Michigan to Open 2020-21 With Games Against CMU, Oakland

Wednesday, November 25

Ann Arbor, Mich.

12:30 PM

Michigan

Central Michigan

(Michigan Photography)

Michigan to Open 2020-21 With Games Against CMU, Oakland

11/24/2020 11:09:00 AM | Women's Basketball

By: Sarah VanMetre

» Michigan opens the 2020-21 season with a pair of in-state opponents in Central Michigan and Oakland. U-M will host CMU Wednesday (Nov. 25) at 12:30 p.m. and will travel to Oakland Friday (Nov. 27) at 6 p.m.
» U-M brings back four regular starters from last season's 21-11 team: Naz Hillmon, Amy Dilk, Hailey Brown and Akienreh Johnson.
» The Wolverines begin the season ranked No. 25 by the Associated Press and No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches poll.

• Complete Game Notes (PDF)
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 25-ranked University of Michigan women's basketball team (0-0) will kick off the 2020-21 campaign with a pair of in-state opponents, welcoming Central Michigan to Crisler Center on Wednesday (Nov. 25) at 12:30 p.m. before concluding the week at Oakland (0-0) on Friday (Nov. 27) at 6 p.m.

Hail From Home

Game days may look different this season, but the tradition of cheering on Michigan women's basketball continues. Hail From Home is our way to virtually bring the excitement of game day to fans. Throughout the season, fans can look forward to a variety of digital engagements including a game day check-in with monthly prizes, fan cutouts at Crisler Center, game day playlists, Crisler scoreboard messages, special theme games, and more. » Hail From Home

Wolverine Notes

• Michigan brings back four regular starters from last season's 21-11 squad in Naz Hillmon (17.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Amy Dilk (11.6 ppg, 4.5 apg), Akienreh Johnson (10.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Hailey Brown (8.9 ppg). In addition, Maddie Nolan (3.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg) started the final 11 games of the season, with Danielle Rauch (1.4 ppg, 1.0 rpg) started three times.

• For the third time in the last four years, Michigan garnered a preseason ranking from the Associated Press. U-M came in this season at No. 25 with 65 points after last year's 21-11 finish. In addition, the Maize and Blue came in at No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll with 84 points. It is the second straight season that Michigan has been ranked in both polls to start the year.

• Graduate student Akienreh Johnson was granted an extra year of eligibility after playing in just 10 games as a freshman before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Johnson, who graduated from Michigan in May with a degree in general studies, is pursuing a Master's of Social Work degree. She started all 32 games last season, going for 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in 31.8 minutes per game. She scored in double figures 14 times with four 20-point games and a trio of double-doubles last season.

• Central Michigan is coming off a 23-6 campaign last season after averaging 76.6 points per game while allowing 70.7 to its opponents. CMU returns its three double-figure scorers from last season in Micaela Kelly (21.5 ppg), Molly Davis (14.5 ppg) and Kyra Bussell (13.9 ppg). The Chips are coached by former Wolverine Heather Oesterle (1999-2002), who is in her second year as head coach. It will be the first meeting between the two schools since 2006.

• The Golden Grizzlies begin their 2020-21 campaign against the Wolverines after going 11-19 a season ago. Oakland averaged 65.8 points per game on 39.6 percent shooting last year while giving up 70.1 points per contest on 42.5 percent shooting. Oakland welcomes back its two double-figure scorers from last season in Kahlaijah Dean (12.0 ppg) and Jalisha Terry (10.5 ppg). Michigan and Oakland are meeting for the fifth straight season.