Crash Crisler! Michigan to Host Ohio State on New Year's Eve

» No. 9 Michigan closes out the 2021 calendar year by hosting No. 25 Ohio State at Crisler, marking Michigan's fourth ranked opponent of the season.
» Fans are encouraged to wear maize as part of a Maize Out. The game can also be seen on the Big Ten Network, Michigan's second BTN contest of the season.
» The last 11 games between the two rivals have each been decided by single digits.

THIS WEEK
Friday, Dec. 31 -- vs. #25 Ohio State (Crisler Center), Noon.
TV: Big Ten Network | Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio

• Complete Game Notes (PDF)

• Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 9-ranked University of Michigan women's basketball team (11-1, 2-0 B1G) returns to Crisler Center for the final day of the 2021 calendar year, hosting No. 25 Ohio State (9-2, 1-1 B1G) at noon on the Big Ten Network. Fans are encouraged to wear maize as part of a Maize Out.

Wolverine Notes

• Michigan has entered the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for the first time in program history, coming in at No. 9 in the last two editions of the poll. U-M is also in at No. 7 in the USA Today/Coaches poll, also marking the highest ranking in program history.

• No. 9 Michigan is facing its fourth ranked opponent of the season in No. 25 Ohio State. U-M knocked off No. 16 Oregon State, 61-52, as part of the Daytona Beach Invitational (Nov. 26) before falling at No. 10 Louisville, 70-48, in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge (Dec. 2). U-M most recently defeated No. 5 Baylor in overtime, 74-68, in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Showcase (Dec. 19) for its first-ever win over a top-five opponent.

• Michigan and Ohio State will once again face off in a home-and-home series during conference action. The teams split the two meetings last year, with each school winning on its home court. OSU recorded an 81-77 win in Columbus last year despite a 50-point effort from Naz Hillmon. The Wolverines countered with a 75-66 win in Ann Arbor to stop a three-game winning streak for the Buckeyes.

• Michigan and Ohio State have played some close games since the 2009-10 season. Only two of the last 21 games between Ohio State and Michigan have had a margin larger than 11: a 64-49 U-M win in Columbus on Jan. 5, 2014, and a 64-51 Michigan win at Crisler on Dec. 30, 2010. The last 11 games between the two rivals have each been decided by single digits and by a total of 71 points (6.5 points per game). Michigan has five wins over Ohio State since Kim Barnes Arico took over in 2012-13, accounting for 36 percent of U-M's 14 all-time wins against the Buckeyes.

• Senior Naz Hillmon is on the verge of becoming the 44th player in program history and the first active player on this team to appear in 100 career games, entering the contest with 99 games played. She is one double-double away from becoming the second player in program history to record 40 double-doubles in a career after picking up her fifth of the season last time out. Hillmon has a chance to become the first player in program history to record 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career. She is currently fourth all-time at Michigan in both scoring (1,753) and rebounding (860).

• No. 25 Ohio State (9-2, 1-1 B1G) has won two straight entering Friday's (Dec. 31) contest. The Buckeyes are averaging 84.6 points per game on 49.3 percent shooting while allowing 59.8 points per game on 38.4 percent shooting. OSU features a trio of double-figure scorers in Jacy Sheldon (18.6 ppg), Taylor Mikesell (17.0 ppg) and Rebeka Mikulasikova (12.3 ppg). The teams split the two meetings last year.

• Through 12 games, Michigan has a pair of double-figure scorers and another four players averaging at least 7.2 points per game. Naz Hillmon leads the way for Michigan, averaging 20.2 points per game and scoring at least 12 points in all 11 games she has played. Leigha Brown is putting up 14.6 points per game on the strength of seven double-figure scoring contests, highlighted by a 25-point effort against No. 5 Baylor (Dec. 19). Emily Kiser (9.9 ppg), Laila Phelia (7.6 ppg), Maddie Nolan (7.4 ppg) and Danielle Rauch (7.2 ppg) are each scoring at least seven points per game.

Up Next

Tuesday, Jan. 4 -- at Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb.), 8 p.m. CST