Sunday, January 27
Ann Arbor, Mich.
2 PM ET
Michigan State University
at
Michigan
No. 23/21 MSU Women Travel to In-State Rival Michigan Sunday
1/26/2019 12:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
This is the first of two regular-seasons meetings.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - No. 23/21 Michigan State remains in the Great Lakes State to take on in-state rival Michigan on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. on the Big Ten Network with Lisa Byington and Christy Winters Scott on the call. This is the first meeting of the season between the Spartans and the Wolverines. Overall, MSU stands 14-5 and 4-4 in Big Ten action. Michigan has an overall record of 12-8 and 3-5 mark in league contests.
• This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the Spartans and the Wolverines. In the regular-season finale on March 3, the two squads will meet in East Lansing.
• The Spartans have five players with at least 40 assists this season, led by junior guard Taryn McCutcheon who has 92 assists (4.8 apg). Freshman guard Nia Clouden has 87 total assists (4.6 apg). Shay Colley (48), Jenna Allen (42) and Victoria Gaines (40) also help the Spartans move the ball.
• MSU dished out 25 assists as a team, against Illinois as the Spartans improved to 9-0 when they have 21 or more assists in a game and 14-0 when recording more assists than the opposition.
• Now with 965 career points, Jenna Allen is just 35 points away from becoming the 27th player in Spartan to reach the 1,000 career points plateau. Allen was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine rebounds in the win over Illinois. MSU is now 9-0 this season 15-3 for her career when Allen leads the Spartans in rebounding. The nine rebounds pushes Allen over the 500 career rebounding mark, now with 502 career boards.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
The Wolverines are 12-8 overall and 3-5 in B1G action following a 70-60 loss at Indiana on Thursday night in Bloomington. UM trailed for much of the game, but cut the gap to 60-58 with 3:16 to go, but that would be the closest the Wolverines would get, as the Hoosiers closed out the game with a 10-2 run. Senior guard Nicole Munger and freshman forward Naz Hillmon shared leading scoring honors with 16 points apiece, while Hillmon led UM with nine rebounds in her first outing after being named Big Ten Freshman of the Week and to the B1G Player of the Week Honor Roll.
Michigan is second in the B1G and 17th in the NCAA in rebound margin (+8.8), as UM is second in rebounding defense, holding the opposition to 32.4 rpg, while ranking fourth in rebounding offense (41.2 rpg). The Wolverines are third in offensive rebounds (14.4 pg), while ranking 10th in defensive rebounds (26.8 pg), and also lead the B1G in defensive rebound percentage, as 74.0 of their rebounds (535 of 723 total rebounds) are on the defensive glass.
UM is sixth in the B1G in scoring offense (72.0 ppg) and seventh in scoring defense (61.8 ppg), to rank sixth in scoring margin (+10.3). The Wolverines are fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (.442), 13th in 3-point field goal percentage (.294) and 11th in free throw percentage (.674). The Michigan defense is ninth in field goal percentage defense (.398) and fourth in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.309). UM is also sixth in assists (15.4 apg), while ranking ninth in steals (7.3 spg) and 12th in blocked shots (3.7 bpg). The Wolverines also third in turnover margin (+1.6).
Three Wolverines average double-figure scoring, led by senior center Hallie Thome with 13.1 ppg, to rank tied for 14th in the B1G in scoring, and also ranks tied for 17th in the league in rebounding (6.2 rpg), as well as 11th in blocks (1.2 bpg). Hillmon is second in both the B1G and NCAA in field goal percentage (.704), behind Iowa's Megan Gustafson (.713). Hillmon is also tied for 18th in the conference in scoring (12.4 ppg) and leads UM and ranks 15th in the B1G in rebounding (6.6 rpg). Munger rounds out the Wolverine trio of double-figure averages with 11.0 ppg, and ranks fifth in the B1G in 3-point field goal percentage (.345) and tied for fifth in the league in 3-pointers per game (2.1).
Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico has a 146-81 record in her seventh season at the helm of the Wolverines. Overall, she has amassed a 416-287 ledger in her 20th season as a collegiate head coach.
SERIES HISTORY VS. MICHIGAN
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Michigan, 70-19. The Spartans have won five of the last six meeting with the Wolverines. Last season, the teams split games with the Wolverines, capturing the win in Ann Arbor on Jan. 23, 74-48. Michigan State stopped Michigan in East Lansing, 66-61.
