Thursday, January 17
East Lansing, Mich.
6 PM ET
Michigan State University
vs
Maryland
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
No. 17 Spartan Women Host No. 9 Maryland in B1G Battle
1/16/2019 7:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MSU will play three games in seven days.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - No. 17/22 Michigan State returns to the friendly confines of the Breslin Center, taking on No. 9/9 Maryland on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network with Shelley Till and Mike Monaco on the call. The Spartans are 9-0 this season at home and have a 12-game home winning streak dating back to last year. Michigan State is currently 12-4 overall this season and 2-3 in league play. Maryland is 15-1 this season and 4-1 in B1G action.
• The win over No. 18 Minnesota on Jan. 9 was Michigan State's third home win over a ranked team, joining No. 3 Oregon (88-82 on Dec. 9) and No. 16 Iowa (84-70 on Dec. 30), marking the first time since the 2013-14 season that the Spartans have defeated three ranked teams at the Breslin Center. In 2013-14, MSU beat No. 23 Dayton, No. 16 Nebraska and No. 19 Purdue.
• The Spartans are now 9-0 this season at home this season and have a 12-game home winning streak dating back to last year.
• Michigan State is fifth in the nation and second in the Big Ten in assists per game, averaging 20.6 apg. The Spartans are also seventh in the nation and first in the B1G in 3-point field goal percentage (.396).
• Senior center Jenna Allen is climbing the charts, as she now has 930 career points. She is 70 points away from becoming the 27th Spartan to reach the 1,000-point mark.SCOUTING MARYLAND
Maryland is ranked No. 9 in both the Associated Press poll and in the USA Today Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll. Maryland is No. 6 in the country and leads the Big Ten in rebounding margin (+12.5). The Terps are eighth nationally in rebounds with 45.8 per game, while also standing fourth in defensive rebounds per game (31.0). UMD is also second in the league in scoring defense, allowing only 56.7 ppg. The tough Terps are also first in scoring margin in the conference (20.9), while Michigan State stands second (+15.1).
Taylor Mikesell leads the Big Ten with 50 threes made, while Channise Lewis leads the league in assists with 5.6. Freshman Shakira Austin is No. 5 in the country in total blocks (48) and needs five to break the Maryland freshman blocks record. Kaila Charles is fifth in the league in scoring, averaging 16.6 ppg, while Mikesell is 11th scoring 14.9 ppg.
Maryland head coach Brenda Frese earned her 500th career with an 81-63 victory at Nebraska on Jan. 8, 2019. She has a record of 501-150 (.770) over her 20-year coaching career.
SERIES HISTORY VS. MARYLAND
Michigan State trails the all-time series with Maryland 11-1. Last season, the Spartans earned their first-ever win over the Terrapins in College Park on Jan. 11, 2018. Taryn McCutcheon scored a career-high 25 points in the 82-68, ending the Terrapins' 13-game winning streak. Maryland returned the favor with a 76-68 win on Feb. 8, 2018 in East Lansing. Since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15, the Terrapins are 76-9 (.894) vs. their conference opponents, including their 11-1 record in the Big Ten Tournament.
LAST TIME VS. MARYLAND
Despite three Spartans scoring in double figures the Michigan State women's basketball team was edged by No. 10 Maryland on Feb. 8, 2018 at the Breslin Center.
Michigan State falls to 14-11 overall and 4-8 in league contests, having lost five straight. Penn State improves to 14-10 overall and 5-6 in Big Ten action.
Redshirt-sophomore forward Victoria Gaines led the team in scoring with 16 points to go along with six rebounds. She is the 10th different Spartan to lead the team in scoring this season. Senior forward Taya Reimer recorded her first double-double of the season and fourth of her career with 15 points and 11 board, coming off the bench. Redshirt-senior guard Branndais Agee was the third MSU player in double figures with 14 points.
Maryland had five players in double figures led by 19 points and 11 rebounds from Kaila Charles.
WELCOME HOME
Former All-American and Freeland, Michigan native Tori Jankoska will be back in the Breslin Center on Thursday. Jankoska is now on staff at Maryland as the Director of Recruiting Operations and Player Personnel. Jankoska (2014-17) graduated from Michigan State as the all-time leading scorer with 2,212 points.
DOUBLE-FIGURE SCORING
Three Spartans scored in double-digits Monday against Ohio State with Shay Colley scoring 18 and Jenna Allen and Taryn McCutcheon adding 11 and 10, respectively. Michigan State is now 3-1 when three people scored in double figures.
Allen's double-digit scoring outing was also her third in a row and fifth in her last six games as part of 12th of the season and 39th of her career. She also added one block, one steal and one assist.
