Sunday, December 11
Columbus, Ohio
4 PM
Michigan State University
at
#3/4 Ohio State
Spartan Women's Basketball Travels to No. 3/4 Ohio State Sunday
12/10/2022 9:12:00 AM | Women's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball will begin Big Ten Conference road play on Sunday, Dec. 11 against No. 3/3 Ohio State at Value City Arena. Tip off time is set for 4 p.m. on the Big Ten Network with Matt Schumacker and Naz Hillmon calling the action. The Spartans are looking to snap a four-game losing streak.
• The Spartans hold a 6-4 overall record this season and are 0-1 in league play. Ohio State come in to the battle with a perfect 9-0 record and are 1-0 in league contests.
• Michigan State forced 30 turnovers against Purdue on Dec. 5. The Spartans are now 13th in the nation in turnover margin (+8.9).
• Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel scored 22 points against Purdue, marking her third consecutive game with 20-or-more points. The most recent instance of a Spartan booking 20-or-more in three-straight games was Nia Clouden a year ago in a stretch against Maryland (22 points, Feb. 3), Minnesota (29 points, Feb. 6) and Michigan (20 points, Feb. 10).
• Michigan State is now 20-21 in Big Ten openers, having won seven of their 12. MSU is 9-7 in league openers in Coach Merchant's 16 seasons after losing to Iowa in last season's league opener. During the 2020-21 season, the Spartans won their opener in Minneapolis, 81-68 over the Gophers.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
No. 3/4 Ohio State is off to a hot start this season with a 9-0 overall record and a 1-0 start to Big Ten action. Last time out, the Buckeyes earned a dominating 92-36 home win over New Hampshire. OSU is 5-0 at home and 4-0 in away games. The Buckeyes started the season with a huge home win against Tennessee, 87-75. They also have road wins against Louisville and Rutgers.
Ohio State is first in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 92.7 points per game and are also first in scoring margin (+32.7). The Buckeyes are tough on defense, standing first in the nation in turnover margin (+14.8) and turnovers forced per game (23.9). Offensively, OSU is first in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.513) and assists (21.3 apg).
Individually, Ohio State has five players averaging in double figures led by Taylor Mikesell, who is scoring 19.2 points per game. She is currently fifth in the league in scoring. Rebeka Mikulasikova is having a stellar season standing eighth in the B1G in scoring with 18.3 ppg and 17th in rebounding with 6.0 rpg. Madison Greene and Cotie McMahon are tied for second in the conference in steals, averaging 2.56 spg.
OSU head coach Kevin McGuff is in his 10th year steering the Buckeye program, posting a 153-92 record. Overall, McGuff is in his 21st year as a collegiate head coach with a 408-191 record. He led the Buckeyes back to the Sweet 16 last season after winning a share of the regular season Big Ten title.
SERIES HISTORY VS. BUCKEYES
Ohio State leads the overall series with Michigan State 59-29, including leading 25-11 in Columbus. OSU had dominated the series of late winning six of the last seven meetings. The last Michigan State win came on Jan. 16, 2020 when the Spartans came away with a 68-65 victory.
The teams met twice last season with the Buckeyes winning both games. On Senior Day in East Lansing on Feb. 27, Michigan State battled hard, but OSU took the victory, 61-55. One week later, the squads met again in the Big Ten Tournament. Ohio State had a dominating performance, winning 74-58.
BIG TEN OPENERS
Michigan State is 20-21 in Big Ten openers, having won seven of their 12. MSU is 9-7 in league openers in Coach Merchant's 16 seasons after losing to Iowa in last season's league opener. During the 2020-21 season, the Spartans won their opener in Minneapolis, 81-68 over the Gophers.
GABBY GETS IT DONE
Junior guard Gabby Elliott was a key part of MSU's regulation comeback against Purdue. She reached double figures for the fifth time this season, also the fifth time in her career, with a 13- point outing that featured all 13 points coming in the fourth quarter and overtime. Overall this season, she is third on the team in scoring, averaging 9.3 ppg.
CLOSE CALLS
During the Spartans four-game losing streak, three of the four loses have come by a margin of eight points or less. On Nov. 27, MSU fell to No. 18/18 Oregon, 86-78. MSU lost to Georgia Tech on Dec. 1, 66-63, before falling in overtime to Purdue on Dec. 5, 76-71.