LAST TIME VS. MICHIGAN
Lexi Gussert scored 11 of her 14 points in the first half to help her team build a double-digit lead and Michigan State held on to beat No. 21 Michigan 66-61 on Feb. 11, 2018.
MSU celebrated its annual Pink Game for breast cancer awareness and Girl Scout Day by packing the Breslin Center with 12,434 fans, which was the eighth-highest attendance in school history.
The Spartans (15-11, 5-8 Big Ten) had lost six straight, playing without one of their best players and a key reserve. The Wolverines (20-7, 9-5) have lost three of four, falling out of contention to win a Big Ten title.
Gussert led a very balanced Spartan attack with 14 points to go along with three rebounds, steals and assists. All nine MSU players that got in the game score at least two points. Both redshirt-senior guard Branndais Agee and redshirt-sophomore forward Victoria Gaines both scored nine points and added five rebounds.
ON THE BOARDS
Michigan State snared 47 rebounds against Illinois on Thursday, which is its ninth 40+ rebounding outing of the season and MSU improves to 8-1 this season when registering 40 or more boards. The 25 rebounds by Illinois was a season-low by an MSU opponent this season and the Spartans' +22 rebounding advantage was a season-high.
COOKS HEATING UP THE KITCHEN
In the last six games, sophomore forward Sidney Cooks has been heating up on the offensive end in the last six games. She is averaging 12.5 points during that time frame, including scoring a career-high 21 points in a win against Minnesota on Jan. 9. Cooks has scored in double figures in five of the six games, being held to only four points in a loss to Ohio State on Jan. 14.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
With the win against Illinois on Jan. 24, Michigan State improved to 11-0 at home. The Spartans matched last year's home win total. The Spartans were 11-5 at the Breslin Center last season, while finishing the 2016-17 season 11-3 at home. During the 2015-16 season, MSU went 13-2 in East Lansing. The Spartans most home wins came during the 2010-11 season with 15 wins.
BEATING THE BEST
The Jan. 17 upset win over No. 9/9 Maryland was Michigan State's fourth home win over a ranked team, marking the first time that the Spartans have defeated four ranked teams at home since 2004-05 when MSU defeated No. 18/17 Iowa, No. 11/12 Minnesota, No. RV/24 Purdue and No. 2/3 Ohio State.
The win was MSU's fourth home win over a ranked team, joining No. 3 Oregon (88-82 on Dec. 9), No. 16 Iowa (84-70 on Dec. 30) and No. 18 Minnesota (Jan. 9), marking the second time in last four seasons that the Spartans have beat four ranked teams in the same season. In 2015-16, the Spartans topped No. 16 Northwestern (home), No. 5 Ohio State (home) and No. 9 Ohio State (neutral).
MSU's losses against ranked teams were against then-No. 15/13 NC State on Nov. 22 and No. 20/23 Rutgers on the road on Jan. 20. NC State is currently ranked No. 8 and the only undefeated team with an 18-0 record.
The Spartans are now 4-2 this season against ranked opponents, improving to 23-16 overall at home vs. ranked foes under head coach Suzy Merchant.
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 9-0 this season when posting 21 or more assists and the Spartans are 14-1 when logging more helpers than the opponent. Against Rutgers on Jan. 20, Michigan State fell to the Scarlet Knights, despite, having 20 assists to RU's 14. 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 19 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 APPROACHING A MILESTONE
Allen posted 14 points for her fifth double-digit game in last six outings and 15th of the season. Now with 965 career points, Allen is just 35 points away from becoming the 27th player in Spartan women's basketball history to reach the 1,000 career points plateau. Allen was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine rebounds in the win over Illinois. MSU is now 9-0 this season 15-3 for her career when Allen leads the Spartans in rebounding. The nine rebounds pushes Allen over the 500 career rebounding mark, now with 502 career boards.
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, sitting first in both 3-point field goal percentage (.398) and in 3-pointers made per game (7.6). Michigan State also tops the league in turnover margin (+3.5). MSU is also second in scoring offense, averaging 79.4 ppg, just shy of Iowa's leading 80.5 ppg, along with scoring margin (+13.8), assists (20.4 apg), assist/turnover ratio (1.4). Additionally, the Spartans are third in field goal percentage (.465) and steals (8.8 spg).
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 13-0 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 eight times.