CLOUDEN AND THE OLD LINE STATE
Freshman guard Nia Clouden is a familiar with the state of Maryland. The Owings Mills, Maryland native played for head coach Jerome Shelton at St. Frances Academy. She is a two-time Gatorade Maryland Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She is also a two-time Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland All-State selection. She led St. Frances Academy to a 24-4 record and a third-consecutive IAAM A Conference state championship as a senior.
FANTASTIC FRESHMEN
Thursday's game will feature three of the top freshmen in the Big Ten in Michigan State's Nia Clouden and Maryland's Taylor Mikesell and Shakira Austin. Clouden is third in the Big Ten in scoring among freshmen with 12.1 ppg behind Maryland's Taylor Mikesell (14.9 ppg) and Wisconsin's Imani Lewis (12.4 ppg). Among freshman, she is second in the league in assists with 4.3 apg. She is also first among B1G rookies in steals, averaging 1.4 steals per game. Mikesell is first among rookies in field goal percentage (.440). Austin is eighth among freshman in scoring with 9.1 ppg. She is also first in rebounding with 11.3 ppg and is third in the league overall. Austin has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week five times, while Clouden has earned the honor once.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Spartans have seen very different results when in East Lansing than when on the road. MSU is 9-0 at home this season, averaging 87.4 ppg at home. When on the road, Michigan State is 2-3 and averages only 71.4 ppg. At home, five different players are scoring in double figures led by senior Jenna Allen who averages 18.6 points and 9.2 rebounds. On the road, four different Spartans are averaging in double figures in scoring with redshirt-junior Shay Colley leading the team with 17.7 ppg.
The Spartans also have been distributing the ball better at home, averaging 24.3 assists per game at home and only 15.8 apg on the road.
BEATING THE BEST
Last Wednesday's win over No. 18 Minnesota was Michigan State's third home win over a ranked team, joining No. 3 Oregon (88-82 on Dec. 9) and No. 16 Iowa (84-70 on Dec. 30), marking the first time since the 2013-14 season that the Spartans have defeated three ranked teams at the Breslin Center. In 2013-14, MSU beat No. 23 Dayton, No. 16 Nebraska and No. 19 Purdue.
Overall, it was the second-straight season and fourth in last six seasons that the Spartans have defeated three or more ranked teams in the same season. Last year, MSU beat No. 22 South Florida (neutral), No. 11 Maryland (away) and No. 21 Michigan (home). In 2015-16, the Spartans topped No. 16 Northwestern (home), No. 5 Ohio State (home) and No. 9 Ohio State (neutral).
GETTING BACK TO WHAT WORKS
Against Minnesota on Jan. 9, the Spartans dished out a season-high tying 28 assists, matching 28 helpers from Florida Atlantic (Dec. 20). Michigan State is now 8-0 this season when posting 21 or more assists and the Spartans are 12-0 when logging more helpers than the opponent. In MSU's losses to NC State, Northwestern, Indiana and Ohio State, the Spartans averaged only 11.8 assists per game, including a season-low nine against Ohio State.
PUTTING UP THE NUMBERS
In 15 games this season, the Spartans have had a player score at least 20 points six times. Senior center Jenna Allen has scored at least 20 points four times with a season-high 27 points against Oregon on Dec. 9. Redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley has scored at least 20-points, including scoring 28 points against Northwestern on Jan. 3, which was the most by a Spartan this season. Freshman guard Nia Clouden is the final MSU player to reach the 20-point mark with 27 against Iowa on Dec. 30.
ALLEN SCORING THE ROCK
Senior center Jenna Allen's double-digit scoring outing against Ohio State on Jan. 14 was also her third in a row and fifth in last six games as part of 13th of the season and 39th of her career. Against Minnesota, she also had a team-leading seven rebounds, marking the eighth game this season that she has topped or shared the team rebounding lead and MSU is now 8-0 when she does so. She has four 20+ point outings this season and five in her career. Against both Oregon and FAU, Allen tied a career-high with three 3-pointers, matching three triples from at Notre Dame (12/16/17), which was also when her career-high of 28 points came.
B1G BY THE NUMBERS
The Spartans continue to hold several top spots in the Big Ten rankings this week. MSU is still first in scoring offense, averaging 80.8 ppg, while Iowa is close behind in second at 80.6 ppg. The Spartans also lead the B1G in both 3-point field goal percentage (.396) and 3-pointers made per game (7.5). MSU also tops the league in turnover margin (+4.4), while ranking second in assists per game (20.6), scoring margin (+15.1) and assist/turnover ratio (1.5). The Spartans are also third in field goal percentage (.469) and steals per game (9.3).
