Wednesday, November 28
East Lansing, Mich
7 PM ET
Michigan State University
vs
Virginia
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell
MSU Hosts Virginia in ACC/Big Ten Challenge
11/27/2018 4:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
This is only the second meeting between the Spartans and the Cavaliers.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State returns home after a pair of games at the Cancun Challenge, taking on Virginia in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. This is the 12th season of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Both the Spartans and the Cavaliers hold 5-6 records in the Challenge. Last season, MSU fell to Miami on the road, 67-57. This is MSU's first Challenge game at home since losing to Louisville in 2015.
In Cancun, the Spartans lost a close-battle to No. 13 NC State, 78-74, before defeating Kennesaw State, 75-51. Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon earned all-tournament honors after scoring 16 points against NCSU and tying a career-high with five steals against KSU. The Spartans will play two games at home as the calendar moves from November to December. After MSU hosts Virginia, it will take on Texas Southern at the Breslin Center on Dec. 2.
• This is the 12th season of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Both the Spartans and the Cavaliers hold 5-6 records in the Challenge. Last season, MSU fell to Miami on the road, 67-57. This is MSU's first Challenge game at home since losing to Louisville in 2015.
• Freshman guard Nia Clouden had a standout performance in win over Kennesaw State at the Cancun Challenge. The rookie had a season-high 18 points along with six assists in 32 minutes against the Owls.
• This is only the second meeting between the Spartans and the Cavaliers. The only other meeting took place in Miami, Florida when Virginia defeated Michigan State, 91-74, in 1990.
• In the Cancun Challenge, the Spartans compiled similar numbers with 38 rebounds in both games.
SCOUTING VIRGINIA
The Cavaliers tote a 2-4 record to East Lansing for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge showdown with the Spartans. Virginia is coming off a three-game week, having played NC A&T (W, 67-57) last Tuesday, followed by back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday against Central Michigan (L, 74-61) and Saint Louis (L, 67-65) in the Cavalier Classic. This is Virginia's second game in a four-day span against a team from the Great Lakes State after playing Central Michigan on Saturday at home.
Virginia is 5-6 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, having lost its last five games in the series, after winning its first three and five of its first six Challenge games. UVA's last win was a 90-68 victory at Minnesota in 2012.
In the loss to Saint Louis, Virginia had a seven-point lead with 3:09 left at 65-58, but the Cavaliers didn't score again, as the Billikens tied the game with 1:08 to play and netted what proved to be the game-winning basket with 12.3 seconds to go. UVA got a shot off with four seconds left, but it was off the mark and SLU rebounded to secure the win. A pair of junior guards posted double-doubles for the Cavaliers as Jocelyn Willoughby tallied 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Dominique Toussaint netted 10 points and dished out 10 assists.
Toussaint leads UVA in scoring with 12.3 points per game, adding 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, while Willoughby adds 10.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. junior center Felicia Aiyeotan leads the Cavaliers with 9.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, while freshman guard Erica Martinsen tops the team in 3-point shooting at 38.7 percent (12-of-31).
UVA head coach Tina Thompson, a former WNBA All-Star, as well as a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Hall of Fame member, is in her first season at the helm of the Cavalier program. She has a 2-4 record in her first season as a collegiate head coach.
ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE HISTORY
Michigan State will be playing the 12th annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Overall, the Spartans hold a 5-6 record in the ACC/B1G Challenge. This is the first time that MSU and Virginia have met in the Challenge.
Last year's Challenge was one of the most competitive in the history of the event, with 10 of the 14 games decided by 10 points or fewer, including four games decided by one point, with the ACC ultimately prevailing by a 10-4 count. Last year, Maryland, Penn State, Rutgers and Wisconsin registered wins for the Big Ten.
In 2014, Michigan State came-from-behind to capture a 79-73 overtime win against Georgia Tech on Dec. 4. In 2015, Louisville came out fast and despite a second-half comeback by MSU, the Cardinals captured the win, 85-78. In 2016, the Spartans traveled to No. 21 Syracuse, falling to the Orange in the Carrier Dome, 75-64. Last year, Michigan State lost to Miami in Coral Gables, 67-57, behind a game-high 14 points from Taryn McCutcheon.