LOOKING AT THE TOP 25
Despite losses last week, the Spartans stand No. 22 in the AP poll and No. 21 in the USA Today Coaches' poll. This is the seventh-straight game that Michigan State has been ranked.
MCCUTCHEON MAKING HER MARK
With three assists against No. 20 Rutgers on Jan. 20, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon remains alone in fifth in career helpers with 434 in just three seasons. She passed Tamika Matlock (1995-97) who had 403. McCutcheon is just nine 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 fifth in the Big Ten and 62nd in the NCAA with 4.8 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.
CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 187 of their last 198 games (.944) when leading with five minutes left, including 137 of their last 150. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 222-17 (.929) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 14-1 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 63rd in the nation and fifth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 4.8 apg, along with 42nd in the nation and fifth in the league in total assists (92). McCutcheon is also 28th in the country and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.431). Senior center Jenna Allen is 44th in the country and sixth in the league in field-goal percentage with a 54.1 percentage.
As a team, MSU is fourth in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assists per game, averaging 20.4. Iowa is first in the nation with 22.2 apg. Michigan State is also sixth in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 39.8 percent behind the arc. The Spartans are also 20th in the country and second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, netting 79.4 points per game, as well as ranking 33rd in the nation and second in the league in scoring margin at +13.8. MSU is 18th in the country and third in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 46.5 percent from the field.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
As of Tuesday, the Big Ten ranked No. 4 in the NCAA RPI (Ratings Percentage Index). In addition, nine Big Ten schools are among the top 80 in the NCAA team RPI rankings, including three in the top 25 and six in the top 50. Iowa leads the group at No. 12, followed by No. 16 Rutgers and No. 24 Maryland. Michigan State is next at No. 28, with Indiana at No. 29, Purdue at No. 33, Michigan at No. 63, Nebraska at No. 72 and Northwestern at No. 80.
Seven Big Ten schools are appearing in one or both of the major national polls this week, with four ranked in the Top 25 of both the Associated Press and WBCA/USA Today polls, led by No. 11/10 Maryland. Rutgers is next at No. 14/18, joined by No. 17/15 Iowa and No. 23/21 Michigan State. In addition, Minnesota is receiving votes in both polls, while Indiana is earning votes in the latest AP poll and Purdue is doing likewise in the coaches' poll.
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 78 -32 (70.9%) 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 15 of 18 games this season. MSU has won 132 of its last 146 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 150-22 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 14-1 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 fourth in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation in attendance, averaging 5,306 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 6,619 fans per game, while South Carolina is first in the nation with 11,037 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 Michigan on Jan. 27, the Spartan will return home to the Breslin Center for a pair of home games. The Spartans will take on Penn State on Thursday, Jan. 31 on National Girls and Women in Sports Day. MSU will also face Purdue on Sunday, Feb. 3 for its annual Think Pink game.
LAST TIME OUT
Using a fast start and five players in double figures, the No. 23/21 Michigan State women's basketball team breezed past Illinois, 77-60, at the Breslin Center Thursday night. The Spartans have now won 14-straight games at home, dating back to last season.
With the win, Michigan State improves to 14-5 overall and evens out its Big Ten record at 4-4. Illinois falls to 9-10 overall and 1-7 in league contests. The Spartans have now won seven-straight games against the Illini dating back to 2014.
Michigan State was led by a quintet of players in double figures, including three players with 14 points in senior center Jenna Allen, redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley and junior guard Taryn McCutcheon. Sophomore guard Sidney Cooks also added 12 points and five rebounds in her first start of the season, while redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines scored 11 points off the bench.
Brandi Beasley was the leading scorer for Illinois with 15 points, as she reached the 1,000 point mark for her career. Cierra Rice added 10 points for the Illini. MSU held Illinois' leading scorer, Alex Wittinger to only seven points, well below her season average of 15.9 ppg. By holding Illinois to 60 points, MSU improved to 7-0 this season when holding the opponent to 60 or fewer points.
POST-GAME NOTES VS. ILLINOIS
• MSU's starting lineup of junior guards Shay Colley and Taryn McCutcheon, sophomore forward Sidney Cooks, freshman guard Nia Clouden and senior center Jenna Allen was the first time this season that the Spartans have started with that quintet, as Cooks was making her first start of the season ... It was Cooks' 23rd career start.
• McCutcheon made her 19th start of the season and 84th of her career ... Allen recorded her 19th start of the season and 46th of her career ... Colley started for the 12th time this season and made the 34th start of her career ... Clouden posted her 19th start of the season.