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has had success when it spreads the ball around this season. The Spartans are 8-0 when they have 21 or more assists in a game. Michigan State is also 12-0 when recording more assists than its opponents. Seven different players have led the team in assists this season, topped by junior guard Taryn McCutcheon, who has led MSU five times.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
The Spartans stand No. 17 in the AP poll and No. 22 in the USA Today Coaches' poll. This is the sixth-straight game that Michigan State has been ranked.
MCCUTCHEON MAKING HER MARK
With four assists against Ohio State on Jan. 14, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon remains alone in fifth in career helpers with 424 in just three seasons. She passed Tamika Matlock (1995-97) who had 403. McCutcheon is just 19 assists away from tying Deb Traxinger (1978-82) with 443 helpers. She is one of just seven Spartans to reach the 400-assist mark.
She is currently tied for third in the Big Ten and 48th in the NCAA with 5.1 assists per game.
BIG TEN OPENERS
Michigan State is 24-13 in home Big Ten openers in 37 years in the league. Last season, the Spartans fell to Rutgers on Dec. 31, 61-58.
Overall, Michigan State is 19-18 all-time in Big Ten openers, having won six of its last eight ... Under Coach Merchant, the Spartans are 8-4 in Big Ten openers ... Last season, MSU earned a dominating 68-46 win over Indiana in Bloomington on Dec. 28, 2017.
This was the first time that Michigan State has started Big Ten play against Iowa since Jan. 6, 1984. In that match up the Spartans fell to the Hawkeyes, 70-62.
BY THE NUMBERS
Michigan State's 88-82 upset of No. 3 was MSU's first upset win over an AP Poll top 5 team since a 107-105 3OT victory over No. 5 Ohio State on Feb. 27, 2016. It was the Spartans' biggest upset win since a 68-64 upset of No. 3 Tennessee on April 3, 2005 in the NCAA Tournament. It was the highest regular-season win since a 82-73 OT win over No. 3 Notre Dame on Dec. 2, 2004.
Michigan State is now 22-15 at home vs. ranked teams under head coach Suzy Merchant. The Spartans are 3-1 against ranked opponents this season after a 78-74 loss to No. 13 N.C. State on Nov. 22 in Cancun, Mexico, a 84-70 win move Iowa on Dec. 30 and an 86-68 win over No. 18 Minnesota on Jan. 9.
CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 185 of their last 196 games (.944) when leading with five minutes left, including 135 of their last 148. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 220-17 (.928) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 12-1 with the only loss coming against Indiana on Jan. 6.
IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
The Spartans improved to 180-97 (.650) all-time in the month of December. Under Coach Merchant, Michigan State is 63-27 (.700) in the 12th month of the calendar year. The Spartans have won 35 of their last 49 games in December, including 6-0 this season.
SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is currently 48th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 5.1 apg, along with 40th in the nation and fifth in the league in total assists (82). McCutcheon is also 41st in the country and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.424). Senior center Jenna Allen is 39th in the country and sixth in the league in field-goal percentage with a 55.1 percentage.
As a team, MSU is fifth in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assists per game, averaging 20.6. Baylor is first in the nation with 22.1 apg. Michigan State is also seventh in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 39.6 percent behind the arc. The Spartans are also 18th in the country and first in the Big Ten in scoring offense, netting 80.8 points per game, as well as ranking 28th in the league and second in the nation in scoring margin at +15.1. MSU is 15th in the country and third in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 46.9 percent from the field.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
For the first time in more than four years (Nov. 17, 2014), six Big Ten schools are ranked in the Top 25
of the Associated Press poll this week, led by No. 9 Maryland. Michigan State is next at No. 17, followed by No. 20 Rutgers, No. 22 Iowa, No. 23 Minnesota and No. 25 Indiana. In addition, Purdue is receiving votes in the latest AP poll. In the WBCA/USA Today coaches' poll, five Big Ten schools are appearing, with Maryland at No. 9, Iowa at No. 18, Michigan State at No. 22, Rutgers debuting at No. 23 and Minnesota at No. 25 — Indiana and Purdue are also receiving votes in the coaches' balloting this week.
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. Merchant was presented her award at a luncheon at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on Dec. 6. 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.
ALLEN AND CLOUDEN CAPTURE B1G HONORS
Michigan State's Jenna Allen and Nia Clouden both captured Big Ten honors on Dec. 31 as announced by the league office. Allen earned Big Ten Player of the Week accolades, while Clouden garnered the Freshman of the Week honor. Clouden was also named USBWA National Freshman of the Week.
