Defend the Block: KBA Talks 2022-23 Team Transition, Leadership and Culture

By Morgan Wagner

Last year in her 10th season, University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Women's Basketball Coach Kim Barnes Arico led the program to its first Elite Eight appearance and a 25-7 overall record, earning her 2022 Big Ten Coach of the Year accolades.

Now in her 11th season as the head coach, Barnes Arico is coaching a very different team with the loss of 2022 graduates Naz Hillmon, Danielle Rauch and Amy Dilk as each of them left a major impact on the program.

Not all is lost; however, as both Emily Kiser and Leigha Brown have elected to use their fifth year of eligibility, granted by the NCAA, in the upcoming 2022-23 season. Barnes Arico has turned to them to lead the underclassmen as seasoned veterans, and Kiser specifically has wasted no time getting back into the swing of things.

"Having Kiser back for a fifth year really gives us a tremendous amount of experience, as well as leadership," said Barnes Arico in the latest episode of the "Defend the Block" podcast with host Brian Boesch. "She has done a phenomenal job in the first couple days of practice, setting an example by her play, but also using her voice with the younger kids."

With four brand new additions to the team, three true freshmen and a sophomore transfer, the group has a lot to learn about themselves and each other. Nonetheless, Barnes Arico and the women's basketball team alike are excited to get back to practice after a few long months in the offseason.

Barnes Arico said the team's first-year players, Kate Clarke, Alyssa Crockett and Chyra Evans, have already transitioned well.

"They're in the gym working hard. They're learning everything there is to know about Michigan," said Barnes Arico. "They have tremendous teammates that have embraced them and welcomed them."

Another new Wolverine who has embraced the Michigan culture while finding her niche on the team is guard Greta Kampschroeder, who played the 2021-22 season at Oregon State. Kampschroeder was drawn to Michigan after playing against the Wolverines last November in the Daytona Beach Invitational.

"She really liked the intensity and the fire in which our team played and the toughness in which our team had," Barnes Arico said. Kampschroeder, the program's first McDonald's All-American, has already emulated the Wolverine's fire and intensity and has been recognized as a "phenomenal addition" to the team.

Barnes Arico added that Kampschroeder undoubtedly "buys into the culture of Michigan women's basketball and fits that mold perfectly."

The future is bright for the Wolverines as far as team dynamics are concerned.

"I think one of the best things about our program is that the upperclassmen embrace the young kids," Barnes Arico said proudly. She recalled a meeting that she had recently with Clarke, who hails from Carmel, Ind. She expressed to Barnes Arico that her transition to college has been extremely smooth because of her teammates.

Barnes Arico explained that Clarke told her, "One of the best things about the program is the people and the players have really welcomed me and made me feel comfortable."

"It's going to be interesting with our new group and our young team and how we adjust to it, but I think that's another reason you come to this program -- for an opportunity to challenge yourself against the best," Barnes Arico said. "We lost a lot of experience in the three seniors that graduated, but it's a fun time and I think those younger kids have a chip on their shoulder and have something to prove."

Barnes Arico and the Wolverines hope to return to the Elite Eight in March and are looking forward to their home opener against Delaware State on Nov. 9 at Crisler Center.