The University of Michigan’s women’s basketball program has announced that it will open its 2026‑27 campaign with a high‑stakes game against Oklahoma on Dec. 5 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The contest is part of the annual Champions Classic, a showcase that brings together some of the nation’s most competitive programs.
A New Chapter for the Wolverines
In addition to the Sooners, the Wolverines are slated to face Maryland and Connecticut later in the non‑conference schedule, but the early‑season meeting with Oklahoma carries particular weight. The tip‑off times for the games against UConn and Maryland have been moved to 2 p.m., a change that reflects the event’s broader logistical planning.
Michigan arrives at the new season riding the momentum of a recent Elite Eight appearance, a run that ended with a 28‑7 record and a 15‑3 mark in Big Ten play. The team returns a star‑studded lineup that includes Olivia Olson, who averaged 18.9 points per game last year, Syla Swords with 14.6 points, Mila Holloway’s 12.3, Te’Yala Delfosse’s 8.7 and Ashley Solfilkanich’s 7.7.
Head coach will rely on that depth as the Wolverines look to defend their conference standing, where they finished tied for second in the Big Ten. The roster’s blend of scoring and versatility positions Michigan as a contender for another deep tournament run.
Star Power on the Other Side
Oklahoma, meanwhile, brings a potent offense led by sophomore guard Aaliyah Chavez. The former No. 1 recruit is now a sophomore who averaged 18.4 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game last season, earning All‑SEC second‑team honors and a WBCA All‑America mention.
Chavez’s impact helped the Sooners finish 26‑8 overall, including an 11‑5 record in SEC play that placed them fifth in the conference and No. 12 in the national rankings. The team’s previous meeting with Michigan resulted in a 72‑62 loss, extending Michigan’s 0‑3 record against Oklahoma.
The upcoming clash will also mark the first time the Wolverines face Oklahoma since the Sooners replaced Iowa State as the designated opponent, a switch that was first announced on March 11. Raegan Beers, a former All‑American center who played for Oklahoma before graduating, will not be on the court, but her legacy remains part of the program’s recent history.
Key Players to Watch
Olivia Olson’s scoring prowess will be matched against Chavez’s all‑around game, while Michigan’s interior presence, anchored by the graduating Raegan Beers’ former teammates, will look to control the paint. For Oklahoma, the depth of supporting talent around Chavez could prove decisive as the team seeks to translate its SEC success into a national narrative.