This is Allen's second Player of the Week award this season and second of her career. Clouden captured her first Freshman of the Week honor and became the first Spartan to earn the award since Victoria Gaines on Jan. 2, 2017. This is the first time since the Freshman of the Week award began during the 2009-10 season that MSU has received both honors in the same week. The Spartans are also the first team to sweep the awards this year.
Allen, a native of Bedford, Indiana, scored 20 points, going 9-for-14 from the field on Sunday in the then-No. 21/22 Spartans' victory against No. 16/16 Iowa in both schools' Big Ten opener. She also added career-high 17 rebounds in the win.
Clouden, who hails from Owings Mills, Maryland, has been stellar all season for the Spartans. Against Iowa, she set a new career high with 27 points in 39 minutes in the victory against No. 16/16 Iowa. She shot 10-of-19 (.526) from the field and 6-of-9 (.667) from the free throw line to seal the win.
RACKING UP THE HONORS
Michigan State senior center Jenna Allen added to her honors after being named U.S. Basketball Writers Association Ann Meyers Drysdale Women's National Player of the Week on Dec. 10. She also garnered ESPNW and Big Ten Player of the week accolades. Allen averaged 21.5 points on 17-of-24 shooting (.708 percent), including a 5-of-8 performance (.625 percent) from beyond the arc over two games last week. In an upset over No. 3-ranked Oregon on Dec. 9, Allen scored a season-high 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field in a career-high 37 minutes played. The Bedford, Indiana native was 3-of-4 from distance including a triple with 35 seconds left in regulation that all but sealed the game for the Spartans.
2018 ACC/B1G CHALLENGE RECAP
Michigan State was one of the six Big Ten teams to earn a victory in the 12th annual ACC/Big Ten Women's Basketball Challenge, as the ACC won the Challenge, 8-6. MSU was joined in the win column by Indiana, Maryland, Ohio State, Purdue and Minnesota. The Spartans' 25-point margin of victory (91-66) was not only the largest margin of victory, but also the highest B1G score. Overall, it was the third-largest margin of victory in the challenge, behind Notre Dame's 34-point margin in 105-71 win over Iowa and 29-point margin in Florida State's 87-58 win over Penn State. MSU's 91 points was the second-highest scored in the Challenge behind Notre Dame's 105 points.
DID YOU KNOW?
The four points allowed in the first quarter against Virginia was the fewest this season. The fewest points MSU has allowed in a first quarter ever was two against Davidson on Nov. 11, 2016. Michigan State also held Kennesaw State to only six points in the second quarter on Nov. 23. That tied the least amount of points allowed by MSU in the second quarter. MSU also gave up only six points against Indiana on Dec. 28, 2017.
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. This is the fifth time in the past seven years Michigan State has opened with wins in five of its first six games.
BOUNCE BACK ABILITY
In Coach Merchant's first 12 seasons, the Spartans are 77-32 (70.6%) following a loss.
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 13 of 15 games this season. MSU has won 131 of its last 145 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 148-21 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 12-1 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 last 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.
This season, the Spartans are third in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation in attendance, averaging 5,330 fans per game. Michigan State packed 9,520 fans into the Breslin Center as MSU stopped Iowa on Dec. 30. Purdue leads the league in attendance, averaging 6,443 fans per game, while South Carolina is first in the nation with 10,929 per game.
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 taking on No. 9 Maryland, Michigan State will then travel to first-place Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 20. On Thursday, Jan. 24 will then return home to host Illinois.
LAST TIME OUT
No. 17 Michigan State women's basketball team continued its recent road struggles, as the Spartans fell to Ohio State 65-55 at Value City Arena in Columbus on Monday. Michigan State was led by the first double-double of the season by redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, who had 18 points and added 10 rebounds.
With the loss, Michigan State falls to 12-4 this season and 2-3 in the very competitive Big Ten conference. Ohio State improves to 6-8 overall and 2-3 in league play, winning two-straight games. All three of the Spartans' B1G losses have come on the road.
Overall, the Spartans had three players in double figures. Along with Colley, senior center Jenna Allen added 11 points, while junior guard Taryn McCutcheon added 10 points. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines tied her career-high with 11 rebounds.
Ohio State was led by 25 points from Carly Santoro, who was 4-for-7 from beyond the arc for the Buckeyes.
POST-GAME NOTES VS. OHIO STATE
• Three Spartans scored in double-digits Monday against Ohio State with Shay Colley scoring 18 and Jenna Allen and Taryn McCutcheon adding 11 and 10, respectively. Michigan State is now 3-1 when three people scored in double figures.
