Programs that have a star can make noise in college basketball.

Programs that surround a star with strong teammates can be in the hunt for championships and

deep tournament runs in college basketball.

Programs with a star who is a selfless teammate and who has strong teammates around him or her

can dream of anything in college basketball.

Michigan women's basketball has steadily climbed to that

third and final description coming into this season, which is why the Wolverines are ranked just

outside the top 10 in the preseason poll and considered a real threat in a loaded Big 10.

Now, that star is Nas Hillman. And the supporting cast is really good, with Leah Brown as a pretty

legit co-star alongside her. But make no mistake, Nas Hillman is the heartbeat of this team heading

into her fourth season. She is a record setter, a winner, a Big Ten preseason player of the year,

and a future pro. Now, plenty of factors will determine where this season goes, and you need more than just

what I described above to realize those lofty dreams.

You need some bounces to go your way.

You need to remain healthy.

But Michigan women's basketball boasts the prerequisites to competing for everything out

there in a college basketball season.

Nas has plenty of help around her.

She doesn't have to go about this thing alone by any stretch.

But there is a reason she got the loudest ovation among the women at Michigan Madness.

And I'd say she was second to Juan Howard overall.

There's a reason this is like her 5,000th interview request in the last calendar year.

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