Thursday, January 21
East Lansing, Mich.
6 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Indiana
MSU Concludes Road Trip at No. 16/15 Indiana Sunday
1/30/2021 12:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Spartans have played three-straight games on the road.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball will conclude a three-game road trip against No. 16/15 Indiana on Jan. 31 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, with Mike Hall and Christy Winters Scott on the call for the Big Ten Network. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. The Spartans are 9-3 overall and 4-3 in Big Ten action after a loss to No. 7/10 Maryland on Jan. 28. Indiana stands 9-4 overall and 7-2 in B1G play after a loss to Ohio State on Thursday.
• The Spartans are looking for their first win in Bloomington since 2017 when MSU captured a 68-46 victory. This should have been the second meeting between MSU and IU with the first game scheduled for Jan. 21. The game was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Spartan program.
• With road Big Ten wins against Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin, the Spartans won their opening three road league contests for the first time since the 2013-14 season. Michigan State's first Big Ten road loss came against Maryland on Jan. 28.
• After 12 games, the Spartans are currently seventh in the nation and second in the Big Ten in assists per game (19.9 apg) and sixth in the NCAA and second in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.5).
• Junior guard Nia Clouden scored her 1,000th career point against Maryland on Jan. 7. She now has 1,062 points in her MSU career, Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) with 1,034 points for No. 27 on the all-time list. She is now just 13 points away from tying Jamie Wesley with 1,075 points.
SCOUTING THE HOOSIERS
No. 16/15 Indiana hosts Michigan State with a 9-4 overall record, standing 7-2 in Big Ten action. All of Indiana's losses came against teams that are currently ranked in Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland and Ohio State. On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Hoosiers dropped a close battle with Ohio State, 78-70, at home. Grace Berger and Mackenzie Holmes both had double-doubles in the loss to No. 14 Ohio State.
The Hoosiers are one of the nation's leaders in fewest turnovers per game, recording just 10.8 miscues per game, which ranks fourth in the nation and second in the Big Ten. Mackenzie Holmes is one of the NCAA's leaders in blocked shots. Her 38 total blocks ranks ninth in the country and her 2.9 blocks per game ranks 12th overall.
Indiana is second in the Big Ten in scoring defense, allowing only 57.8 ppg. They also stand fourth in scoring margin (+17.7). Holmes is seventh in scoring, averaging 17.8 ppg., while Berger is 16th with 16.1 ppg.
SERIES HISTORY VS. INDIANA
Michigan State holds the overall series lead with Indiana 48-29, including a 21-16 advantage in Bloomington. The Spartans have a 23-11 edge in East Lansing. The series has grown much tighter the last few years. Michigan State is looking for its first win in Bloomington since 2017. The Hoosiers have won three of the last four overall meetings. Prior to that the Spartans had won three of four outings. Last season in Bloomington, Michigan State lost its Big Ten opener to Indiana, 79-67. In that game Taryn McCutcheon scored her 1,000th career point.
LAST TIME VS. INDIANA
Despite senior guard Taryn McCutcheon reaching 1,000 career points, Michigan State women's basketball dropped its Big Ten opener to No. 14 Indiana, 79-67, on Dec. 28, 2019 in Bloomington.
Late in the second quarter, McCutcheon drained a three to become the 28th member of the 1,000-point club and the first since Jenna Allen last season. The senior also led the team in scoring with 15 points.
Aside from McCutcheon, three Spartans reached double figures in sophomore guard Nia Clouden and redshirt-senior forward Victoria Gaines, who both added 12 points. Freshman guard Julia Ayrault also added 10 points. McCutcheon and Ayrault were the Spartan leaders on the boards with six each.
BEST OF THE BEST
Junior guard Nia Clouden joins a select group of company as one of only three players in the Big Ten that are in the top 10 in points, assists and steals per game. Clouden is fifth in scoring (19.1 ppg), sixth in assists (5.0 apg) and ninth in steals (2.0 spg). Rutgers' Arella Guirantes is third in scoring (22.5 ppg), fifth in assists (5.4) and second steals (3.1 spg.). Northwestern's Veronica Burton rounds out the list. She is 10th in scoring (17.6 ppg), sixth in assists (4.8 apg) and first in steals (4.4 spg.)
