The VOICE with Matt Park

The VOICE with Matt Park...

SUNDAY, Dec. 14--Michigan's Fabulous Freshmen

I want to talk a little bit about Michigans four freshmen today, but I have to start this weeks blog with what happened Wednesday night against Notre Dame. I made it a point to seek out a few of the players after the game, and the pure joy that I saw in all of them is a testament to just what a win like that means. For the seniors C Carly Benson, Stephany Skrba, Jessica Minnfield, Melinda Queen and Ashley Jones C it has to be the biggest win they have ever been a part of at Michigan.

After the Texas A&M game three weeks ago, I was convinced that Michigan would beat a ranked team at some point this season. It happened three days later when the Wolverines knocked off then-No. 12 Vanderbilt. The win over Notre Dame is even bigger than that, and not just because the Irish were ranked higher and were a perfect 7-0 coming in to the game. No, Wednesdays win continues the Wolverines rise under second-year head coach Kevin Borseth. The Notre Dame victory was the 25th at Michigan for Borseth, giving him a 25-18 record in his brief U-M career. Only one Michigan coach, Sue Guevara, got to 25 wins faster than Borseth.

Borseth and his staff have integrated three new starters and two freshmen into the rotation. The Wolverines have played the 17th-toughest schedule in the country through the first 10 games of the season. Six of the first 10 games were away from home. Four of the first 10 opponents were ranked in the top 15 when the Wolverines played them. Michigan had only one day to prepare for seven of the first 10 games this year. Considering all of that, Michigans 6-4 record to start this season is a credit to Borseth and his staff for their ability to teach and coach the game of basketball.

In addition to his ability to coach, I gather from my observations of Coach Borseth over the last year and a half that his other great strength is in how he motivates and instills confidence in his players. The Wolverines have gone toe-to-toe with each of those top-15 teams, showing no fear or intimidation. Watching the team through its first 10 games this season, I can see the confidence of players growing. Veronica Hicks plays better and better every game. Stephany Skrba has scored 20 points in two of her last five games. Look at the plays Michigan made down the stretch against Notre Dame C Hicks knocking down two clutch free throws late in regulation, Minnfield with the drive and score with four seconds left to force overtime, Skrba with back-to-back buckets in OT to give Michigan the lead, Melinda Queen drawing a charge late in overtime for a Notre Dame turnover, Benson grabbing an offensive rebound to keep possession for U-M in the final minute. Michigan played with poise and confidence down the stretch, and I believe that Coach Borseth is a big part of that.

Now, for my promised observation of the four newcomers for the Wolverines this season. Courtney Boylan, Jamillya Hardley, Carmen Reynolds and Janell Smith are in their first season at Michigan. So far this season, Boylan and Reynolds have seen significant playing time, while Hardley and Smith have played in only one game (at USC). As a group, Ive found all four players to be engaging, intelligent, and confident. In practice and at shootarounds, all four are active and work hard. I think its especially impressive to see that from Jamillya and Janell, who arent seeing much playing time. As with most freshmen at a high-profile Division I school, Jam and Nelly were the best players on their high school teams, logging heavy minutes and playing a significant role on offense. Now, in their first collegiate season, they do most of their work away from the spotlight in practice, often as part of the group helping prepare the starters for what they will see from the upcoming opponent.

Courtney burst onto the season with her 18-point performance against Kentucky in the season opener, and shes been a regular in the rotation ever since. Ive heard more than one person describe her as a gym rat, and she takes as many shots in pre-game shootaround as any other player. Carmen has appeared in each of the last six games after playing in just one of the first four contests. Shes hit four triples in the last two games, and played a career-high 18 minutes against Notre Dame. Off the court, Carmen always has a smile on her face, and she was one of the happiest players I saw post-game on Wednesday night.

I like what Ive seen out of the four freshmen so far, and I think each of them will continue to work hard. I cant predict what will happen for them on the floor over the next four years, but I think each of them has the desire to be the best player they can be, and that should take each of them a long way in basketball and in life.

No games until next week, as the players take final exams and hopefully get a chance to rest and reenergize for the start of Big Ten play. Next week, Ill share my thoughts on how I see the rest of the conference and what Michigan must do to be successful in league play.

Go Blue!