Fresh off a blowout win over Holy Cross in their 2026 NCAA Women’s Tournament opener, Michigan basketball is hoping to achieve a second-weekend appearance in March Madness for only the third time in program history.
In their way: 7-seed North Carolina State, who defeated Tennessee, 76-61, in the opening round.
The Wolverines and Wolfpack are set to play Sunday, March 22, at 1 p.m. at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. The winner will move on to the Sweet 16, where they’ll play the winner of the game between 3-seed Louisville and 6-seed Alabama.
Watch Michigan-N.C. State Women’s March Madness on Fubo
Michigan finished the regular season 25-6 and went 15-3 in the Big Ten, which included a sweep of rival Michigan State among other statement wins, which got the Wolverines a 2-seed and allowed them to host the first two rounds at Crisler Center.
Here’s what to know about how to watch, as well as live updates on the matchup:
Michigan vs. N.C. State live updates
Michigan brings pressure early in the second half
Q3 4:55: Michigan 40, NC State 32.
The Wolfpack clawed back in the second quarter by limiting turnovers and Michigan’s opportunities on the break, but the Wolverines ramped up the defensive intensity to start the second half.
Michigan continued to struggle to hit from deep early in the third, but managed to get a run out opportunity that led to an easy layup from guard Mila Holloway after an Olivia Olson steal. Olson, who was scoreless in the first half, also got on the board after drawing contact on an aggressive drive to the rim and converting from the stripe. Then, after an 0-6 start from the field, Olson hit her first shot and drew another foul after the Wolverines forced another NC State turnover.
N.C. State punches back to end the half
HALFTIME: Michigan 28, NC State 25.
NC State settled into the second quarter after a near-ruinous start – trailing by fourteen, the Wolfpack cut down on the turnovers and limited Michigan’s fast break opportunities to trim the deficit to three at the half.
Michigan guard Olivia Olson was scoreless in the first half, as she struggled to find her shot amid foul trouble. Olson missed all five of her attempts from the field. Michigan also missed contributions from guard Mila Holloway, who led them in scoring with 20 in their opening game against Holy Cross but was held to six points on 3-9 shooting in the first half against NC State.
As a group, Michigan only hit 1 of their final 11 attempts from the field in the half. NC State, in turn, found offensive rhythm late. The Wolfpack were led in the half by Khamil Pierre’s 10 points on 5-10 shooting.
Wolverines causing havoc on defense
Q2, 4:41: Michigan 26, NC State 15.
Michigan blitzed NC State to start the second quarter, ramping up their full court press. At one point, they forced seven consecutive turnovers from the Wolfpack, a big factor in a 14-0 Michigan run. NC State missed the sure handle of guard Zoe Brooks, an all-ACC selection, who missed the game with a foot injury she suffered in the opening matchup against Tennessee.
Star forward Khamil Pierre finally ended the drought for NC State, finishing through contact at the rim while drawing a foul.
Here comes Syla Swords
Q2, 7:41: Michigan 21, NC State 13.
Michigan guard Syla Swords, a first-team all-Big Ten selection, erased a quiet first quarter by hitting the team’s first two buckets of the second. Then, she sent forward Ashley Sofalkanich a smooth entry pass into the paint, allowing Sofalkanich to draw a foul and convert from the free throw stripe.
After Michigan forced a turnover with full-court pressure, Swords drilled a deep three forcing an NC State timeout. The Wolverines jumped out a 9-0 run to start the second frame.
Quiet first for Michigan stars
END Q1: NC State 13, Michigan 12.
Michigan struggled to get star sophomore guards Syla Swords and Olivia Olson going early. Olson missed her first three shot attempts and Swords couldn’t break a field goal drought that lasted nearly five minutes of game time, missing a step-back three attempt. The drought didn’t end until Brooke Quarles Daniels nailed a mid-range jumper from the left elbow.
Olson picked up her second foul, getting in a tie up with Wolfpack guard Devyn Quigley for an offensive foul with 47 seconds left in the quarter.
NC State, meanwhile, continued to play through Khamil Pierre. She had six points in the first. Her frontcourt partner also Tilda Trygger hit a contested three to put NC State up 13-12 with time winding down in the first.
Quarles Daniels off to fast start
Q1, 4:43: Michigan 8, NC State 8.
Guard Brooke Quarles Daniels has paced the Wolverines to start – she got two quick buckets right at the rim, once on a dribble drive and the other on an uncontested layup after an offensive rebound. Then, she hit a 19-foot jumper from the right wing, but the bucket was chalked off for a shot clock violation after review.
NC State kept the pace, though. Forward Khamil Pierre, the team’s leading scorer, made a layup and then a jumper. Both teams have tried to assert their physicality on defense while getting out on the break offensively.
NC State guard Ky’She Lunan, who started for injured guard, picked up two quick fouls and had to sit.
No Brooks for Wolfpack, Brown for Michigan
NC State will be without guard Zoe Brooks against Michigan. Brooks, the team’s second-leading scorer and leader in assists, suffered a right ankle injury in the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament opener against Tennessee.
Michigan is also without junior guard Macy Brown, who suffered an injury in practice Saturday, according to the broadcast. Brown averaged 2.5 points off the bench in the regular season for the Wolverines.
Michigan starting five
N.C. State starting lineup
Michigan women’s basketball vs Holy Cross game time in March Madness
Michigan women’s basketball March Madness TV channel
Michigan’s second-round matchup against N.C. State can be watched and streamed on Fubo, which carries ESPN channels.
Watch Michigan-NC State Women’s March Madness on Fubo
NCAA women’s tournament Final Four location
You can reach Arpan Lobo at alobo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan women’s basketball live updates vs N.C. State
Reporting by Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