BEING YOUR BEST AGAINST THE BEST
Redshirt-senior forward Mardrekia Cook netted a season-high 11 points and her second double-digit scoring outing of the season, both coming in her last four games and both coming against Maryland, with 10 points in this season's first match-up with the Terps on Jan. 7 in East Lansing. Cook now has 13 double-figure scoring outings in her career.
JOINING THE CLUB
Against Maryland on Jan. 7, Nia Clouden scored her 1,000th career point with a jumper from the left wing with 9:43 left in the third quarter for her 14th point in the game. Clouden became the 29th player in MSU women's basketball history to reach the 1,000 career points plateau. She now has 1,062 points in her Spartan career, climbing up to No. 26 on the MSU career scoring list, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) with 1,034 points.
She became the seventh player in the last seven years to reach the 1,000-point mark.
Years Player Points
2020-21 Nia Clouden 1,062
2019-20 Taryn McCutcheon 1,119
2018-19 Jenna Allen 1,098
2017-18 Branndais Agee 1,250
2015-16 Tori Jankoska 2,212
2014-15 Aerial Powers 1,817
2014-15 Becca Mills 1,157
LENDING A HELPING HAND
Sophomore guard Moira Joiner has been lending a hand with junior guard Tory Ozment out of the lineup the last two games. Joiner has averaged 7.0 points along with 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists the last two games. She collected a season-high six rebounds to lead MSU on the boards, the first time this season and fourth of her career that she was the Spartans' leading rebounder against Maryland on Jan. 28. Against Wisconsin on Jan. 24, she reached double figures with 10 points. It was her third double-figure scoring game of the season.
GETTING THE BIG WIN
MSU's 32-point margin of victory against Wisconsin on Jan 24 was not only its largest in a B1G game this season, but also the Spartans' largest margin of victory in a B1G game under head coach Suzy Merchant. It was MSU's fourth 30-point margin of victory under Merchant, joining 31 vs. Northwestern, 3/4/11; 30 vs. Indiana, 2/13/13 and 30 vs. Northwestern, 1/3/18.
THE STARTING 5
Nia Clouden is the only Spartan to have started all 12 games this season, making her 75th career start in playing in her 75th career game. Janai Crooms and Alisia Smith both made their second starts of their Spartan career against Maryland as the duo both transferred to MSU from Ohio State and Penn State, respectively, in the offseason. Crooms played in her 10th game in a Green & White jersey, while Smith was playing in her sixth game on Sunday. Julia Ayrault and Alyza Winston made their ninth starts of their careers, all in the last ninth games this season.
HOLDING ONTO THE BALL
After zero turnovers in the first half against Wisconsin on Jan. 24, the Spartans finished by committing just a season-low five turnovers, their second single-digit miscue total of the season, behind seven vs. Central Michigan (12/18/20).
IN THE LOSSES
There have been a few trends in MSU's three losses this season. Opponents have come out with fasts starts, out-scoring the Spartans 137-93 in the first half in the three losses. Michigan State has responded nicely in the second half, trailing the second half 116-110. Nia Clouden has come through in the losses, averaging 20.3 ppg with 3.0 apg. Julia Ayrault is second in scoring with 9.3 ppg.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Around the Big Ten, Nia Clouden ranks fifth in scoring (19.1 ppg), as well as standing ninth in assists (4.6 spg). She is also ninth in steals with 2.0 spg. Junior guard Tory Ozment is third in assist/turnover ratio (2.9.). Sophomore Julia Ayrault is sixth in blocks (1.3), while fellow sophomore Alyza Winston is tied for eighth in 3-pointers made (2.1/game).
As a team, the Spartans are second in assists (19.9 apg), third in steals (9.5 spg) and fourth in blocks (4.3 bpg).
FILLING OUT THE ROSTER
During the month of December, Michigan State had three player become eligible. Junior guard Janai Crooms, a transfer from Ohio State, was cleared to play on Dec. 4 and has had an immediate impact. Against Oakland on Dec. 22, she had a season-high 10 rebounds. Penn State transfers Alisia Smith and Jayla James found out they were eligible on Dec. 22, just in time to play against Oakland. Smith, a junior forward, scored nine points in her Spartan debut.