• Allen's double-digit scoring outing was also her third in a row and fifth in her last six games as part of 12th of the season and 39th of her career. She also added one block, one steal and one assist.
• Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon netted two 3-pointers on Monday which was her 13th game this season with multiple treys.
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.
• The win over No. 18 Minnesota on Jan. 9 was Michigan State's third home win over a ranked team, joining No. 3 Oregon (88-82 on Dec. 9) and No. 16 Iowa (84-70 on Dec. 30), marking the first time since the 2013-14 season that the Spartans have defeated three ranked teams at the Breslin Center. In 2013-14, MSU beat No. 23 Dayton, No. 16 Nebraska and No. 19 Purdue.
• The Spartans are now 9-0 this season at home this season and have a 12-game home winning streak dating back to last year.
• Michigan State is fifth in the nation and second in the Big Ten in assists per game, averaging 20.6 apg. The Spartans are also seventh in the nation and first in the B1G in 3-point field goal percentage (.396).
• Senior center Jenna Allen is climbing the charts, as she now has 930 career points. She is 70 points away from becoming the 27th Spartan to reach the 1,000-point mark.SCOUTING MARYLAND
Maryland is ranked No. 9 in both the Associated Press poll and in the USA Today Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll. Maryland is No. 6 in the country and leads the Big Ten in rebounding margin (+12.5). The Terps are eighth nationally in rebounds with 45.8 per game, while also standing fourth in defensive rebounds per game (31.0). UMD is also second in the league in scoring defense, allowing only 56.7 ppg. The tough Terps are also first in scoring margin in the conference (20.9), while Michigan State stands second (+15.1).
Taylor Mikesell leads the Big Ten with 50 threes made, while Channise Lewis leads the league in assists with 5.6. Freshman Shakira Austin is No. 5 in the country in total blocks (48) and needs five to break the Maryland freshman blocks record. Kaila Charles is fifth in the league in scoring, averaging 16.6 ppg, while Mikesell is 11th scoring 14.9 ppg.
Maryland head coach Brenda Frese earned her 500th career with an 81-63 victory at Nebraska on Jan. 8, 2019. She has a record of 501-150 (.770) over her 20-year coaching career.
SERIES HISTORY VS. MARYLAND
Michigan State trails the all-time series with Maryland 11-1. Last season, the Spartans earned their first-ever win over the Terrapins in College Park on Jan. 11, 2018. Taryn McCutcheon scored a career-high 25 points in the 82-68, ending the Terrapins' 13-game winning streak. Maryland returned the favor with a 76-68 win on Feb. 8, 2018 in East Lansing. Since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15, the Terrapins are 76-9 (.894) vs. their conference opponents, including their 11-1 record in the Big Ten Tournament.
LAST TIME VS. MARYLAND
Despite three Spartans scoring in double figures the Michigan State women's basketball team was edged by No. 10 Maryland on Feb. 8, 2018 at the Breslin Center.
Michigan State falls to 14-11 overall and 4-8 in league contests, having lost five straight. Penn State improves to 14-10 overall and 5-6 in Big Ten action.
Redshirt-sophomore forward Victoria Gaines led the team in scoring with 16 points to go along with six rebounds. She is the 10th different Spartan to lead the team in scoring this season. Senior forward Taya Reimer recorded her first double-double of the season and fourth of her career with 15 points and 11 board, coming off the bench. Redshirt-senior guard Branndais Agee was the third MSU player in double figures with 14 points.
Maryland had five players in double figures led by 19 points and 11 rebounds from Kaila Charles.
WELCOME HOME
Former All-American and Freeland, Michigan native Tori Jankoska will be back in the Breslin Center on Thursday. Jankoska is now on staff at Maryland as the Director of Recruiting Operations and Player Personnel. Jankoska (2014-17) graduated from Michigan State as the all-time leading scorer with 2,212 points.
DOUBLE-FIGURE SCORING
Three Spartans scored in double-digits Monday against Ohio State with Shay Colley scoring 18 and Jenna Allen and Taryn McCutcheon adding 11 and 10, respectively. Michigan State is now 3-1 when three people scored in double figures.
Allen's double-digit scoring outing was also her third in a row and fifth in her last six games as part of 12th of the season and 39th of her career. She also added one block, one steal and one assist.
CLOUDEN AND THE OLD LINE STATE
Freshman guard Nia Clouden is a familiar with the state of Maryland. The Owings Mills, Maryland native played for head coach Jerome Shelton at St. Frances Academy. She is a two-time Gatorade Maryland Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She is also a two-time Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland All-State selection. She led St. Frances Academy to a 24-4 record and a third-consecutive IAAM A Conference state championship as a senior.
