fell 76-68. In the final 10 minutes of the game, they did not look like the team that could conquer the world.

The situation was the same at the beginning of the year. In its first home game, Michigan defeated No. 8 Louisiana Tech. It turned around and lost the next game to Washington, also at home.

Two weeks ago, the Wolverines started the Big Ten season with a win at Illinois. Making the win more special was the Illini's upset victory over then-No. 14 Auburn. The Wolverines returned home and lost to No. 8 Purdue 65-54. The loss was disappointing, but excusable. The Wolverines just needed to bounce back in their next game.

They didn't.

A rough 85-52 home loss to Wisconsin sent Michigan reeling. It went to Iowa and lost again, by 21 points. With their backs to the wall, the Wolverines got a much-needed win, but are now back where they started. Michigan is now 2-4 in the Big Ten and is facing three consecutive games on the road.

Michigan coach Sue Guevara feels that this pattern is one that cannot be taken lightly.

"It concerns me very much, but I hope it concerns my players more," Guevara said.

Where do they go from here?

Guevara feels that Michigan may need to do some soul-searching.

"I know they won't quit," Guevara said. "We just have to get enough people on this team to get the job done every time they set foot on the court."

Michigan has proven it has the talent to play with the nation's elite, but has yet to prove that it belongs. The Wolverines have 10 more Big Ten games, including away games at Purdue, Ohio State, Penn State and Indiana. Their schedule is treacherous but not impossible.

This September, Guevara said that her team was NCAA Tournament worthy.

Where should this team be playing in March? It depends on which one shows up.