SPARTANS AGAINST THE NCAA
After 11 games, the Spartans are currently seventh in the nation and second in the Big Ten in assists per game (19.9 apg) and sixth in the NCAA and second in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.5). Michigan State is 35th and fifth in the Big Ten in turnover margin +4.6 margin.
ERASE HATE
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant is proud to launch the Erase Hate campaign for the 2020-21 season. The Erase Hate campaign aims to put the focus on student-athlete driven programming to address social injustice issues. Throughout this season, women's basketball players work to help lift up the voices of underrepresented groups both on campus and across the Greater Lansing area.
MASK UP, MICHIGAN
Things will look very different in the Breslin Center to start the season. Currently, there will be no fans in the stands. Starting with the game on Jan. 7, a limited number of family member of the players will be allowed. Crowd noise will be piped and the music will be going to get the players hyped up. From the comfort of home, fans can look for familiar faces in the cardboard cutouts in the stands. All postgame media will be done via Zoom this year.
MAGIC NUMBERS
In head coach Suzy Merchant's tenure, when two numbers on the scoreboard were achieved it typically has been a sign of a MSU win. The Green & White have won 155 of their last 175 games (.886) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 173-29 (.856) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 9-1 this season when reaching the 70-point mark with the only loss coming against Maryland on Jan. 7.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 218 of its last 231 games (.944) when leading with five minutes left, including 168 of their last 183. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 253-19 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 9-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Five Big Ten programs, the second-most of any Division I conference, are appearing in the latest Associated Press and Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)/USA Today Top 25 polls, with two others receiving votes in one or both polls. Nine different Big Ten teams have been ranked or receiving votes in one or both polls at some point this season. The Spartans' received votes in the WBCA/USA Today poll.
CLOUDEN EARNS PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State junior guard Nia Clouden has been named Preseason All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media. During the 2019-20 campaign, Clouden finished the season first on the team in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game, which was also eighth in the Big Ten. She also tied for 14th in the league in assists (3.3 apg) and 11th in steals (1.7 spg). Last season, Clouden captured second-team All-Big Big Ten honors after being named to the honorable mention squad as a freshman.
• The Spartans are looking for their first win in Bloomington since 2017 when MSU captured a 68-46 victory. This should have been the second meeting between MSU and IU with the first game scheduled for Jan. 21. The game was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Spartan program.
• With road Big Ten wins against Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin, the Spartans won their opening three road league contests for the first time since the 2013-14 season. Michigan State's first Big Ten road loss came against Maryland on Jan. 28.
• After 12 games, the Spartans are currently seventh in the nation and second in the Big Ten in assists per game (19.9 apg) and sixth in the NCAA and second in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.5).
• Junior guard Nia Clouden scored her 1,000th career point against Maryland on Jan. 7. She now has 1,062 points in her MSU career, Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) with 1,034 points for No. 27 on the all-time list. She is now just 13 points away from tying Jamie Wesley with 1,075 points.
SCOUTING THE HOOSIERS
No. 16/15 Indiana hosts Michigan State with a 9-4 overall record, standing 7-2 in Big Ten action. All of Indiana's losses came against teams that are currently ranked in Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland and Ohio State. On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Hoosiers dropped a close battle with Ohio State, 78-70, at home. Grace Berger and Mackenzie Holmes both had double-doubles in the loss to No. 14 Ohio State.
The Hoosiers are one of the nation's leaders in fewest turnovers per game, recording just 10.8 miscues per game, which ranks fourth in the nation and second in the Big Ten. Mackenzie Holmes is one of the NCAA's leaders in blocked shots. Her 38 total blocks ranks ninth in the country and her 2.9 blocks per game ranks 12th overall.
Indiana is second in the Big Ten in scoring defense, allowing only 57.8 ppg. They also stand fourth in scoring margin (+17.7). Holmes is seventh in scoring, averaging 17.8 ppg., while Berger is 16th with 16.1 ppg.