ACC/B1G Challenge History
2017 - Miami 67, MSU 57
2016 - Syracuse 75, MSU 64
2015 - Louisville 85, MSU 78
2014 - MSU 79, Georgia Tech 73 (OT)
2013 - Florida State 60, MSU 58
2012 - MSU 68, N.C. State 51
2011 - Miami 76, MSU 60
2010 - MSU 72, Florida State 64
2009 - MSU 72, North Carolina 66
2008 - Georgia Tech 57, MSU 50
2007 - MSU 68, Clemson 51
Bold = home games
FACING TWO OR MORE ACC TEAMS IN SAME SEASON
After facing NC State last week in Cancun and Virginia on Wednesday in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, this marks the second-straight season and the seventh time under head coach Suzy Merchant that the Spartans have faced two or more teams from the ACC in the same season, including the fifth time in seven years.
2018-19 (2) | NC State / Virginia ^
2017-18 (2) | Miami ^ / Notre Dame
2014-15 (2) | Notre Dame / Georgia Tech ^
2013-14 (3) | Notre Dame / FSU ^ / Virginia Tech
2012-13 (3) | Virginia Tech / NC State ^ / Maryland $&
2008-09 (2) | Georgia Tech ^ / Duke $
2007-08 (2) | Clemson ^ / NC State @
^ = Big Ten/ACC Challenge
@ = WNIT
$ = NCAA Tournament
& = Maryland was in ACC from 1953 until joining B1G in 2014
MERCHANT HONORED WITH ATHENA AWARD
Michigan State head women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant has been named the recipient of the 2018 ATHENA Leadership award, as announced by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce on Monday. The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive towards the highest levels of professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community, and who pave paths for other women to follow.
DID YOU KNOW?
Michigan State held Kennesaw State to only low six points in the second quarter on Nov. 23. The tied the least amount of point allowed by MSU in the second quarter. MSU also gave up only six points against Indiana on Dec. 28, 2017.
FABULOUS FRESHMEN
Against Kennesaw State, all three true freshman scored at least two points. Kayla Belles saw her first action of the season with two points to go along with three boards. Fellow freshman Tory Ozment had a breakout performance with 15 points, going 5-10 from the field. Nia Clouden also had a season high with 18 points against the Owls.
SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are now 32-15 in season openers, but 24-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 9-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 15 of her last 18, including her time at Eastern Michigan.
MCCUTCHEON MAKING HER MARK
With five assists against Kennesaw State, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon tied Spartan great Lindsay Bowen (2002-06) for ninth in career helpers with 371 in just three seasons. She is currently third in the Big Ten and 32nd in the nation in assists per game, averaging 5.8 apg.
BOUNCE BACK ABILITY
In Coach Merchant's first 12 seasons, the Spartans are 76-31 (71.0%) following a loss.
CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 178 of their last 188 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 129 of their last 140. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 213-16 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 4-0
IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
The Spartans are 119-39 (75.3%) all-time in the month of November. Under Coach Merchant, Michigan State is 59-11 (84.3%) in November, with seven of the 10 losses coming against top-10 opponents. The Spartans have won 33 of their last 38 in the month.
SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is currently 32nd in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 5.8 apg. She is also 12th in the country and first in the league in steals per game, averaging 3.8 spg. She has tied her career-high of five steals twice this season.
As a team, MSU is 17th in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assist per game, averaging 19.2. Iowa is first in the nation and the league with 25.0 apg. The Spartans are also 44th in country and first in the Big Ten in steals per game made with 11.4 spg.
MAGIC NUMBERS
In head coach Suzy Merchant's tenure, when two numbers on the scoreboard were achieved it typically has been a sign of a MSU win. Overall, MSU has scored at least 70 points in all five games this season. MSU has won 123 of its last 137 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 140-21 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 4-1 when scoring at least 70 with a loss to No. 13 NC State on Nov. 22.
