Preview: Purdue Women’s Basketball at Michigan ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Interstat) — A surging Michigan women’s basketball team will look to continue its strong start when it hosts Purdue in a Big Ten Conference matchup Sunday at Crisler Center. The Wolverines (7-1) have won three straight since their only loss, a narrow 72-69 defeat at then-Connecticut on Nov. 21. Michigan has dominated its other opponents, winning by an average margin of 43.4 points in its seven victories. In its most recent game, a 82-40 win over Central Michigan on Wednesday, Michigan was led by Mila Holloway’s 16 points and four assists, alongside a 21-point performance from Olivia Olson. Holloway, a player to watch for Michigan, has been a consistent all-around force. Over her last five games, she is averaging 12.2 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds. Purdue (5-3) arrives after a 91-49 rout of Evansville on Wednesday, which snapped a two-game skid. The Boilermakers’ three losses have come by a combined 11 points, including a 57-55 defeat at Central Michigan on Nov. 30. Guard Kiki Smith is the key catalyst for Purdue. She scored 16 points in 22 minutes against Evansville and is averaging 12.3 points over her last three contests. Her playmaking will be critical against Michigan’s stout defense, which is holding opponents to just 52.6 points per game. This game opens the conference schedule for both teams. Purdue leads the all-time series 45-31, but Michigan has won four of the last five meetings. The Wolverines’ early-season resume, featuring the competitive loss at UConn and a 93-54 road win at Notre Dame, has them positioned as a potential conference contender. For Purdue, navigating a challenging early stretch away from home — this is their fifth true road game — will require limiting turnovers and finding secondary scoring behind Smith to challenge Michigan’s depth. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST Sunday. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.