FANTASTIC FRESHMEN
Thursday's game will feature three of the top freshmen in the Big Ten in Michigan State's Nia Clouden and Maryland's Taylor Mikesell and Shakira Austin. Clouden is third in the Big Ten in scoring among freshmen with 12.1 ppg behind Maryland's Taylor Mikesell (14.9 ppg) and Wisconsin's Imani Lewis (12.4 ppg). Among freshman, she is second in the league in assists with 4.3 apg. She is also first among B1G rookies in steals, averaging 1.4 steals per game. Mikesell is first among rookies in field goal percentage (.440). Austin is eighth among freshman in scoring with 9.1 ppg. She is also first in rebounding with 11.3 ppg and is third in the league overall. Austin has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week five times, while Clouden has earned the honor once.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Spartans have seen very different results when in East Lansing than when on the road. MSU is 9-0 at home this season, averaging 87.4 ppg at home. When on the road, Michigan State is 2-3 and averages only 71.4 ppg. At home, five different players are scoring in double figures led by senior Jenna Allen who averages 18.6 points and 9.2 rebounds. On the road, four different Spartans are averaging in double figures in scoring with redshirt-junior Shay Colley leading the team with 17.7 ppg.
The Spartans also have been distributing the ball better at home, averaging 24.3 assists per game at home and only 15.8 apg on the road.
BEATING THE BEST
Last Wednesday's win over No. 18 Minnesota was Michigan State's third home win over a ranked team, joining No. 3 Oregon (88-82 on Dec. 9) and No. 16 Iowa (84-70 on Dec. 30), marking the first time since the 2013-14 season that the Spartans have defeated three ranked teams at the Breslin Center. In 2013-14, MSU beat No. 23 Dayton, No. 16 Nebraska and No. 19 Purdue.
Overall, it was the second-straight season and fourth in last six seasons that the Spartans have defeated three or more ranked teams in the same season. Last year, MSU beat No. 22 South Florida (neutral), No. 11 Maryland (away) and No. 21 Michigan (home). In 2015-16, the Spartans topped No. 16 Northwestern (home), No. 5 Ohio State (home) and No. 9 Ohio State (neutral).
GETTING BACK TO WHAT WORKS
Against Minnesota on Jan. 9, the Spartans dished out a season-high tying 28 assists, matching 28 helpers from Florida Atlantic (Dec. 20). Michigan State is now 8-0 this season when posting 21 or more assists and the Spartans are 12-0 when logging more helpers than the opponent. In MSU's losses to NC State, Northwestern, Indiana and Ohio State, the Spartans averaged only 11.8 assists per game, including a season-low nine against Ohio State.
PUTTING UP THE NUMBERS
In 15 games this season, the Spartans have had a player score at least 20 points six times. Senior center Jenna Allen has scored at least 20 points four times with a season-high 27 points against Oregon on Dec. 9. Redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley has scored at least 20-points, including scoring 28 points against Northwestern on Jan. 3, which was the most by a Spartan this season. Freshman guard Nia Clouden is the final MSU player to reach the 20-point mark with 27 against Iowa on Dec. 30.
ALLEN SCORING THE ROCK
Senior center Jenna Allen's double-digit scoring outing against Ohio State on Jan. 14 was also her third in a row and fifth in last six games as part of 13th of the season and 39th of her career. Against Minnesota, she also had a team-leading seven rebounds, marking the eighth game this season that she has topped or shared the team rebounding lead and MSU is now 8-0 when she does so. She has four 20+ point outings this season and five in her career. Against both Oregon and FAU, Allen tied a career-high with three 3-pointers, matching three triples from at Notre Dame (12/16/17), which was also when her career-high of 28 points came.
B1G BY THE NUMBERS
The Spartans continue to hold several top spots in the Big Ten rankings this week. MSU is still first in scoring offense, averaging 80.8 ppg, while Iowa is close behind in second at 80.6 ppg. The Spartans also lead the B1G in both 3-point field goal percentage (.396) and 3-pointers made per game (7.5). MSU also tops the league in turnover margin (+4.4), while ranking second in assists per game (20.6), scoring margin (+15.1) and assist/turnover ratio (1.5). The Spartans are also third in field goal percentage (.469) and steals per game (9.3).