FREQUENT FLIER
Redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley spent time overseas this summer playing for the Canadian National Team. Playing in Europe, Colley helped guide Canada to the quarterfinals of the FIBA Women's World Cup.
FANS CONTINUE TO PACK THE BRESLIN
Michigan State women's basketball continues to pack the Breslin Center, finishing the 2017-18 season 10th in the nation and second in the Big Ten home attendance. The Spartans averaged 5,689 fans in 16 home games this season. MSU had a total of 91,026 fans pass through the gates. This is the 14th-straight season that the Spartans have been ranked in the top 15 nationally in attendance. MSU has had a total attendance of at least 80,000 since 2005-06.
TV TIME
Big Ten schools will be featured on national television at least 78 times during the 2018-19 season. BTN will televise at least 69 games and ESPN2 will carry nine contests. In addition, for the fifth consecutive year, every Big Ten women's basketball conference game, including 126 regular-season contests and all 13 Big Ten Tournament games, will be produced and distributed by BTN, BTN Plus or an ESPN network. During the 2018-19 season at least 12 Michigan State women's basketball games will be televised on either the ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network. MSU will also have seven regular-season home contests aired on BTN Plus.
COLLEY EARNS PRESEASON HONOR
To kickoff the beginning of Big Ten Women's Basketball Media Week, the conference released the Preseason Coaches and Media Polls, in addition to the preseason All-Big Ten teams. Michigan State redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley was earned Preseason All-Big Ten honors by the coaches.
Maryland was voted to finish first in both the coaches and the media polls, while Iowa was picked second in both. In the coaches poll, Michigan was voted third, while Minnesota earned the third spot in the media poll. Reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Megan Gustafson of Iowa was voted Preseason Player of the Year by both the coaches and the media.
Last season, Colley led the Spartans in scoring and was 23rd in the Big Ten, averaging 12.4 points per game. Colley was also tied for eighth in assists with 4.3 apg. In her first season with the Spartans, the guard also ended the season tied for fifth in steals with 1.9 spg.
UP NEXT
After the Spartans host Virginia on Nov. 28 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, MSU will remain at home to take on Texas Southern on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. MSU will then take on in-state foe Oakland on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
LAST TIME OUT
Behind career highs from freshmen Nia Clouden and Tory Ozment, the Michigan State women's basketball closed out the Cancun Challenge with a dominating 75-51 win over Kennesaw State.
With the win, Michigan State improved to 4-1 on the season, while Kennesaw State dropped to 2-5.
Clouden led MSU with a career-high 18 points to go along with six assists and two steals. Fellow freshman Ozment also had career high with 15 points, three steals and four rebounds. Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon had only three points, but added five assists and tied a career high with five steals. As a team, the Spartan defense was solid, tying a season high with 15 steals.
The Owls were led Alexis Poole who had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Postgame Notes vs. Kennesaw State
• Michigan State was able to spread the wealth against Kennesaw State with 11 players seeing the court. Freshman forward Kayla Belles made her Spartan debut with two points, one block and one steal. All three freshman (Clouden, Belles and Ozment) along with redshirt-freshman guard Claire Hendrickson scored.
• As a team, the Spartan defense was solid, tying a season high with 15 steals. Michigan State also had 15 steals against Wright State on Nov. 18. The Spartans have reached double-digits in steals in four of five games this season.
• MSU is now 4-2 all time in the Cancun Challenge (formerly know as the Caribbean Classic). In 2011, the Spartans defeated both Northern Illinois and Kansas State. In 2007, the Spartans defeated Colorado State and fell to Pittsburgh.