SERIES HISTORY VS. INDIANA
Michigan State holds the overall series lead with Indiana 48-29, including a 21-16 advantage in Bloomington. The Spartans have a 23-11 edge in East Lansing. The series has grown much tighter the last few years. Michigan State is looking for its first win in Bloomington since 2017. The Hoosiers have won three of the last four overall meetings. Prior to that the Spartans had won three of four outings. Last season in Bloomington, Michigan State lost its Big Ten opener to Indiana, 79-67. In that game Taryn McCutcheon scored her 1,000th career point.
LAST TIME VS. INDIANA
Despite senior guard Taryn McCutcheon reaching 1,000 career points, Michigan State women's basketball dropped its Big Ten opener to No. 14 Indiana, 79-67, on Dec. 28, 2019 in Bloomington.
Late in the second quarter, McCutcheon drained a three to become the 28th member of the 1,000-point club and the first since Jenna Allen last season. The senior also led the team in scoring with 15 points.
Aside from McCutcheon, three Spartans reached double figures in sophomore guard Nia Clouden and redshirt-senior forward Victoria Gaines, who both added 12 points. Freshman guard Julia Ayrault also added 10 points. McCutcheon and Ayrault were the Spartan leaders on the boards with six each.
BEST OF THE BEST
Junior guard Nia Clouden joins a select group of company as one of only three players in the Big Ten that are in the top 10 in points, assists and steals per game. Clouden is fifth in scoring (19.1 ppg), sixth in assists (5.0 apg) and ninth in steals (2.0 spg). Rutgers' Arella Guirantes is third in scoring (22.5 ppg), fifth in assists (5.4) and second steals (3.1 spg.). Northwestern's Veronica Burton rounds out the list. She is 10th in scoring (17.6 ppg), sixth in assists (4.8 apg) and first in steals (4.4 spg.)
BEING YOUR BEST AGAINST THE BEST
Redshirt-senior forward Mardrekia Cook netted a season-high 11 points and her second double-digit scoring outing of the season, both coming in her last four games and both coming against Maryland, with 10 points in this season's first match-up with the Terps on Jan. 7 in East Lansing. Cook now has 13 double-figure scoring outings in her career.
JOINING THE CLUB
Against Maryland on Jan. 7, Nia Clouden scored her 1,000th career point with a jumper from the left wing with 9:43 left in the third quarter for her 14th point in the game. Clouden became the 29th player in MSU women's basketball history to reach the 1,000 career points plateau. She now has 1,062 points in her Spartan career, climbing up to No. 26 on the MSU career scoring list, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) with 1,034 points.
She became the seventh player in the last seven years to reach the 1,000-point mark.
Years Player Points
2020-21 Nia Clouden 1,062
2019-20 Taryn McCutcheon 1,119
2018-19 Jenna Allen 1,098
2017-18 Branndais Agee 1,250
2015-16 Tori Jankoska 2,212
2014-15 Aerial Powers 1,817
2014-15 Becca Mills 1,157
LENDING A HELPING HAND
Sophomore guard Moira Joiner has been lending a hand with junior guard Tory Ozment out of the lineup the last two games. Joiner has averaged 7.0 points along with 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists the last two games. She collected a season-high six rebounds to lead MSU on the boards, the first time this season and fourth of her career that she was the Spartans' leading rebounder against Maryland on Jan. 28. Against Wisconsin on Jan. 24, she reached double figures with 10 points. It was her third double-figure scoring game of the season.
GETTING THE BIG WIN
MSU's 32-point margin of victory against Wisconsin on Jan 24 was not only its largest in a B1G game this season, but also the Spartans' largest margin of victory in a B1G game under head coach Suzy Merchant. It was MSU's fourth 30-point margin of victory under Merchant, joining 31 vs. Northwestern, 3/4/11; 30 vs. Indiana, 2/13/13 and 30 vs. Northwestern, 1/3/18.
