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Free Press staff writer Arpan Lobo breaks down the 2026 NCAA Women's Tournament matchup between 2-seed Michigan and 6-seed North Carolina State.
Matchup: 2-seed Michigan (25-6, 15-3 Big Ten) vs. 6-seed NC State (20-10, 13-5 ACC); Fort Worth 3 region, second round.
Tipoff: TBD, Sunday, March 22; Crisler Center, Ann Arbor.
TV: ESPN family of networks.
Most recent matchup: NC State defeated Michigan 66-55 in non-conference matchup in the 2018-19 season.
At stake: Winner advances to the Sweet Sixteen in Fort Worth, Texas, next weekend.
*All stats, records entering NCAA Tournament.
The buzz: Michigan didn’t leave the door open even a little bit in their opening matchup against 15-seed Holy Cross, outpacing the Crusaders from pillar to post in a 83-48 win. The Wolverines, like they have so often this season, relied on their standout trio of sophomore guards to carry the day. Mila Holloway led with 20 points, and added eight rebounds and seven assists along the way. Syla Swords scored 13 on a neat 5-for-7 shooting and fellow all-Big Ten first-team selection Olivia Olson added 12 points of her own.
But now Michigan faces an N.C. State team that won’t be overwhelmed by the Wolverines’ pace and athleticism like Holy Cross was. Michigan earned the right to host their opening two matchups with a 25-6 regular season mark, and the home crowd will likely be a boost as Barnes Arico’s team looks to maintain the same defensive intensity that swamped Holy Cross. Keeping the sophomore guards rolling — as well as getting steady contributions from guard Te’yala DelFosse and forward Ashley Sofilkanich, who both had some key moments in the opener — will be vital if U-M wants to move onto the second weekend for just the third time in program history.
*All stats/records entering tournament.
The buzz: The Wolfpack bested a scuffling Tennessee squad, 76-61, in their opening matchup. N.C. State blitzed the Lady Vols early, jumping out to a 19-4 lead, but had to hold off a third-quarter comeback effort from Tennessee to advance.
Pierre and Brooks provide a potent scoring duo for Moore’s team, having both earned first-team all-ACC honors. Pierre is a force on the glass as well, ranking sixth in the nation for rebounds at 12 per game. The junior forward does most of her work inside, only taking six 3-point attempts during the regular season (making one). The Wolfpack’s size could pose problems for Michigan — alongside Pierre, 6-foot-6 Swedish forward Tilda Trygger also averages 10.9 points and 7.2 boards per game.
Brooks is a more varied scorer than Pierre, although at 23% from 3-point range, Brooks has struggled to be consistent with her deep looks. She was helped off the court in the third quarter against Tennessee with an apparent leg injury, although it’s not immediately clear how severe it was.
Jones is just the team’s third-leading scorer, but she tortured Tennessee in the opening round game -- scoring 30 points on 9-for-15 shooting. She did damage inside and out and showed a knack for getting inside.
On the season, Jones helped provide spacing at a 36.7% clip on 3s on over six attempts per game.
If N.C. State can start hot against Michigan like they did against Tennessee — when they hit their first eight field goal attempts — it’ll help quiet the Crisler Center crowd.
You can reach Arpan Lobo at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball vs NC State matchup in March Madness
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Fast facts
Matchup: 2-seed Michigan (25-6, 15-3 Big Ten) vs. 6-seed NC State (20-10, 13-5 ACC); Fort Worth 3 region, second round.
Tipoff: TBD, Sunday, March 22; Crisler Center, Ann Arbor.
TV: ESPN family of networks.
Most recent matchup: NC State defeated Michigan 66-55 in non-conference matchup in the 2018-19 season.
At stake: Winner advances to the Sweet Sixteen in Fort Worth, Texas, next weekend.
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Michigan women's basketball: Meet the Wolverines
- Location: Ann Arbor.
- Coach: Kim Barnes Arico (309-150 at U-M, 485-284 career).