• Allen, McCutcheon and Clouden have started all 19 games this season and are joined by junior forward Victoria Gaines in playing all 19 games.
• Michigan State is now 11-0 this season at home this season and have a 14-game home winning streak dating back to last year.
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.
• This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the Spartans and the Wolverines. In the regular-season finale on March 3, the two squads will meet in East Lansing.
• The Spartans have five players with at least 40 assists this season, led by junior guard Taryn McCutcheon who has 92 assists (4.8 apg). Freshman guard Nia Clouden has 87 total assists (4.6 apg). Shay Colley (48), Jenna Allen (42) and Victoria Gaines (40) also help the Spartans move the ball.
• MSU dished out 25 assists as a team, against Illinois as the Spartans improved to 9-0 when they have 21 or more assists in a game and 14-0 when recording more assists than the opposition.
• Now with 965 career points, Jenna Allen is just 35 points away from becoming the 27th player in Spartan to reach the 1,000 career points plateau. Allen was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine rebounds in the win over Illinois. MSU is now 9-0 this season 15-3 for her career when Allen leads the Spartans in rebounding. The nine rebounds pushes Allen over the 500 career rebounding mark, now with 502 career boards.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
The Wolverines are 12-8 overall and 3-5 in B1G action following a 70-60 loss at Indiana on Thursday night in Bloomington. UM trailed for much of the game, but cut the gap to 60-58 with 3:16 to go, but that would be the closest the Wolverines would get, as the Hoosiers closed out the game with a 10-2 run. Senior guard Nicole Munger and freshman forward Naz Hillmon shared leading scoring honors with 16 points apiece, while Hillmon led UM with nine rebounds in her first outing after being named Big Ten Freshman of the Week and to the B1G Player of the Week Honor Roll.
Michigan is second in the B1G and 17th in the NCAA in rebound margin (+8.8), as UM is second in rebounding defense, holding the opposition to 32.4 rpg, while ranking fourth in rebounding offense (41.2 rpg). The Wolverines are third in offensive rebounds (14.4 pg), while ranking 10th in defensive rebounds (26.8 pg), and also lead the B1G in defensive rebound percentage, as 74.0 of their rebounds (535 of 723 total rebounds) are on the defensive glass.
UM is sixth in the B1G in scoring offense (72.0 ppg) and seventh in scoring defense (61.8 ppg), to rank sixth in scoring margin (+10.3). The Wolverines are fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (.442), 13th in 3-point field goal percentage (.294) and 11th in free throw percentage (.674). The Michigan defense is ninth in field goal percentage defense (.398) and fourth in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.309). UM is also sixth in assists (15.4 apg), while ranking ninth in steals (7.3 spg) and 12th in blocked shots (3.7 bpg). The Wolverines also third in turnover margin (+1.6).
Three Wolverines average double-figure scoring, led by senior center Hallie Thome with 13.1 ppg, to rank tied for 14th in the B1G in scoring, and also ranks tied for 17th in the league in rebounding (6.2 rpg), as well as 11th in blocks (1.2 bpg). Hillmon is second in both the B1G and NCAA in field goal percentage (.704), behind Iowa's Megan Gustafson (.713). Hillmon is also tied for 18th in the conference in scoring (12.4 ppg) and leads UM and ranks 15th in the B1G in rebounding (6.6 rpg). Munger rounds out the Wolverine trio of double-figure averages with 11.0 ppg, and ranks fifth in the B1G in 3-point field goal percentage (.345) and tied for fifth in the league in 3-pointers per game (2.1).
Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico has a 146-81 record in her seventh season at the helm of the Wolverines. Overall, she has amassed a 416-287 ledger in her 20th season as a collegiate head coach.
SERIES HISTORY VS. MICHIGAN
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Michigan, 70-19. The Spartans have won five of the last six meeting with the Wolverines. Last season, the teams split games with the Wolverines, capturing the win in Ann Arbor on Jan. 23, 74-48. Michigan State stopped Michigan in East Lansing, 66-61.
LAST TIME VS. MICHIGAN
Lexi Gussert scored 11 of her 14 points in the first half to help her team build a double-digit lead and Michigan State held on to beat No. 21 Michigan 66-61 on Feb. 11, 2018.