LAST TIME VS OHIO STATE
No. 8-seeded Michigan State had its Big Ten Tournament run come to an end against top-seeded Ohio State, 74-58, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on March 4. The Spartans fought to overcome a 20-point first half deficit.
Matilda Ekh led all scorers with 21 points, while also added seven rebounds, just one shy of her career high. Senior guard Nia Clouden did not have her typical shooting night with only seven points, but added a team-high eight assists and six rebounds. Clouden ended her storied career with 1,882 points and 449 assists.
STOPPING THE STREAK
The Spartans are looking to snap their four-game losing streak. The last time that Michigan State had a streak that long was a five-game skid from Jan. 23, 2020 to Feb. 10, 2020.
FACING THE TOP DOGS
The game against No. 3/4 Ohio State will be the second top-10 game for Michigan State this season. On Nov. 24, the Spartans fell to No. 5/4 Iowa State, 80-49, in Portland. Last season, MSU went 1-2 against top-10 foes with a win No. 4/4 over Michigan (Feb. 24) and losses to No. 9/11 Iowa (Dec. 5) and No. 7/7 Indiana (Feb. 12).
FREQUENT FLYER
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh returned to the lineup for the Spartans against Oregon on Nov. 27. After playing against Central Michigan on Nov. 19, Ekh traveled to Sweden for a National Team game against Israel. She arrived in Portland on Friday and scored 14 points for the Spartans against Oregon on Nov. 25. She also scored 14 points against Georgia Tech on Dec. 1 and 12 against Purdue on Dec. 5.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. PURDUE
• The Green & White participated in their first overtime contest since Dec. 20, 2021, in which the Spartans fell to Florida Gulf Coast, 85-84, despite a 50-piece from 2022 WNBA first round draft pick Nia Clouden.
• In MSU's most recent overtime game in Big Ten play, the Spartans published a 78-70 win against Nebraska in its league opener on Dec. 31, 2019. MSU trailed by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, but chipped away at the deficit to book the overtime win.
DID YOU KNOW?
Kamaria McDaniel scored 22 points in Monday's contest, marking her third consecutive game with 20-or-more points. The most recent instance of a Spartan booking 20-or-more in three -straight games was Nia Clouden a year ago in a stretch against Maryland (22 points, Feb. 3), Minnesota (29 points, Feb. 6) and Michigan (20 points, Feb. 10).
KMAC ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel netted 28 points against No. 18/18 Oregon on Nov. 27, not only posting her first 20-point outing of the season, but doubling her previous season-high of 14, tallied three times, most recently vs. Florida A&M (11/17). McDaniel's 28 points is the most by an MSU player this season, as well as the Spartans' second 20-point scorer this season, joining 20 points by Matilda Ekh vs. Western Michigan (11/13). She now has three-straight 20-point games with 22 against Purdue on Dec. 5. McDaniel also registered her sixth-straight double-figure game and has posted 10+ points in eight of the 10 games this season.
MO THREES
Senior guard Moira Joiner has had a resurgence since returning from concussion symptoms that shortened her 2021-22 season. In nine games this season, she has averaged 8.2 points per game. Against Central Michigan on Nov. 19, she scored a season-high 17 points. She also tied her career high with five made 3-pointers. She also made five treys against Rutgers on Jan. 20, 2020 and Northwestern on Jan. 23, 2020, which were back-to-back games.
Against Oregon, Joiner had a double-seven game with seven points and seven rebounds. Joiner's seven rebounds is a new season-high, bettering her previous top mark of the season of five, done twice, last vs. Florida A&M (11/17). She now has snared three or more rebounds in eight of the last 10 games.
DOING IT ALL
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh has been doing it all for MSU. Against Georgia Tech not only did she score 14 points, but she also shattered her season high in boards and matched her career high with a game-best eight rebounds. Her tally on the glass matched her effort against the Marshall Thundering Herd from Nov. 30, 2021. She has now scored in double figures six times this season.
ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE HISTORY
This season, Michigan State played in the 15th ACC/Big Ten Challenge, falling to Georgia Tech, 66-63. This was the third time that MSU faced GT in the Challenge with a 1-2 record. Last season, MSU fell to 6-8 overall after a 76-71 loss to No. 24/25 Notre Dame. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there was no Challenge during the 2020-21 season. During the 2019-20 season, MSU lost to No. 8 Florida State, 78-68.