THE STARTING 5
Nia Clouden is the only Spartan to have started all 12 games this season, making her 75th career start in playing in her 75th career game. Janai Crooms and Alisia Smith both made their second starts of their Spartan career against Maryland as the duo both transferred to MSU from Ohio State and Penn State, respectively, in the offseason. Crooms played in her 10th game in a Green & White jersey, while Smith was playing in her sixth game on Sunday. Julia Ayrault and Alyza Winston made their ninth starts of their careers, all in the last ninth games this season.
HOLDING ONTO THE BALL
After zero turnovers in the first half against Wisconsin on Jan. 24, the Spartans finished by committing just a season-low five turnovers, their second single-digit miscue total of the season, behind seven vs. Central Michigan (12/18/20).
IN THE LOSSES
There have been a few trends in MSU's three losses this season. Opponents have come out with fasts starts, out-scoring the Spartans 137-93 in the first half in the three losses. Michigan State has responded nicely in the second half, trailing the second half 116-110. Nia Clouden has come through in the losses, averaging 20.3 ppg with 3.0 apg. Julia Ayrault is second in scoring with 9.3 ppg.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Around the Big Ten, Nia Clouden ranks fifth in scoring (19.1 ppg), as well as standing ninth in assists (4.6 spg). She is also ninth in steals with 2.0 spg. Junior guard Tory Ozment is third in assist/turnover ratio (2.9.). Sophomore Julia Ayrault is sixth in blocks (1.3), while fellow sophomore Alyza Winston is tied for eighth in 3-pointers made (2.1/game).
As a team, the Spartans are second in assists (19.9 apg), third in steals (9.5 spg) and fourth in blocks (4.3 bpg).
FILLING OUT THE ROSTER
During the month of December, Michigan State had three player become eligible. Junior guard Janai Crooms, a transfer from Ohio State, was cleared to play on Dec. 4 and has had an immediate impact. Against Oakland on Dec. 22, she had a season-high 10 rebounds. Penn State transfers Alisia Smith and Jayla James found out they were eligible on Dec. 22, just in time to play against Oakland. Smith, a junior forward, scored nine points in her Spartan debut.
SPARTANS AGAINST THE NCAA
After 11 games, the Spartans are currently seventh in the nation and second in the Big Ten in assists per game (19.9 apg) and sixth in the NCAA and second in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.5). Michigan State is 35th and fifth in the Big Ten in turnover margin +4.6 margin.
ERASE HATE
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant is proud to launch the Erase Hate campaign for the 2020-21 season. The Erase Hate campaign aims to put the focus on student-athlete driven programming to address social injustice issues. Throughout this season, women's basketball players work to help lift up the voices of underrepresented groups both on campus and across the Greater Lansing area.
MASK UP, MICHIGAN
Things will look very different in the Breslin Center to start the season. Currently, there will be no fans in the stands. Starting with the game on Jan. 7, a limited number of family member of the players will be allowed. Crowd noise will be piped and the music will be going to get the players hyped up. From the comfort of home, fans can look for familiar faces in the cardboard cutouts in the stands. All postgame media will be done via Zoom this year.
MAGIC NUMBERS
In head coach Suzy Merchant's tenure, when two numbers on the scoreboard were achieved it typically has been a sign of a MSU win. The Green & White have won 155 of their last 175 games (.886) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 173-29 (.856) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 9-1 this season when reaching the 70-point mark with the only loss coming against Maryland on Jan. 7.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 218 of its last 231 games (.944) when leading with five minutes left, including 168 of their last 183. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 253-19 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 9-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Five Big Ten programs, the second-most of any Division I conference, are appearing in the latest Associated Press and Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)/USA Today Top 25 polls, with two others receiving votes in one or both polls. Nine different Big Ten teams have been ranked or receiving votes in one or both polls at some point this season. The Spartans' received votes in the WBCA/USA Today poll.
CLOUDEN EARNS PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State junior guard Nia Clouden has been named Preseason All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media. During the 2019-20 campaign, Clouden finished the season first on the team in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game, which was also eighth in the Big Ten. She also tied for 14th in the league in assists (3.3 apg) and 11th in steals (1.7 spg). Last season, Clouden captured second-team All-Big Big Ten honors after being named to the honorable mention squad as a freshman.
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