- School tournament record: 13-13 in 13 appearances.
- Past 10 games: 9-1
- Scoring leaders: G Olivia Olson, 19.1; G Syla Swords 14.5; G Mila Holloway, 12.4.
- Rebounding leaders: Olson, 6.2; G Brooke Quarles-Daniels, 5.2; G/F Te'yala Delfosse, 4.6.
- Assist leaders: Holloway, 4.7; Quarles Daniels, 2.8; Olson, 2.6.
- 3-point leaders: G McKenzie Mathurin, 40%; G Macy Brown, 36.1%; Holloway, 34.8%.
*All stats, records entering NCAA Tournament.
The buzz: Michigan didn’t leave the door open even a little bit in their opening matchup against 15-seed Holy Cross, outpacing the Crusaders from pillar to post in a 83-48 win. The Wolverines, like they have so often this season, relied on their standout trio of sophomore guards to carry the day. Mila Holloway led with 20 points, and added eight rebounds and seven assists along the way. Syla Swords scored 13 on a neat 5-for-7 shooting and fellow all-Big Ten first-team selection Olivia Olson added 12 points of her own.
But now Michigan faces an N.C. State team that won’t be overwhelmed by the Wolverines’ pace and athleticism like Holy Cross was. Michigan earned the right to host their opening two matchups with a 25-6 regular season mark, and the home crowd will likely be a boost as Barnes Arico’s team looks to maintain the same defensive intensity that swamped Holy Cross. Keeping the sophomore guards rolling — as well as getting steady contributions from guard Te’yala DelFosse and forward Ashley Sofilkanich, who both had some key moments in the opener — will be vital if U-M wants to move onto the second weekend for just the third time in program history.
NC State women’s basketball: Meet the Wolfpack
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Coach: Wes Moore (321-105 at NC State, 679-218 career).
- School tournament record: 35-30 in 30 appearances.
- Past 10 games: 6-4.
- Scoring leaders: F Khamil Pierre, 16.8; G Zoe Brooks, 16; G Zamareya Jones, 14.3; F Tilda Trygger 10.8.
- Rebounding leaders: Pierre, 12; Trygger, 7.2; Brooks 4.8; G Qadence Samuels, 4.8.
- Assist leaders: Brooks, 4.4; Jones, 3.7.
- 3-point leaders: G Maddie Cox, 36.8%; Jones, 36.7%; G Destiny Lunan, 34.7%, Trygger, 33.9%.
*All stats/records entering tournament.
The buzz: The Wolfpack bested a scuffling Tennessee squad, 76-61, in their opening matchup. N.C. State blitzed the Lady Vols early, jumping out to a 19-4 lead, but had to hold off a third-quarter comeback effort from Tennessee to advance.
Pierre and Brooks provide a potent scoring duo for Moore’s team, having both earned first-team all-ACC honors. Pierre is a force on the glass as well, ranking sixth in the nation for rebounds at 12 per game. The junior forward does most of her work inside, only taking six 3-point attempts during the regular season (making one). The Wolfpack’s size could pose problems for Michigan — alongside Pierre, 6-foot-6 Swedish forward Tilda Trygger also averages 10.9 points and 7.2 boards per game.
Brooks is a more varied scorer than Pierre, although at 23% from 3-point range, Brooks has struggled to be consistent with her deep looks. She was helped off the court in the third quarter against Tennessee with an apparent leg injury, although it’s not immediately clear how severe it was.
Jones is just the team’s third-leading scorer, but she tortured Tennessee in the opening round game -- scoring 30 points on 9-for-15 shooting. She did damage inside and out and showed a knack for getting inside.
On the season, Jones helped provide spacing at a 36.7% clip on 3s on over six attempts per game.
If N.C. State can start hot against Michigan like they did against Tennessee — when they hit their first eight field goal attempts — it’ll help quiet the Crisler Center crowd.
You can reach Arpan Lobo at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball vs NC State matchup in March Madness
Continue reading...