BALANCED ATTACK
Without All-American Nia Clouden to dominate the box score this season, the Spartans are looking for a more balanced attack. In 10 games this season, Michigan State has spread out the scoring. Senior forward Taiyier Parks led in scoring with a career-high 18 against Purdue Fort Wayne. Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh was atop the score sheet with 20 against Western Michigan and 16 against Florida A&M. Three players led MSU in scoring against Central Michigan with sophomore forward Isaline Alexander, junior guard Gabby Elliott and senior guard Moira Joiner all scored 17 points. Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel scored 22 points against Purdue for her third-straight 20-point game.
TOPPING THE CHARTS
Michigan State is among the Big Ten's leaders early on this season. The Spartans are currently fourth in the B1G in scoring margin (+22.3) and third in scoring defense (58.4 ppg). MSU is also fourth in rebound margin (+6.3) and third in steals (12.3 apg).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is third in the Big Ten in 3-point field percentage, shooting .390. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands fourth in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ration (2.67). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 15th in the league in scoring, averaging 15.1 ppg.
AROUND THE NATION
This season, Michigan State is 14th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 18.7, behind Ohio State (21.3 apg). MSU is also 18th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in scoring margin (+22.3).
SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are 35-15 in season openers, but 28-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 13-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 19 of her last 22, including her time at Eastern Michigan. Last season, the Spartans earned a dominating 86-37 win over Delaware State on Nov. 7.
UP NEXT
After taking a break for finals week, Michigan State will return to the friendly confines of the Breslin Center to round on non-conference action. The Spartans will host Detroit Mercy on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. Before taking break for the Holidays, MSU will face Prairie View A&M on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.
TITLE IX CELEBRATION
Throughout the season, Michigan State will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX. MSU Athletics kicked off its year-round celebration on June 23, 2022. While the work in advancing women's athletics is not complete, the Spartans will celebrate the advancements that have been made in the last 50 years.
LEGENDARY SPARTAN
Former Michigan State women's basketball guard Nia Clouden was drafted 12th in the first round by the Connecticut Sun at the 2022 WNBA Draft. Clouden was the 12th Big Ten student-athlete drafted by the Sun franchise (which began as the Orlando Miracle from 1999-2002). Clouden, an Owings Mills, Maryland native, became the eighth Spartan to be selected in the WNBA draft. Tori Jankoska was the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Chicago Sky, while Aerial Powers was the fifth overall pick in 2016 going to the Dallas Wings.
Maxann Reese and Kristen Rasmussen were the first Spartans selected in the WNBA, drafted in 2000. Reese was taken in the third round, while Rasmussen was selected in the fourth. In 2003, Syreeta Broomfield was drafted in the third round. In 2005, Kristin Haynie was the ninth overall pick by Sacramento, while Liz Shimek was taken in the second round by Phoenix in 2006.
SPARTANS: THE NEW CLASS
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of two National Letters of Intent on Thursday, including Jordan Wood (Chicago, Illinois/Carmel Catholic High School) and Bree Robinson (Mississauga, Ontario/ Webb School).
Wood is a 6-4 forward, who is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She attends Carmel Catholic High School and is coached by Ben Berg. Wood is currently ranked No. 62 in the ESPNW HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. As a junior, she scored 1,000 points, as well as leading the Corsairs to a Class 3A Illinois State Championship. Last season, she averaged 14.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while also leading the team in assists (3.2 apg). She is a three-time All-East Suburban Catholic Conference and All-Area honoree, as well as capturing First-Team All-State accolades. Wood played AAU for Midwest Elite, competing on the EYBL Nike National circuit for coach Ralph Gesuado.
Robinson is a 5-8 guard, who is a native of Mississauga, Ontario, plays for head coach Matthew Shewmake at the Webb School (Tenn.). She helped lead the Webb school to a Tennessee State Championship, earning First-Team All-District 3 honors in the process. She also has a vast amount of international experience playing for Team Canada. She was the captain for Team Canada, playing in the U16 FIBA Americas in 2021, capturing a silver medal. She was also named Canletes 2022 All Canadian Player of the Year. She played for AAU Become One, competing on the GUAA Under Armour circuit for coach Handel Kipp.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 244 of its last 257 games (.949) when leading with five minutes left, including 194 of their last 209. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 278-21 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 6-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
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. The Green & White have won 176 of their last 208 games (.846) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 196-43 (.820) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 6-2 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans have losses to Oregon and Purdue went reaching the 70-point mark.
