The No. 6-seeded Michigan State women’s basketball team is gearing up to kick off the action in the TIAA Big Ten Tournament second round on Thursday, March 6 at 9 p.m. in Indianapolis. Their first opponent will be the No. 11-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes. The game will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network with Sloane Martin and Christy Winters Scott on the call.
Michigan State closed out the regular season with a solid 73-58 victory over Minnesota on March 1, bringing their overall record to 21-8 and a conference record of 11-7. Julia Ayrault and Grace VanSlooten received second-team honors, while Theryn Hallock secured an honorable mention spot on the All-Big Ten team.
The Spartans are on the verge of tying the program’s single-season steals record, with just 13 steals needed to match the 375-steal mark set by the 2004-05 team in 37 games. This is only the third time the Spartans have held the No. 6 seed, with the last instance occurring in 2017.
In their upcoming match against Iowa, Michigan State looks to avenge their 82-72 loss to the Hawkeyes in the 2021 tournament. Iowa, with a 20-9 overall record and 10-8 league play record, will provide a tough challenge for the Spartans.
Head coach Jan Jensen leads the Iowa team, succeeding the legendary Lisa Bluder. The series history between Michigan State and Iowa sees Iowa leading 43-31 overall, with MSU snapping a four-game losing streak against the Hawkeyes in their previous encounter.
Ranked within the AP top 25 poll, Michigan State is currently positioned at No. 24, standing as the fifth ranked Big Ten team behind UCLA, USC, Ohio State, and Maryland. A strong performance in the upcoming tournament could further solidify their position among the nation’s top teams.
With key players like Ayrault, VanSlooten, and Hallock leading the charge, Michigan State is poised to make a statement in the TIAA Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans’ balanced attack, defensive prowess, and endurance will be crucial factors in their quest for success on the court.
As they prepare to face Iowa in what promises to be a competitive match-up, Michigan State aims to showcase their talent, resilience, and determination in pursuit of tournament glory. Their journey in the Big Ten Tournament holds the promise of exciting basketball action and potential triumphs as they strive to etch their names in the annals of college basketball history.