WELCOME TO SPARTAN NATION - SIGNING DAY
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of five National Letters of Intent, including Julia Ayrault (Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan/Grosse Pointe North), Cydni Dodd (Indianapolis, Indiana/Warren Central), Moira Joiner (Saginaw, Michigan/Heritage), Taiyier Parks (Cleveland, Ohio/North Royalton) and Alyza Winston (Muskegon, Michigan/ Muskegon). The class was ranked No. 6 by ESPNW Hoop Gurlz as of Nov. 15.
Ayrault is a 6-2 guard who plays for head coach Gary Bennett at Grosse Pointe North High School in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan and played AAU basketball for Rob Ruhstorfer and the Michigan Mystics. Ayrault is currently ranked No. 14 in her position and No. 75 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Last season, she averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game and led Grosse Pointe North to the Class A Final Four. Ayrault set program records of scoring 497 points scored in a season.
Dodd is a 6-5 center who plays for head coach Stacy Mitchell at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana and AAU basketball for Danny Riego and the Indiana Gym Rats EYBL. She is currently ranked No. 14 in her position and No. 84 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, Dodd averaged 11.0 points, 6.6. rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game on 70 percent shooting from the field. Dodd was named to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Underclass Large School All-State team.
Joiner is a 5-10 guard who plays for head coach Vonnie Delong at Heritage High School in Saginaw, Michigan and played AAU basketball for Jeff Taylor and the Michigan Storm. She is ranked No. 13 in her position and No. 57 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Joiner is a three-time Associated Press All-State honoree. In 2018, she led Heritage to the Class A state championship, averaging 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 4.0 steals. Joiner was also named the Associated Press Class A Player of the Year. The three-time captain earned the Army National Guard Team award last season.
Parks is a 6-2 forward who plays for head coach Matt Stricker at North Royalton High School in North Royalton, Ohio and played AAU basketball for Andre Gault and the SMAC. She is ranked No. 11 in her position and No. 93 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, she averaged 19.0 points to go along with 16.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 3.0 blocks per game. She earned first-team All-Conference honors as both a freshman and a junior.
Winston is a 5-7 guard who plays for head coach Rodney Walker at Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan, which is the same high school that produced current Spartan Mardrekia Cook. Winston also played AAU basketball for Monique Brown and Michigan Crossover EYBL. Winston is ranked No. 18 in her position and No. 70 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Last season, she led the Big Reds to the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history. As a junior, she averaged 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists per game.
In Cancun, the Spartans lost a close-battle to No. 13 NC State, 78-74, before defeating Kennesaw State, 75-51. Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon earned all-tournament honors after scoring 16 points against NCSU and tying a career-high with five steals against KSU. The Spartans will play two games at home as the calendar moves from November to December. After MSU hosts Virginia, it will take on Texas Southern at the Breslin Center on Dec. 2.
• This is the 12th season of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Both the Spartans and the Cavaliers hold 5-6 records in the Challenge. Last season, MSU fell to Miami on the road, 67-57. This is MSU's first Challenge game at home since losing to Louisville in 2015.
• Freshman guard Nia Clouden had a standout performance in win over Kennesaw State at the Cancun Challenge. The rookie had a season-high 18 points along with six assists in 32 minutes against the Owls.
• This is only the second meeting between the Spartans and the Cavaliers. The only other meeting took place in Miami, Florida when Virginia defeated Michigan State, 91-74, in 1990.
• In the Cancun Challenge, the Spartans compiled similar numbers with 38 rebounds in both games.
SCOUTING VIRGINIA
The Cavaliers tote a 2-4 record to East Lansing for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge showdown with the Spartans. Virginia is coming off a three-game week, having played NC A&T (W, 67-57) last Tuesday, followed by back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday against Central Michigan (L, 74-61) and Saint Louis (L, 67-65) in the Cavalier Classic. This is Virginia's second game in a four-day span against a team from the Great Lakes State after playing Central Michigan on Saturday at home.
Virginia is 5-6 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, having lost its last five games in the series, after winning its first three and five of its first six Challenge games. UVA's last win was a 90-68 victory at Minnesota in 2012.
