Angelique S. Chengelis and Tony Paul of The Detroit News predict the outcome of Saturday’s Michigan vs. Louisville Women’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game (12:30 p.m., ABC).
➤Angelique S. Chengelis: Michigan blew out its opening two NCAA Tournament opponents, but now things get real in the Sweet 16 against No. 3 seed Louisville. The Cardinals were tested in their second-round win against Alabama, 69-68, on Monday, a day after Michigan smoked N.C. State, which was without its starting point guard. The Wolverines are a young but confident group and favored by 4.5 in this game. The last time Michigan and Louisville met, the Cardinals won, 62-50, four years ago. That was Michigan’s only Elite Eight appearance. This season Michigan is ninth in scoring, averaging 83.9 points, while Louisville is 17th (79.4). They’re both young teams who have used their bench players throughout the season and built depth. Pick: Michigan, 70-65
➤Tony Paul: There was a pretty cool scene in Michigan’s second-round win over N.C. State. It came in the fourth quarter, with the game pretty much out of reach. Syla Swords made a 3-pointer. Then Olivia Olson made a 3-pointer. Then Mila Holloway made a 3-pointer. Back-to-back-to-back, all in the span of 61 seconds, each coming from a member of Michigan’s superb sophomore class. They were freshmen last year, albeit darned good ones. They’ve already made it a rung farther than last year, when they bowed out in the second round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament. Don’t be surprised if Michigan has one more step to take in this year’s tournament, before the road comes to an end in the Elite Eight against No. 1 Texas. Pick: Michigan, 72-62
Women’s NCAA Tournament
NO. 2 MICHIGAN VS. NO. 3 LOUISVILLE
What: Sweet 16 Women’s NCAA Tournament game
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas
TV: ABC
Records: Michigan 27-6, Louisville 29-7
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Predictions for Michigan vs. Louisville in Women’s NCAA Tournament
Reporting by The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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