Fordham women have been pretty solid the past few seasons. A few WNIT appearances, a conference title and NCAA appearance in the 2018-19 season. Lost in the conference title game by 5 points to VCU the following year (no NCAA or WNIT due to covid). Had a alot of covid issues this past season, but they finished top third of the conference every year she was an assistant.
That, plus having helped coach back-to-back A10 POTY and being a Dawn Staley guard, makes me optimistic.
Off topic: Congrats to M softball once again B1G champs and once again get gypped out of the top 16 seeds by the ncaa. It’s always the southern or w coast teams that get seeded for home field the first but this year shouldn’t be a big deal they only played 13 at home all year. They play at Washington.
By the way, has any one figured out yet what is a foul in women’s field hockey? Still curious.
When I was in college any field hockey game I went to was the most confusing experience imaginable lol
I was wondering whether we should start a UofM non-basketball, non-football Athletics thread?
Another great season for Hutch and Co., and I agree, they did get a horrid draw, traveling to Seattle and if they win the regional, they would probably face #1 Oklahoma in the Supers. It hurt the B1G this year to have a conference-only schedule in softball and it will probably hurt the baseball team as well. There was no baseline to judge the B1G against the SEC and Big 12.
Alas, gotta face the juggernauts eventually to win the whole shebang. U-M’s two aces could give them a chance…
Since we don’t have another thread right now, I’m linking the galleries of the softball games I photographed this season. It was a short season at Alumni Field but I’m happy to have been back there at all, after last year’s cancellation. I’m supposed to shoot 2 of the 3 baseball games this weekend, as well.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mgoblog/albums/with/72157719187871643
I hope that’s okay with Dylan.
Great photos, JD! I think you have a future in photojournalism! 
I haven’t looked at all the photos yet, but I can tell that you have a gift, my friend. Thanks for sharing that gift with us! We are Blessed by your good work in capturing all that is wonderful and special about Michigan athletics!
Thanks, @silverblue! I got into it a little later than many (though I did take a photo/darkroom class back in the 90’s) and really love photographing a variety of things. I’ve been passionate about sports for most of my life and being able to help tell the story of an event is a bonus.
Kind of a funny story- I connected with Dustin (the Dustin who’s been providing great images here for years) through social media back around 2014. I’d started taking photo classes in 2013 after returning to Ann Arbor and we’d chat on line a bit about photography.
I finally met him in person in 2015, I believe, when I was attending a Michigan Basketball game. I said hello to him at halftime or during a timeout and the one thing I really recall is him asking “You want to be doing this?” and I gave an enthusiastic yes. Two years later, I got my first crack at doing so and now am finishing my 5th spring of UofM sports…and the last few galleries of softball feature a lens that I just bought off of Dustin.
Both Dustin and one of my fellow mgoblog photographers have been very good about answering some questions I’ve had over the years, regarding sports photography.
Sounds like there is a, sort of, fraternity of photojournalists or photographers in general that really respect each other and the process and are willing to help one another. I think that’s really cool. I’ve felt that way with coaching where, even though there is competition, guys are willing to help one another. Honest to gosh that’s how the world ought to be, I think, people helping each other to be the best they can be. Anyway, again, I really have enjoyed your photos and the way you are able to capture very special moments in such a beautiful way. Thanks!
Juwan was at Sunday’s baseball game and I totally missed it. I saw a shot from another photographer. It was 80 degrees out there so that’s serious dedication that he sat in the heat for 3 hours for a Michigan loss.
In Women’s Hoops news, KBA is out there making offers:
I like the graphic she used. Have other recruits used it, because I can’t remember any?
After doing some Googling, here’s what I found out about these 3:
From ESPN:
P Blanca Thomas 2024
Charlotte Catholic High School (North Carolina)
espnW rating: Four+ stars
Thomas is a true big with length and the skills to make her potentially elite. She has good hands and can move well laterally. She plays the game with an awareness and with the intention to leave her mark.
In the paint, she changes a lot of shots with her presence as a shot-blocking threat. She runs the floor well and has shown she can sprint, catch and finish. Coming off a season in which she averaged 18 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocks, this summer will serve as an opportunity to improve her rebounding efforts out of area and defensive techniques off the ball, as well as play with some contact offensively.
Many Big Ten and Pac-12 teams have been recruiting her, and she also holds offers from Ole Miss, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Western Carolina.
Hannah Hidalgo is a PG in the 2023 Class. ESPN has her as a 4-star.
Here’s a recent article about her https://basketballsocietyonline.com/hannah-hidalgo-sophomore-new-jersey
Darianna “Dee” Alexander: I didn’t find much out there except for this review from last year.
https://www.lbinsider.com/news_article/show/1112911
It looks like they got an add to the current class:
Apparently, she was a Rice commit. I haven’t found a ton on her but here’s her Hudl page:
She’s listed as a 6’1" SG. 3-point shooting was a weakness for Michigan last season. Any added shooters can’t hurt.
Here’s her bio from when she signed with Rice (Their former coach left for University of Washington in April):
Jordan Hobbs – 6’1" – Guard
Hometown: Springboro, Ohio
AAU Program: Cincinnati Angels (Donte Harlan)
High School: Springboro High School (Tom Benjamin)
About Hobbs: As a junior, Hobbs averaged 14.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in a season in which she earned Second Team All-State honors for the Panthers. Hobbs was also named a First Team All-Southwest District nominee and the league’s Player of the Year.
Jordan Hobbs on choosing Rice: “I chose Rice because it was a school that offered everything that I was looking for. The academics are unparalleled and the education will provide me with a great career in the future. In addition, I love the campus, coaching staff, players, and the culture that Coach Langley has built.”
Tina Langley on Hobbs: “Jordan is a 6’1 wing with an extensive skill set. She can shoot the ball at a high level and has the ability to score off the bounce. She is also an excellent playmaker, always looking to put her teammates in a position to be successful. Her versatility and ability to play multiple positions will make her a matchup nightmare.”
Coach Harlan on Hobbs: “Coaching Jordan has truly been a blessing. I’ve never had a young lady transform her game as much as she has while in high school. Her ability to play four positions effectively is what makes her special. Her work ethic, determination, and resiliency is why she will thrive at Rice.”
Coach Benjamin on Hobbs: “Great family, great person, great versatility and a huge ceiling on her offensive game. I love Jordan Hobbs!”
Uncasville, Conn. (May 27, 2021) – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the field of teams for the eighth annual Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase on December 19 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Local favorite and 11-time National Champions UConn (Big East) will take on Louisville (ACC), and Baylor (Big 12) will faceoff with Michigan (Big Ten).
Revenge game!