In the loss to Saint Louis, Virginia had a seven-point lead with 3:09 left at 65-58, but the Cavaliers didn't score again, as the Billikens tied the game with 1:08 to play and netted what proved to be the game-winning basket with 12.3 seconds to go. UVA got a shot off with four seconds left, but it was off the mark and SLU rebounded to secure the win. A pair of junior guards posted double-doubles for the Cavaliers as Jocelyn Willoughby tallied 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Dominique Toussaint netted 10 points and dished out 10 assists.
Toussaint leads UVA in scoring with 12.3 points per game, adding 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, while Willoughby adds 10.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. junior center Felicia Aiyeotan leads the Cavaliers with 9.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, while freshman guard Erica Martinsen tops the team in 3-point shooting at 38.7 percent (12-of-31).
UVA head coach Tina Thompson, a former WNBA All-Star, as well as a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Hall of Fame member, is in her first season at the helm of the Cavalier program. She has a 2-4 record in her first season as a collegiate head coach.
ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE HISTORY
Michigan State will be playing the 12th annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Overall, the Spartans hold a 5-6 record in the ACC/B1G Challenge. This is the first time that MSU and Virginia have met in the Challenge.
Last year's Challenge was one of the most competitive in the history of the event, with 10 of the 14 games decided by 10 points or fewer, including four games decided by one point, with the ACC ultimately prevailing by a 10-4 count. Last year, Maryland, Penn State, Rutgers and Wisconsin registered wins for the Big Ten.
In 2014, Michigan State came-from-behind to capture a 79-73 overtime win against Georgia Tech on Dec. 4. In 2015, Louisville came out fast and despite a second-half comeback by MSU, the Cardinals captured the win, 85-78. In 2016, the Spartans traveled to No. 21 Syracuse, falling to the Orange in the Carrier Dome, 75-64. Last year, Michigan State lost to Miami in Coral Gables, 67-57, behind a game-high 14 points from Taryn McCutcheon.
ACC/B1G Challenge History
2017 - Miami 67, MSU 57
2016 - Syracuse 75, MSU 64
2015 - Louisville 85, MSU 78
2014 - MSU 79, Georgia Tech 73 (OT)
2013 - Florida State 60, MSU 58
2012 - MSU 68, N.C. State 51
2011 - Miami 76, MSU 60
2010 - MSU 72, Florida State 64
2009 - MSU 72, North Carolina 66
2008 - Georgia Tech 57, MSU 50
2007 - MSU 68, Clemson 51
Bold = home games
FACING TWO OR MORE ACC TEAMS IN SAME SEASON
After facing NC State last week in Cancun and Virginia on Wednesday in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, this marks the second-straight season and the seventh time under head coach Suzy Merchant that the Spartans have faced two or more teams from the ACC in the same season, including the fifth time in seven years.
2018-19 (2) | NC State / Virginia ^
2017-18 (2) | Miami ^ / Notre Dame
2014-15 (2) | Notre Dame / Georgia Tech ^
2013-14 (3) | Notre Dame / FSU ^ / Virginia Tech
2012-13 (3) | Virginia Tech / NC State ^ / Maryland $&
2008-09 (2) | Georgia Tech ^ / Duke $
2007-08 (2) | Clemson ^ / NC State @
^ = Big Ten/ACC Challenge
@ = WNIT
$ = NCAA Tournament
& = Maryland was in ACC from 1953 until joining B1G in 2014
MERCHANT HONORED WITH ATHENA AWARD
Michigan State head women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant has been named the recipient of the 2018 ATHENA Leadership award, as announced by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce on Monday. The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive towards the highest levels of professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community, and who pave paths for other women to follow.
DID YOU KNOW?
Michigan State held Kennesaw State to only low six points in the second quarter on Nov. 23. The tied the least amount of point allowed by MSU in the second quarter. MSU also gave up only six points against Indiana on Dec. 28, 2017.