• The Spartans hold a 6-4 overall record this season and are 0-1 in league play. Ohio State come in to the battle with a perfect 9-0 record and are 1-0 in league contests.
• Michigan State forced 30 turnovers against Purdue on Dec. 5. The Spartans are now 13th in the nation in turnover margin (+8.9).
• Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel scored 22 points against Purdue, marking her third consecutive game with 20-or-more points. The most recent instance of a Spartan booking 20-or-more in three-straight games was Nia Clouden a year ago in a stretch against Maryland (22 points, Feb. 3), Minnesota (29 points, Feb. 6) and Michigan (20 points, Feb. 10).
• Michigan State is now 20-21 in Big Ten openers, having won seven of their 12. MSU is 9-7 in league openers in Coach Merchant's 16 seasons after losing to Iowa in last season's league opener. During the 2020-21 season, the Spartans won their opener in Minneapolis, 81-68 over the Gophers.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
No. 3/4 Ohio State is off to a hot start this season with a 9-0 overall record and a 1-0 start to Big Ten action. Last time out, the Buckeyes earned a dominating 92-36 home win over New Hampshire. OSU is 5-0 at home and 4-0 in away games. The Buckeyes started the season with a huge home win against Tennessee, 87-75. They also have road wins against Louisville and Rutgers.
Ohio State is first in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 92.7 points per game and are also first in scoring margin (+32.7). The Buckeyes are tough on defense, standing first in the nation in turnover margin (+14.8) and turnovers forced per game (23.9). Offensively, OSU is first in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.513) and assists (21.3 apg).
Individually, Ohio State has five players averaging in double figures led by Taylor Mikesell, who is scoring 19.2 points per game. She is currently fifth in the league in scoring. Rebeka Mikulasikova is having a stellar season standing eighth in the B1G in scoring with 18.3 ppg and 17th in rebounding with 6.0 rpg. Madison Greene and Cotie McMahon are tied for second in the conference in steals, averaging 2.56 spg.
OSU head coach Kevin McGuff is in his 10th year steering the Buckeye program, posting a 153-92 record. Overall, McGuff is in his 21st year as a collegiate head coach with a 408-191 record. He led the Buckeyes back to the Sweet 16 last season after winning a share of the regular season Big Ten title.
SERIES HISTORY VS. BUCKEYES
Ohio State leads the overall series with Michigan State 59-29, including leading 25-11 in Columbus. OSU had dominated the series of late winning six of the last seven meetings. The last Michigan State win came on Jan. 16, 2020 when the Spartans came away with a 68-65 victory.
The teams met twice last season with the Buckeyes winning both games. On Senior Day in East Lansing on Feb. 27, Michigan State battled hard, but OSU took the victory, 61-55. One week later, the squads met again in the Big Ten Tournament. Ohio State had a dominating performance, winning 74-58.
BIG TEN OPENERS
Michigan State is 20-21 in Big Ten openers, having won seven of their 12. MSU is 9-7 in league openers in Coach Merchant's 16 seasons after losing to Iowa in last season's league opener. During the 2020-21 season, the Spartans won their opener in Minneapolis, 81-68 over the Gophers.
GABBY GETS IT DONE
Junior guard Gabby Elliott was a key part of MSU's regulation comeback against Purdue. She reached double figures for the fifth time this season, also the fifth time in her career, with a 13- point outing that featured all 13 points coming in the fourth quarter and overtime. Overall this season, she is third on the team in scoring, averaging 9.3 ppg.
CLOSE CALLS
During the Spartans four-game losing streak, three of the four loses have come by a margin of eight points or less. On Nov. 27, MSU fell to No. 18/18 Oregon, 86-78. MSU lost to Georgia Tech on Dec. 1, 66-63, before falling in overtime to Purdue on Dec. 5, 76-71.
LAST TIME VS OHIO STATE
No. 8-seeded Michigan State had its Big Ten Tournament run come to an end against top-seeded Ohio State, 74-58, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on March 4. The Spartans fought to overcome a 20-point first half deficit.
