Saying that the matchup between No.9 Michigan Wolverines and No. 14 Indiana Hoosiers is huge would be an understatement. The Western Division championships are coming up and right now Michigan sits atop the standings with the Maryland Terrapins while Indiana is at third with a 4-1 record.
Indiana has already lost to Maryland and Michigan faces off with Maryland on the season finale, so this game could create a log jam at the top if Indiana wins. However, if Michigan wins the showdown between them and Maryland will be huge.
This game also will be broadcast on the Big 10 Network at 12 p.m. ET:
"The nice thing is that we have become a regular on the BTN. This is our fourth game on the network and our third against IU," said Michigan water polo head coach Matt Anderson.
"Viewers around the nation expect it, and we are glad to continue the relationship. With the new Big Ten/PAC-12 TV collaboration, we should be able to see more televised games due to the PAC-12's top four teams in the country."
"We are very excited to continue the relationship between water polo and the BTN," said Indiana head coach Barry King. "It should be a great match between two very young and aggressive teams."
This is the second meeting between these two teams, the first meeting was at the 2012 Michigan Kick Off where Indiana won 6-3. Since that opening game, both teams have gone on to have successful seasons with Michigan facing the more stiff competition than Indiana.
Michigan has dominated the Western division weekly awards:
Alex Adamson, CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK (MARCH 22)
Meagan Cobb, PLAYER OF THE WEEK (MARCH 20)
Kelsey Nolan, CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK (MARCH 13)
Lauren Thatcher, FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK (FEB. 28)
Kiki Golden, PLAYER OF THE WEEK (FEB. 7)
Kelsey Nolan, DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK (FEB. 7)
Elizabeth Williams, FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK (FEB. 7)
While Indiana has done well, but not quite up to the level of Michigan:
Player of the Week:
Shae Fournier (5) - Jan. 24, Feb. 14, Feb. 27, Mar. 6, Mar. 13Defensive Player of the Week:
Cassie Wyckoff (5) - Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 14, Mar. 13, Mar. 20Rookie of the Week:
Colleen McNaught (2) - Jan. 24, Mar. 20
Indiana also has the leading scorer in the CWPA in Fournier who has 80 goals so far (2.67 goals per game) and is one goal away from tying the single season scoring record, and with many games left. Wyckoff also leads the CWPA in saves with 293 and is the career saves leader in Indiana water polo history.
Michigan will be sporting pink suits and using a pink water polo ball to promote breast cancer awareness during this game.
Listen tot the teleconference on this game right here.
My prediction for this game is Michigan winning 10-8.
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