Jordan Hobbs addresses pivotal role as leader in Michigan's bounce-back season

Michigan had a lot to overcome this past offseason. The Wolverines went 20-14 last season and ultimately fell to Kansas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

In turn, Michigan lost over half of its offensive production to the transfer portal, including then-junior guard Laila Phelia, who averaged 16.8 points per game in the 2023-24 season and was named an All-Big Ten First Team selection. She transferred to Texas in April.

Understandably, Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico was hurt by the players’ decision to leave the program. She wasn’t afraid to admit it, either.

“I was crushed,” Barnes Arico said at Michigan Media Day.  “I was really hurt. And I think everybody in that position would be.

“… I had a bunch of coaches reach out to me … They said, ‘We know it hurts, we’ve been through it already… You know you’re going to be OK.'”

Of course, it’s difficult to believe everything is going to be OK in the moment. Thankfully for Barnes Arico, she wasn’t facing the challenge of rebuilding the roster alone.

Senior guard Jordan Hobbs stuck by Barnes Arico’s side through the trying times and the pair emerged on the other side better for it. On Friday, Michigan showed off just how much it’s improved since last season by handing Maryland a 98-71 shellacking in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.

In the win, Hobbs tallied a team-high 23 points. However, freshmen Syla Swords and Olivia Olson also combined for 42 points.

Those freshman may not have been on Michigan’s roster this season if it wasn’t for Hobbs’ dedication to the team. After Michigan’s blowout win over Maryland, Hobbs admitted she called every incoming freshman this offseason to reassure them that they were making the right decision by joining the Wolverines.

“It is true,” Hobbs said. “Coach kind of pushed me into doing that and being the leader coming into this year, but I just called them and let them know that, yes, there’s four people returning, and that’s a little bit scary from the outside, but we’re solid.

“We’re going to maintain the culture that Michigan has had for the three years that I’ve been here, and we’re going to continue to be the hardest-working team. And just making sure that they know that from the moment they step on campus, that we’re going to be behind them 10 toes.”

Michigan will need its freshmen to step up again on Saturday as the Wolverines square off against No. 1 seed USC at 3 p.m. ET. The game will air live on the Big Ten Network.