FABULOUS FRESHMEN
Against Kennesaw State, all three true freshman scored at least two points. Kayla Belles saw her first action of the season with two points to go along with three boards. Fellow freshman Tory Ozment had a breakout performance with 15 points, going 5-10 from the field. Nia Clouden also had a season high with 18 points against the Owls.
SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are now 32-15 in season openers, but 24-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 9-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 15 of her last 18, including her time at Eastern Michigan.
MCCUTCHEON MAKING HER MARK
With five assists against Kennesaw State, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon tied Spartan great Lindsay Bowen (2002-06) for ninth in career helpers with 371 in just three seasons. She is currently third in the Big Ten and 32nd in the nation in assists per game, averaging 5.8 apg.
BOUNCE BACK ABILITY
In Coach Merchant's first 12 seasons, the Spartans are 76-31 (71.0%) following a loss.
CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 178 of their last 188 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 129 of their last 140. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 213-16 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 4-0
IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
The Spartans are 119-39 (75.3%) all-time in the month of November. Under Coach Merchant, Michigan State is 59-11 (84.3%) in November, with seven of the 10 losses coming against top-10 opponents. The Spartans have won 33 of their last 38 in the month.
SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is currently 32nd in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 5.8 apg. She is also 12th in the country and first in the league in steals per game, averaging 3.8 spg. She has tied her career-high of five steals twice this season.
As a team, MSU is 17th in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assist per game, averaging 19.2. Iowa is first in the nation and the league with 25.0 apg. The Spartans are also 44th in country and first in the Big Ten in steals per game made with 11.4 spg.
MAGIC NUMBERS
In head coach Suzy Merchant's tenure, when two numbers on the scoreboard were achieved it typically has been a sign of a MSU win. Overall, MSU has scored at least 70 points in all five games this season. MSU has won 123 of its last 137 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 140-21 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 4-1 when scoring at least 70 with a loss to No. 13 NC State on Nov. 22.
FREQUENT FLIER
Redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley spent time overseas this summer playing for the Canadian National Team. Playing in Europe, Colley helped guide Canada to the quarterfinals of the FIBA Women's World Cup.
FANS CONTINUE TO PACK THE BRESLIN
Michigan State women's basketball continues to pack the Breslin Center, finishing the 2017-18 season 10th in the nation and second in the Big Ten home attendance. The Spartans averaged 5,689 fans in 16 home games this season. MSU had a total of 91,026 fans pass through the gates. This is the 14th-straight season that the Spartans have been ranked in the top 15 nationally in attendance. MSU has had a total attendance of at least 80,000 since 2005-06.
TV TIME
Big Ten schools will be featured on national television at least 78 times during the 2018-19 season. BTN will televise at least 69 games and ESPN2 will carry nine contests. In addition, for the fifth consecutive year, every Big Ten women's basketball conference game, including 126 regular-season contests and all 13 Big Ten Tournament games, will be produced and distributed by BTN, BTN Plus or an ESPN network. During the 2018-19 season at least 12 Michigan State women's basketball games will be televised on either the ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network. MSU will also have seven regular-season home contests aired on BTN Plus.
COLLEY EARNS PRESEASON HONOR
To kickoff the beginning of Big Ten Women's Basketball Media Week, the conference released the Preseason Coaches and Media Polls, in addition to the preseason All-Big Ten teams. Michigan State redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley was earned Preseason All-Big Ten honors by the coaches.
Maryland was voted to finish first in both the coaches and the media polls, while Iowa was picked second in both. In the coaches poll, Michigan was voted third, while Minnesota earned the third spot in the media poll. Reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Megan Gustafson of Iowa was voted Preseason Player of the Year by both the coaches and the media.
Last season, Colley led the Spartans in scoring and was 23rd in the Big Ten, averaging 12.4 points per game. Colley was also tied for eighth in assists with 4.3 apg. In her first season with the Spartans, the guard also ended the season tied for fifth in steals with 1.9 spg.