Matilda Ekh led all scorers with 21 points, while also added seven rebounds, just one shy of her career high. Senior guard Nia Clouden did not have her typical shooting night with only seven points, but added a team-high eight assists and six rebounds. Clouden ended her storied career with 1,882 points and 449 assists.
STOPPING THE STREAK
The Spartans are looking to snap their four-game losing streak. The last time that Michigan State had a streak that long was a five-game skid from Jan. 23, 2020 to Feb. 10, 2020.
FACING THE TOP DOGS
The game against No. 3/4 Ohio State will be the second top-10 game for Michigan State this season. On Nov. 24, the Spartans fell to No. 5/4 Iowa State, 80-49, in Portland. Last season, MSU went 1-2 against top-10 foes with a win No. 4/4 over Michigan (Feb. 24) and losses to No. 9/11 Iowa (Dec. 5) and No. 7/7 Indiana (Feb. 12).
FREQUENT FLYER
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh returned to the lineup for the Spartans against Oregon on Nov. 27. After playing against Central Michigan on Nov. 19, Ekh traveled to Sweden for a National Team game against Israel. She arrived in Portland on Friday and scored 14 points for the Spartans against Oregon on Nov. 25. She also scored 14 points against Georgia Tech on Dec. 1 and 12 against Purdue on Dec. 5.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. PURDUE
• The Green & White participated in their first overtime contest since Dec. 20, 2021, in which the Spartans fell to Florida Gulf Coast, 85-84, despite a 50-piece from 2022 WNBA first round draft pick Nia Clouden.
• In MSU's most recent overtime game in Big Ten play, the Spartans published a 78-70 win against Nebraska in its league opener on Dec. 31, 2019. MSU trailed by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, but chipped away at the deficit to book the overtime win.
DID YOU KNOW?
Kamaria McDaniel scored 22 points in Monday's contest, marking her third consecutive game with 20-or-more points. The most recent instance of a Spartan booking 20-or-more in three -straight games was Nia Clouden a year ago in a stretch against Maryland (22 points, Feb. 3), Minnesota (29 points, Feb. 6) and Michigan (20 points, Feb. 10).
KMAC ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel netted 28 points against No. 18/18 Oregon on Nov. 27, not only posting her first 20-point outing of the season, but doubling her previous season-high of 14, tallied three times, most recently vs. Florida A&M (11/17). McDaniel's 28 points is the most by an MSU player this season, as well as the Spartans' second 20-point scorer this season, joining 20 points by Matilda Ekh vs. Western Michigan (11/13). She now has three-straight 20-point games with 22 against Purdue on Dec. 5. McDaniel also registered her sixth-straight double-figure game and has posted 10+ points in eight of the 10 games this season.
MO THREES
Senior guard Moira Joiner has had a resurgence since returning from concussion symptoms that shortened her 2021-22 season. In nine games this season, she has averaged 8.2 points per game. Against Central Michigan on Nov. 19, she scored a season-high 17 points. She also tied her career high with five made 3-pointers. She also made five treys against Rutgers on Jan. 20, 2020 and Northwestern on Jan. 23, 2020, which were back-to-back games.
Against Oregon, Joiner had a double-seven game with seven points and seven rebounds. Joiner's seven rebounds is a new season-high, bettering her previous top mark of the season of five, done twice, last vs. Florida A&M (11/17). She now has snared three or more rebounds in eight of the last 10 games.
DOING IT ALL
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh has been doing it all for MSU. Against Georgia Tech not only did she score 14 points, but she also shattered her season high in boards and matched her career high with a game-best eight rebounds. Her tally on the glass matched her effort against the Marshall Thundering Herd from Nov. 30, 2021. She has now scored in double figures six times this season.
ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE HISTORY
This season, Michigan State played in the 15th ACC/Big Ten Challenge, falling to Georgia Tech, 66-63. This was the third time that MSU faced GT in the Challenge with a 1-2 record. Last season, MSU fell to 6-8 overall after a 76-71 loss to No. 24/25 Notre Dame. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there was no Challenge during the 2020-21 season. During the 2019-20 season, MSU lost to No. 8 Florida State, 78-68.