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has had success when it spreads the ball around this season. The Spartans are 8-0 when they have 21 or more assists in a game. Michigan State is also 12-0 when recording more assists than its opponents. Seven different players have led the team in assists this season, topped by junior guard Taryn McCutcheon, who has led MSU five times.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
The Spartans stand No. 17 in the AP poll and No. 22 in the USA Today Coaches' poll. This is the sixth-straight game that Michigan State has been ranked.
MCCUTCHEON MAKING HER MARK
With four assists against Ohio State on Jan. 14, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon remains alone in fifth in career helpers with 424 in just three seasons. She passed Tamika Matlock (1995-97) who had 403. McCutcheon is just 19 assists away from tying Deb Traxinger (1978-82) with 443 helpers. She is one of just seven Spartans to reach the 400-assist mark.
She is currently tied for third in the Big Ten and 48th in the NCAA with 5.1 assists per game.
BIG TEN OPENERS
Michigan State is 24-13 in home Big Ten openers in 37 years in the league. Last season, the Spartans fell to Rutgers on Dec. 31, 61-58.
Overall, Michigan State is 19-18 all-time in Big Ten openers, having won six of its last eight ... Under Coach Merchant, the Spartans are 8-4 in Big Ten openers ... Last season, MSU earned a dominating 68-46 win over Indiana in Bloomington on Dec. 28, 2017.
This was the first time that Michigan State has started Big Ten play against Iowa since Jan. 6, 1984. In that match up the Spartans fell to the Hawkeyes, 70-62.
BY THE NUMBERS
Michigan State's 88-82 upset of No. 3 was MSU's first upset win over an AP Poll top 5 team since a 107-105 3OT victory over No. 5 Ohio State on Feb. 27, 2016. It was the Spartans' biggest upset win since a 68-64 upset of No. 3 Tennessee on April 3, 2005 in the NCAA Tournament. It was the highest regular-season win since a 82-73 OT win over No. 3 Notre Dame on Dec. 2, 2004.
Michigan State is now 22-15 at home vs. ranked teams under head coach Suzy Merchant. The Spartans are 3-1 against ranked opponents this season after a 78-74 loss to No. 13 N.C. State on Nov. 22 in Cancun, Mexico, a 84-70 win move Iowa on Dec. 30 and an 86-68 win over No. 18 Minnesota on Jan. 9.
CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 185 of their last 196 games (.944) when leading with five minutes left, including 135 of their last 148. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 220-17 (.928) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 12-1 with the only loss coming against Indiana on Jan. 6.
IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
The Spartans improved to 180-97 (.650) all-time in the month of December. Under Coach Merchant, Michigan State is 63-27 (.700) in the 12th month of the calendar year. The Spartans have won 35 of their last 49 games in December, including 6-0 this season.
SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is currently 48th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 5.1 apg, along with 40th in the nation and fifth in the league in total assists (82). McCutcheon is also 41st in the country and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.424). Senior center Jenna Allen is 39th in the country and sixth in the league in field-goal percentage with a 55.1 percentage.
As a team, MSU is fifth in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assists per game, averaging 20.6. Baylor is first in the nation with 22.1 apg. Michigan State is also seventh in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 39.6 percent behind the arc. The Spartans are also 18th in the country and first in the Big Ten in scoring offense, netting 80.8 points per game, as well as ranking 28th in the league and second in the nation in scoring margin at +15.1. MSU is 15th in the country and third in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 46.9 percent from the field.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
For the first time in more than four years (Nov. 17, 2014), six Big Ten schools are ranked in the Top 25
of the Associated Press poll this week, led by No. 9 Maryland. Michigan State is next at No. 17, followed by No. 20 Rutgers, No. 22 Iowa, No. 23 Minnesota and No. 25 Indiana. In addition, Purdue is receiving votes in the latest AP poll. In the WBCA/USA Today coaches' poll, five Big Ten schools are appearing, with Maryland at No. 9, Iowa at No. 18, Michigan State at No. 22, Rutgers debuting at No. 23 and Minnesota at No. 25 — Indiana and Purdue are also receiving votes in the coaches' balloting this week.
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. Merchant was presented her award at a luncheon at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on Dec. 6. 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.
ALLEN AND CLOUDEN CAPTURE B1G HONORS
Michigan State's Jenna Allen and Nia Clouden both captured Big Ten honors on Dec. 31 as announced by the league office. Allen earned Big Ten Player of the Week accolades, while Clouden garnered the Freshman of the Week honor. Clouden was also named USBWA National Freshman of the Week.
This is Allen's second Player of the Week award this season and second of her career. Clouden captured her first Freshman of the Week honor and became the first Spartan to earn the award since Victoria Gaines on Jan. 2, 2017. This is the first time since the Freshman of the Week award began during the 2009-10 season that MSU has received both honors in the same week. The Spartans are also the first team to sweep the awards this year.