UP NEXT
After the Spartans host Virginia on Nov. 28 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, MSU will remain at home to take on Texas Southern on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. MSU will then take on in-state foe Oakland on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
LAST TIME OUT
Behind career highs from freshmen Nia Clouden and Tory Ozment, the Michigan State women's basketball closed out the Cancun Challenge with a dominating 75-51 win over Kennesaw State.
With the win, Michigan State improved to 4-1 on the season, while Kennesaw State dropped to 2-5.
Clouden led MSU with a career-high 18 points to go along with six assists and two steals. Fellow freshman Ozment also had career high with 15 points, three steals and four rebounds. Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon had only three points, but added five assists and tied a career high with five steals. As a team, the Spartan defense was solid, tying a season high with 15 steals.
The Owls were led Alexis Poole who had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Postgame Notes vs. Kennesaw State
• Michigan State was able to spread the wealth against Kennesaw State with 11 players seeing the court. Freshman forward Kayla Belles made her Spartan debut with two points, one block and one steal. All three freshman (Clouden, Belles and Ozment) along with redshirt-freshman guard Claire Hendrickson scored.
• As a team, the Spartan defense was solid, tying a season high with 15 steals. Michigan State also had 15 steals against Wright State on Nov. 18. The Spartans have reached double-digits in steals in four of five games this season.
• MSU is now 4-2 all time in the Cancun Challenge (formerly know as the Caribbean Classic). In 2011, the Spartans defeated both Northern Illinois and Kansas State. In 2007, the Spartans defeated Colorado State and fell to Pittsburgh.
WELCOME TO SPARTAN NATION - SIGNING DAY
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of five National Letters of Intent, including Julia Ayrault (Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan/Grosse Pointe North), Cydni Dodd (Indianapolis, Indiana/Warren Central), Moira Joiner (Saginaw, Michigan/Heritage), Taiyier Parks (Cleveland, Ohio/North Royalton) and Alyza Winston (Muskegon, Michigan/ Muskegon). The class was ranked No. 6 by ESPNW Hoop Gurlz as of Nov. 15.
Ayrault is a 6-2 guard who plays for head coach Gary Bennett at Grosse Pointe North High School in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan and played AAU basketball for Rob Ruhstorfer and the Michigan Mystics. Ayrault is currently ranked No. 14 in her position and No. 75 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Last season, she averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game and led Grosse Pointe North to the Class A Final Four. Ayrault set program records of scoring 497 points scored in a season.
Dodd is a 6-5 center who plays for head coach Stacy Mitchell at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana and AAU basketball for Danny Riego and the Indiana Gym Rats EYBL. She is currently ranked No. 14 in her position and No. 84 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, Dodd averaged 11.0 points, 6.6. rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game on 70 percent shooting from the field. Dodd was named to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Underclass Large School All-State team.
Joiner is a 5-10 guard who plays for head coach Vonnie Delong at Heritage High School in Saginaw, Michigan and played AAU basketball for Jeff Taylor and the Michigan Storm. She is ranked No. 13 in her position and No. 57 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Joiner is a three-time Associated Press All-State honoree. In 2018, she led Heritage to the Class A state championship, averaging 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 4.0 steals. Joiner was also named the Associated Press Class A Player of the Year. The three-time captain earned the Army National Guard Team award last season.
Parks is a 6-2 forward who plays for head coach Matt Stricker at North Royalton High School in North Royalton, Ohio and played AAU basketball for Andre Gault and the SMAC. She is ranked No. 11 in her position and No. 93 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, she averaged 19.0 points to go along with 16.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 3.0 blocks per game. She earned first-team All-Conference honors as both a freshman and a junior.
Winston is a 5-7 guard who plays for head coach Rodney Walker at Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan, which is the same high school that produced current Spartan Mardrekia Cook. Winston also played AAU basketball for Monique Brown and Michigan Crossover EYBL. Winston is ranked No. 18 in her position and No. 70 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Last season, she led the Big Reds to the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history. As a junior, she averaged 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists per game.
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Sunday, March 16
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Tuesday, March 04
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Sunday, March 02
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Saturday, March 01