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Louisville women's basketball took care of business at home and has been rewarded with an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance.
After opening March Madness with a 72-52 win over 14th-seeded Vermont, the third-seeded Cardinals took down sixth-seeded Alabama on Monday at the KFC Yum! Center to earn a meeting against Michigan women's basketball. The second-seeded Wolverines downed seventh-seeded N.C. State, 92-63, in the Round of 32.
This is the first time that Louisville and Michigan have played since the 2022 Elite Eight. UofL won that contest, 62-50.
[ Michigan women's basketball building something special in Sweet 16 run ]
Here are three things to know about Michigan with a Sweet 16 prediction:
The Big Ten had more schools make the NCAA Tournament than any of the other Power Four conferences with 12. Of those, five were a top-four seed. The conference also had seven teams in the most recent USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. It's a testament to the level of competition that Michigan faced during the regular season.
The Wolverines finished third in the league standings behind Big Ten champion UCLA and Iowa. They benefitted from the rigorous schedule by averaging a 32-point scoring margin during the first two games of the NCAA Tournament.
Like Louisville, Michigan has been powered by its youthful talent. Sophomore guards Olivia Olson and Syla Swords are the team's leading scorers, averaging 19.2 and 14.8 points per game, respectively. They were the driving forces in the Wolverines' lopsided win over the Wolfpack, combining for 53 points.
Olson and Swords are two of Michigan's three sophomore starters, helping the team average 83.9 points per game while holding opponents to 62.5 points per outing for a 21.4-point average scoring margin.
Depth is another similarity between Louisville and Michigan. The Cardinals have been able to go deep in their bench without letting up. Michigan, too, possesses a strong group of reserves. During the last five regular-season games, the Wolverines played at least seven bench players three times. Getting a big lead on N.C. State also allowed the team to play eight of its reserves. Sophomore guard Te'yala Delfosse led the unit with seven points and five rebounds.
Score pick: Louisville 75, Michigan 71.
When: 12:30 or 3 p.m. ET Saturday, March 28.
Where: Dickies Arena; Fort Worth, Texas.
Think you can beat our expert? Join USA TODAY’s Bracket Challenge today!
TV: ABC.
Streaming: Fubo (free trial).
Nick Curran (play-by-play) and Cortnee Walton (analyst) will have the call on the Cardinal Sports Network (WLCL 93.9-FM and WGTK 970-AM in Louisville).
You can also listen online via GoCards.com.
Alexis Cubit is the Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer for the Journal-Courier. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Michigan vs Louisville prediction, Women's March Madness Sweet 16 pick
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After opening March Madness with a 72-52 win over 14th-seeded Vermont, the third-seeded Cardinals took down sixth-seeded Alabama on Monday at the KFC Yum! Center to earn a meeting against Michigan women's basketball. The second-seeded Wolverines downed seventh-seeded N.C. State, 92-63, in the Round of 32.
This is the first time that Louisville and Michigan have played since the 2022 Elite Eight. UofL won that contest, 62-50.
[ Michigan women's basketball building something special in Sweet 16 run ]
Here are three things to know about Michigan with a Sweet 16 prediction:
Michigan women's basketball sharpened by Big Ten schedule
The Big Ten had more schools make the NCAA Tournament than any of the other Power Four conferences with 12. Of those, five were a top-four seed. The conference also had seven teams in the most recent USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. It's a testament to the level of competition that Michigan faced during the regular season.
The Wolverines finished third in the league standings behind Big Ten champion UCLA and Iowa. They benefitted from the rigorous schedule by averaging a 32-point scoring margin during the first two games of the NCAA Tournament.
Youth, talent abound in Louisville-Michigan Sweet 16 matchup
Like Louisville, Michigan has been powered by its youthful talent. Sophomore guards Olivia Olson and Syla Swords are the team's leading scorers, averaging 19.2 and 14.8 points per game, respectively. They were the driving forces in the Wolverines' lopsided win over the Wolfpack, combining for 53 points.
Olson and Swords are two of Michigan's three sophomore starters, helping the team average 83.9 points per game while holding opponents to 62.5 points per outing for a 21.4-point average scoring margin.
Michigan women's basketball to challenge Louisville's depth
Depth is another similarity between Louisville and Michigan. The Cardinals have been able to go deep in their bench without letting up. Michigan, too, possesses a strong group of reserves. During the last five regular-season games, the Wolverines played at least seven bench players three times. Getting a big lead on N.C. State also allowed the team to play eight of its reserves. Sophomore guard Te'yala Delfosse led the unit with seven points and five rebounds.
Michigan vs Louisville prediction: March Madness Sweet 16
Score pick: Louisville 75, Michigan 71.
What time does Michigan play Louisville in 2026 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16?
When: 12:30 or 3 p.m. ET Saturday, March 28.
Where: Dickies Arena; Fort Worth, Texas.
Think you can beat our expert? Join USA TODAY’s Bracket Challenge today!
What channel is Michigan vs Louisville in March Madness Sweet 16?
TV: ABC.
Streaming: Fubo (free trial).
How to listen to Michigan vs Louisville in NCAA women's tournament on the radio
Nick Curran (play-by-play) and Cortnee Walton (analyst) will have the call on the Cardinal Sports Network (WLCL 93.9-FM and WGTK 970-AM in Louisville).
You can also listen online via GoCards.com.
Alexis Cubit is the Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer for the Journal-Courier. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Michigan vs Louisville prediction, Women's March Madness Sweet 16 pick
Continue reading...