Allen, a native of Bedford, Indiana, scored 20 points, going 9-for-14 from the field on Sunday in the then-No. 21/22 Spartans' victory against No. 16/16 Iowa in both schools' Big Ten opener. She also added career-high 17 rebounds in the win.
Clouden, who hails from Owings Mills, Maryland, has been stellar all season for the Spartans. Against Iowa, she set a new career high with 27 points in 39 minutes in the victory against No. 16/16 Iowa. She shot 10-of-19 (.526) from the field and 6-of-9 (.667) from the free throw line to seal the win.
RACKING UP THE HONORS
Michigan State senior center Jenna Allen added to her honors after being named U.S. Basketball Writers Association Ann Meyers Drysdale Women's National Player of the Week on Dec. 10. She also garnered ESPNW and Big Ten Player of the week accolades. Allen averaged 21.5 points on 17-of-24 shooting (.708 percent), including a 5-of-8 performance (.625 percent) from beyond the arc over two games last week. In an upset over No. 3-ranked Oregon on Dec. 9, Allen scored a season-high 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field in a career-high 37 minutes played. The Bedford, Indiana native was 3-of-4 from distance including a triple with 35 seconds left in regulation that all but sealed the game for the Spartans.
2018 ACC/B1G CHALLENGE RECAP
Michigan State was one of the six Big Ten teams to earn a victory in the 12th annual ACC/Big Ten Women's Basketball Challenge, as the ACC won the Challenge, 8-6. MSU was joined in the win column by Indiana, Maryland, Ohio State, Purdue and Minnesota. The Spartans' 25-point margin of victory (91-66) was not only the largest margin of victory, but also the highest B1G score. Overall, it was the third-largest margin of victory in the challenge, behind Notre Dame's 34-point margin in 105-71 win over Iowa and 29-point margin in Florida State's 87-58 win over Penn State. MSU's 91 points was the second-highest scored in the Challenge behind Notre Dame's 105 points.
DID YOU KNOW?
The four points allowed in the first quarter against Virginia was the fewest this season. The fewest points MSU has allowed in a first quarter ever was two against Davidson on Nov. 11, 2016. Michigan State also held Kennesaw State to only six points in the second quarter on Nov. 23. That tied the least amount of points allowed by MSU in the second quarter. MSU also gave up only six points against Indiana on Dec. 28, 2017.
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. This is the fifth time in the past seven years Michigan State has opened with wins in five of its first six games.
BOUNCE BACK ABILITY
In Coach Merchant's first 12 seasons, the Spartans are 77-32 (70.6%) following a loss.
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 13 of 15 games this season. MSU has won 131 of its last 145 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 148-21 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 12-1 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 last 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.
This season, the Spartans are third in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation in attendance, averaging 5,330 fans per game. Michigan State packed 9,520 fans into the Breslin Center as MSU stopped Iowa on Dec. 30. Purdue leads the league in attendance, averaging 6,443 fans per game, while South Carolina is first in the nation with 10,929 per game.
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 taking on No. 9 Maryland, Michigan State will then travel to first-place Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 20. On Thursday, Jan. 24 will then return home to host Illinois.
LAST TIME OUT
No. 17 Michigan State women's basketball team continued its recent road struggles, as the Spartans fell to Ohio State 65-55 at Value City Arena in Columbus on Monday. Michigan State was led by the first double-double of the season by redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, who had 18 points and added 10 rebounds.
With the loss, Michigan State falls to 12-4 this season and 2-3 in the very competitive Big Ten conference. Ohio State improves to 6-8 overall and 2-3 in league play, winning two-straight games. All three of the Spartans' B1G losses have come on the road.
Overall, the Spartans had three players in double figures. Along with Colley, senior center Jenna Allen added 11 points, while junior guard Taryn McCutcheon added 10 points. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines tied her career-high with 11 rebounds.
Ohio State was led by 25 points from Carly Santoro, who was 4-for-7 from beyond the arc for the Buckeyes.
POST-GAME NOTES VS. OHIO STATE
• Three Spartans scored in double-digits Monday against Ohio State with Shay Colley scoring 18 and Jenna Allen and Taryn McCutcheon adding 11 and 10, respectively. Michigan State is now 3-1 when three people scored in double figures.
• Allen's double-digit scoring outing was also her third in a row and fifth in her last six games as part of 12th of the season and 39th of her career. She also added one block, one steal and one assist.
• Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon netted two 3-pointers on Monday which was her 13th game this season with multiple treys.
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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