MSU celebrated its annual Pink Game for breast cancer awareness and Girl Scout Day by packing the Breslin Center with 12,434 fans, which was the eighth-highest attendance in school history.
The Spartans (15-11, 5-8 Big Ten) had lost six straight, playing without one of their best players and a key reserve. The Wolverines (20-7, 9-5) have lost three of four, falling out of contention to win a Big Ten title.
Gussert led a very balanced Spartan attack with 14 points to go along with three rebounds, steals and assists. All nine MSU players that got in the game score at least two points. Both redshirt-senior guard Branndais Agee and redshirt-sophomore forward Victoria Gaines both scored nine points and added five rebounds.
ON THE BOARDS
Michigan State snared 47 rebounds against Illinois on Thursday, which is its ninth 40+ rebounding outing of the season and MSU improves to 8-1 this season when registering 40 or more boards. The 25 rebounds by Illinois was a season-low by an MSU opponent this season and the Spartans' +22 rebounding advantage was a season-high.
COOKS HEATING UP THE KITCHEN
In the last six games, sophomore forward Sidney Cooks has been heating up on the offensive end in the last six games. She is averaging 12.5 points during that time frame, including scoring a career-high 21 points in a win against Minnesota on Jan. 9. Cooks has scored in double figures in five of the six games, being held to only four points in a loss to Ohio State on Jan. 14.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
With the win against Illinois on Jan. 24, Michigan State improved to 11-0 at home. The Spartans matched last year's home win total. The Spartans were 11-5 at the Breslin Center last season, while finishing the 2016-17 season 11-3 at home. During the 2015-16 season, MSU went 13-2 in East Lansing. The Spartans most home wins came during the 2010-11 season with 15 wins.
BEATING THE BEST
The Jan. 17 upset win over No. 9/9 Maryland was Michigan State's fourth home win over a ranked team, marking the first time that the Spartans have defeated four ranked teams at home since 2004-05 when MSU defeated No. 18/17 Iowa, No. 11/12 Minnesota, No. RV/24 Purdue and No. 2/3 Ohio State.
The win was MSU's fourth home win over a ranked team, joining No. 3 Oregon (88-82 on Dec. 9), No. 16 Iowa (84-70 on Dec. 30) and No. 18 Minnesota (Jan. 9), marking the second time in last four seasons that the Spartans have beat four ranked teams in the same season. In 2015-16, the Spartans topped No. 16 Northwestern (home), No. 5 Ohio State (home) and No. 9 Ohio State (neutral).
MSU's losses against ranked teams were against then-No. 15/13 NC State on Nov. 22 and No. 20/23 Rutgers on the road on Jan. 20. NC State is currently ranked No. 8 and the only undefeated team with an 18-0 record.
The Spartans are now 4-2 this season against ranked opponents, improving to 23-16 overall at home vs. ranked foes under head coach Suzy Merchant.
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 9-0 this season when posting 21 or more assists and the Spartans are 14-1 when logging more helpers than the opponent. Against Rutgers on Jan. 20, Michigan State fell to the Scarlet Knights, despite, having 20 assists to RU's 14. 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 19 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 APPROACHING A MILESTONE
Allen posted 14 points for her fifth double-digit game in last six outings and 15th of the season. Now with 965 career points, Allen is just 35 points away from becoming the 27th player in Spartan women's basketball history to reach the 1,000 career points plateau. Allen was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine rebounds in the win over Illinois. MSU is now 9-0 this season 15-3 for her career when Allen leads the Spartans in rebounding. The nine rebounds pushes Allen over the 500 career rebounding mark, now with 502 career boards.
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, sitting first in both 3-point field goal percentage (.398) and in 3-pointers made per game (7.6). Michigan State also tops the league in turnover margin (+3.5). MSU is also second in scoring offense, averaging 79.4 ppg, just shy of Iowa's leading 80.5 ppg, along with scoring margin (+13.8), assists (20.4 apg), assist/turnover ratio (1.4). Additionally, the Spartans are third in field goal percentage (.465) and steals (8.8 spg).
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 13-0 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 eight times.
LOOKING AT THE TOP 25
Despite losses last week, the Spartans stand No. 22 in the AP poll and No. 21 in the USA Today Coaches' poll. This is the seventh-straight game that Michigan State has been ranked.
MCCUTCHEON MAKING HER MARK
With three assists against No. 20 Rutgers on Jan. 20, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon remains alone in fifth in career helpers with 434 in just three seasons. She passed Tamika Matlock (1995-97) who had 403. McCutcheon is just nine 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 fifth in the Big Ten and 62nd in the NCAA with 4.8 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.
CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 187 of their last 198 games (.944) when leading with five minutes left, including 137 of their last 150. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 222-17 (.929) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 14-1 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 63rd in the nation and fifth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 4.8 apg, along with 42nd in the nation and fifth in the league in total assists (92). McCutcheon is also 28th in the country and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.431). Senior center Jenna Allen is 44th in the country and sixth in the league in field-goal percentage with a 54.1 percentage.
As a team, MSU is fourth in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assists per game, averaging 20.4. Iowa is first in the nation with 22.2 apg. Michigan State is also sixth in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 39.8 percent behind the arc. The Spartans are also 20th in the country and second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, netting 79.4 points per game, as well as ranking 33rd in the nation and second in the league in scoring margin at +13.8. MSU is 18th in the country and third in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 46.5 percent from the field.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
As of Tuesday, the Big Ten ranked No. 4 in the NCAA RPI (Ratings Percentage Index). In addition, nine Big Ten schools are among the top 80 in the NCAA team RPI rankings, including three in the top 25 and six in the top 50. Iowa leads the group at No. 12, followed by No. 16 Rutgers and No. 24 Maryland. Michigan State is next at No. 28, with Indiana at No. 29, Purdue at No. 33, Michigan at No. 63, Nebraska at No. 72 and Northwestern at No. 80.
Seven Big Ten schools are appearing in one or both of the major national polls this week, with four ranked in the Top 25 of both the Associated Press and WBCA/USA Today polls, led by No. 11/10 Maryland. Rutgers is next at No. 14/18, joined by No. 17/15 Iowa and No. 23/21 Michigan State. In addition, Minnesota is receiving votes in both polls, while Indiana is earning votes in the latest AP poll and Purdue is doing likewise in the coaches' poll.
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 78 -32 (70.9%) 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 15 of 18 games this season. MSU has won 132 of its last 146 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 150-22 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 14-1 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 fourth in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation in attendance, averaging 5,306 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 6,619 fans per game, while South Carolina is first in the nation with 11,037 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 Michigan on Jan. 27, the Spartan will return home to the Breslin Center for a pair of home games. The Spartans will take on Penn State on Thursday, Jan. 31 on National Girls and Women in Sports Day. MSU will also face Purdue on Sunday, Feb. 3 for its annual Think Pink game.
LAST TIME OUT
Using a fast start and five players in double figures, the No. 23/21 Michigan State women's basketball team breezed past Illinois, 77-60, at the Breslin Center Thursday night. The Spartans have now won 14-straight games at home, dating back to last season.
With the win, Michigan State improves to 14-5 overall and evens out its Big Ten record at 4-4. Illinois falls to 9-10 overall and 1-7 in league contests. The Spartans have now won seven-straight games against the Illini dating back to 2014.
Michigan State was led by a quintet of players in double figures, including three players with 14 points in senior center Jenna Allen, redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley and junior guard Taryn McCutcheon. Sophomore guard Sidney Cooks also added 12 points and five rebounds in her first start of the season, while redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines scored 11 points off the bench.
Brandi Beasley was the leading scorer for Illinois with 15 points, as she reached the 1,000 point mark for her career. Cierra Rice added 10 points for the Illini. MSU held Illinois' leading scorer, Alex Wittinger to only seven points, well below her season average of 15.9 ppg. By holding Illinois to 60 points, MSU improved to 7-0 this season when holding the opponent to 60 or fewer points.
POST-GAME NOTES VS. ILLINOIS
• MSU's starting lineup of junior guards Shay Colley and Taryn McCutcheon, sophomore forward Sidney Cooks, freshman guard Nia Clouden and senior center Jenna Allen was the first time this season that the Spartans have started with that quintet, as Cooks was making her first start of the season ... It was Cooks' 23rd career start.
• McCutcheon made her 19th start of the season and 84th of her career ... Allen recorded her 19th start of the season and 46th of her career ... Colley started for the 12th time this season and made the 34th start of her career ... Clouden posted her 19th start of the season.
• Allen, McCutcheon and Clouden have started all 19 games this season and are joined by junior forward Victoria Gaines in playing all 19 games.
• Michigan State is now 11-0 this season at home this season and have a 14-game home winning streak dating back to last year.
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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