The Michigan Wolverines narrowly lost to the top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks 68-62 in a game where a star was seemingly born.
While true freshman Syla Swords has been incredibly successful at nearly every level she has previously played at, her skills were still underrated. Many college basketball fans have no idea who Swords is, but soon will know the name if her first game with the Wolverines was a sign of the future.
Swords signed on with the Michigan Wolverines program as a five-star recruit and the fourth-ranked national recruit. The guard is a highest-rated postseason recruit to ever join the Wolverines program. Ratings often change, and the Wolverines have signed recruits in the past ranked higher than Swords pre-season, but the guard remained a five-star even after signing on.
The guard is quite the accomplished athlete and has proven to be more than just a “freshman” but rather a serious contributor. Swords played for the Canadian National Team this offseason in the Paris Olympics and averaged 3.3-points and 1.3-rebounds per game. Swords also won bronze at the 2023 U19 FIBA World Cup and averaged 15-points per game for the team.
SYLA. SWORDS.
STEPBACK THREE pic.twitter.com/F16VmUHcqY
— Crina Mustafa (@crinamm) November 5, 2024
During his collegiate debut, the talented guard recorded 27-points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and one steal for the Wolverines. Swords recorded a double-double in her debut while shooting 47.4% from the floor and 33.3% from long-range. Perhaps the cherry on top of the performance from Swords was the fact that it came against the toughest possible team the guard could have faced.
While Swords excited, it was unfortunately not enough for the Michigan Wolverines to take and hold a lead over the Gamecocks. Guard Jordan Hobbs had an off night shooting, nailing 6-of-22 shots and 5-of-16 three-point attempts, which is not typical for the great player.
Can Syla Swords Continue to Perform this Season for the Michigan Wolverines?
With one collegiate game under her belt, many expect the talented Syla Swords to continue to play up to a high level for the Michigan Wolverines.
After just one game, the talented athlete has already been dubbed “Canadian Clark” by some fans due to her exceptional play. While the Michigan Wolverines may have lost, it was a game where the Wolverines were 21-point underdogs in an expected blowout. The play of Swords nearly allowed the Wolverines to tie the game, and also opened opportunities for her teammates.
The Michigan Wolverines and Swords have the month of November to take time to perfect their game against lesser opponents. The Wolverines play the ranked Oklahoma Sooners in December before entering a ranked Big Ten Conference gauntlet. It is difficult to call a ranked upset a “must win” game, but if the Wolverines can pull it off against the Sooners, it will make navigating the conference schedule much easier.
The Wolverines must play #3 USC, #14 Ohio State, #23 Nebraska, #25 Indiana, and #23 Maryland this season in conference. Outside of the Sooners, Michigan also needs to play #5 UCLA out of conference, which will also be a very tough game. The games to watch for Swords and Michigan are going to come against Indiana, Nebraska, and Ohio State.
Michigan defeated Indiana and Ohio State last season in upset wins where the Wolverines led the majority of the game. Nebraska, however, handily defeated Michigan twice last season and the Wolverines are truly due for a win over the Cornhuskers.
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