BALANCED ATTACK
Without All-American Nia Clouden to dominate the box score this season, the Spartans are looking for a more balanced attack. In 10 games this season, Michigan State has spread out the scoring. Senior forward Taiyier Parks led in scoring with a career-high 18 against Purdue Fort Wayne. Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh was atop the score sheet with 20 against Western Michigan and 16 against Florida A&M. Three players led MSU in scoring against Central Michigan with sophomore forward Isaline Alexander, junior guard Gabby Elliott and senior guard Moira Joiner all scored 17 points. Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel scored 22 points against Purdue for her third-straight 20-point game.
TOPPING THE CHARTS
Michigan State is among the Big Ten's leaders early on this season. The Spartans are currently fourth in the B1G in scoring margin (+22.3) and third in scoring defense (58.4 ppg). MSU is also fourth in rebound margin (+6.3) and third in steals (12.3 apg).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is third in the Big Ten in 3-point field percentage, shooting .390. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands fourth in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ration (2.67). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 15th in the league in scoring, averaging 15.1 ppg.
AROUND THE NATION
This season, Michigan State is 14th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 18.7, behind Ohio State (21.3 apg). MSU is also 18th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in scoring margin (+22.3).
SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are 35-15 in season openers, but 28-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 13-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 19 of her last 22, including her time at Eastern Michigan. Last season, the Spartans earned a dominating 86-37 win over Delaware State on Nov. 7.
UP NEXT
After taking a break for finals week, Michigan State will return to the friendly confines of the Breslin Center to round on non-conference action. The Spartans will host Detroit Mercy on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. Before taking break for the Holidays, MSU will face Prairie View A&M on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.
TITLE IX CELEBRATION
Throughout the season, Michigan State will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX. MSU Athletics kicked off its year-round celebration on June 23, 2022. While the work in advancing women's athletics is not complete, the Spartans will celebrate the advancements that have been made in the last 50 years.
LEGENDARY SPARTAN
Former Michigan State women's basketball guard Nia Clouden was drafted 12th in the first round by the Connecticut Sun at the 2022 WNBA Draft. Clouden was the 12th Big Ten student-athlete drafted by the Sun franchise (which began as the Orlando Miracle from 1999-2002). Clouden, an Owings Mills, Maryland native, became the eighth Spartan to be selected in the WNBA draft. Tori Jankoska was the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Chicago Sky, while Aerial Powers was the fifth overall pick in 2016 going to the Dallas Wings.
Maxann Reese and Kristen Rasmussen were the first Spartans selected in the WNBA, drafted in 2000. Reese was taken in the third round, while Rasmussen was selected in the fourth. In 2003, Syreeta Broomfield was drafted in the third round. In 2005, Kristin Haynie was the ninth overall pick by Sacramento, while Liz Shimek was taken in the second round by Phoenix in 2006.
SPARTANS: THE NEW CLASS
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of two National Letters of Intent on Thursday, including Jordan Wood (Chicago, Illinois/Carmel Catholic High School) and Bree Robinson (Mississauga, Ontario/ Webb School).
Wood is a 6-4 forward, who is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She attends Carmel Catholic High School and is coached by Ben Berg. Wood is currently ranked No. 62 in the ESPNW HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. As a junior, she scored 1,000 points, as well as leading the Corsairs to a Class 3A Illinois State Championship. Last season, she averaged 14.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while also leading the team in assists (3.2 apg). She is a three-time All-East Suburban Catholic Conference and All-Area honoree, as well as capturing First-Team All-State accolades. Wood played AAU for Midwest Elite, competing on the EYBL Nike National circuit for coach Ralph Gesuado.
Robinson is a 5-8 guard, who is a native of Mississauga, Ontario, plays for head coach Matthew Shewmake at the Webb School (Tenn.). She helped lead the Webb school to a Tennessee State Championship, earning First-Team All-District 3 honors in the process. She also has a vast amount of international experience playing for Team Canada. She was the captain for Team Canada, playing in the U16 FIBA Americas in 2021, capturing a silver medal. She was also named Canletes 2022 All Canadian Player of the Year. She played for AAU Become One, competing on the GUAA Under Armour circuit for coach Handel Kipp.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 244 of its last 257 games (.949) when leading with five minutes left, including 194 of their last 209. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 278-21 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 6-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
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. The Green & White have won 176 of their last 208 games (.846) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 196-43 (.820) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 6-2 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans have losses to Oregon and Purdue went reaching the 70-point mark.
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