I wasn’t planning to write a post today. Michigan’s routine 83-48 blowout of Holy Cross in the NCAA Tournament opener didn’t merit one.

Then N.C. State played Tennessee for the right to face the Wolverines. This was eventful. First and foremost, UT’s Kim Caldwell committed coaching malpractice.

When I previewed this weekend’s action, I mentioned the Vols had used 20 different starting lineups this season, never fielding the same one more than three times. I didn’t realize Caldwell used a formula to determine the starters:

Are you fucking kidding me? How did this ever work at any level? How did Caldwell obtain one of the two most prestigious coaching jobs in women’s college basketball?

She may not have it for much longer, at least.

Tennessee fell behind 19-7 to open the game, could never find their rhythm — I wonder why? — and despite getting within three points in the second half, never appeared like a serious threat to win. Their best player and only consistent performer, Talaysia Cooper, spent the last 2:26 on the bench as UT’s chances went from slim to none in a 76-61 loss. That’s her with her jersey over her face.

I’ve never seen anything like that. I certainly never thought I’d feel bad for Tennessee women’s basketball fans. I hope they’re freed from Caldwell this offseason. I genuinely hated watching that game despite having no real rooting interest.

Meanwhile, N.C. State first-team All-ACC guard Zoe Brooks left the game with a foot injury in the second half and didn’t return. Her status appears to be in genuine question for Sunday.

Let’s look back at Michigan’s win over Holy Cross and then try previewing the Wolfpack again.

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As expected, Michigan was too big, too athletic, and too skilled for Holy Cross to keep up. The Wolverines set the tone with a game-opening 10-0 run, shooting 5-for-7 and rebounding both missed shots. A Mila Holloway three-pointer punctuated a 27-6 first quarter.

Michigan set the car in cruise control from there, backing off their press — which gave Holy Cross serious trouble — to focus on halfcourt defense and running their offensive sets. The two teams were almost dead even in the second and third quarters before U-M pulled away with a 26-14 advantage in the fourth.

Holloway starred throughout, leading the team with 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in 29 minutes. After a rough performance in the Big Ten Tournament, her 5-for-9 three-point shooting was a welcome bounce-back.

“I've definitely been struggling with my shot in the past few games,” Holloway said. “But our confidence and belief in one another never wavers. It's constant positive touches, constant -- yeah, just our constant belief in one another just kind of boosted me to hit those shots today.”

Syla Swords scored 12 of her 13 points in the first half, starting the game with five straight makes from the field. Olivia Olson and Brooke Quarles Daniels both chipped in 12 points — we even saw BQD hit a couple jump shots, which hopefully will stick in the mind of N.C. State defenders.

Te’Yala Delfosse played with great energy off the bench, scoring ten points and grabbing a couple impressive offensive rebounds. Kim Barnes Arico was able to limit the starters’ minutes — nobody played more than 31 — and empty the bench late.

Michigan played an impressively clean game against an overmatched opponent. They dished out 17 assists against only nine turnovers, committed only six fouls, and limited Holy Cross to a single offensive rebound.

Crusaders star Meg Cahalan managed only seven points on 3-for-11 shooting. Only guard Kaitlyn Flanagan scored in double digits with 11 points and she had five of the team’s 20 turnovers. U-M’s effort level and focus never appeared to waver.