For the Michigan women’s basketball team, game days at Crisler Arena average just 2,500 fans — and those who have actually attended a game know that number is a stretch.

But on Thursday, the attention of all the dedicated maize and blue fans — including the fan who dons a pair of Adidas basketball shorts and a spirit towel during every home contest — will be on just one individual: senior guard Veronica Hicks.

As the Wolverines' lone senior, Hicks will be honored during Michigan’s last home game of the season against Minnesota (3-11 Big Ten, 11-16 overall). Hicks has made a name for herself this season, leading the Wolverines in scoring — with just under 12 points per game — and rebounds, with 5.5.

“It goes without saying that when you’re around for a period of time, you know all the shortcuts,” Michigan coach Kevin Borseth said after practice on Tuesday. “You know all the loopholes, you know what’s expected of you and you understand the competition level and intensity. (Hicks) has been through all that and she understands.”

But what Hicks also understands is that Thursday’s game is about more than herself.

“The win is really just important even beyond being my last game at Crisler,” Hicks said Tuesday. “It would put us in a great position for the season.”

The Wolverines (9-5, 16-10) are at a pivotal moment in their season with just two games remaining in regular conference play. Michigan's 16-10 record has the Wolverines on the cusp of a potential at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament. And Michigan could use some extra cushion in the win column.

“We need to get into the big tournament,” Borseth said. “This whole thing is about getting into the NCAA Tournament at this point right now, and in order to do that, the tournament committee wants to see wins. With that being said, one at a time, every game right now is extremely important.”

But the Golden Gophers proved early on this season — with a 60-50 home-court win over Michigan — that they are not a team to underestimate. Though Minnesota has only three conference wins on record, the Golden Gophers have lost six of their Big Ten games by two possessions or less, including a two-point loss to Iowa on a contested layup at the buzzer and a one-point overtime loss to Indiana.

“Minnesota is tough. They’re physical and they play aggressive,” Borseth said. “They’re kind of in your face — they get into your space, they really press the envelope with everything that you do. Last time we played against them, I don’t know if we were ready for that, or if they were that much better than we were. I don’t know that answer, but I guess we will find that out on Thursday.”

And come Thursday, the Wolverines are emphasizing toughness on the interior and making shots down the stretch. Over the past few games, Michigan has shown an improvement in post play, specifically by sophomore forward Rachel Sheffer — she has averaged 18.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in the last two games, both wins.

“When you get the ball down (into the post), you’ve got to be able to do something,” Borseth said. “But Minnesota’s pretty tough; they don’t give up a lot inside that lane. They rally really well when the ball gets around that basket. It’s going to be a challenge for us.”

The Wolverines have several areas of focus for Thursday’s game, but in the end it all comes down to securing the last home-court win of the season. And though Hicks understands that this Senior Night won’t just be about her, she wouldn’t mind if the ball bounced her way.

“You want to go out that way,” Hicks said. “I would like every shot to go in on that day too, because it’s like, ‘This is the last shot at Crisler, make it go in.’ ”