Michigan State Spartans
Big Ten (20-11, 11-5)
Michigan State did not turn any heads during the non-conference portion of the schedule, but the Spartans did very well during Big Ten play, ending with an 11-5 conference mark. Michigan State had some bad losses, but they had some even bigger wins. This is a team that gave Penn State two of their three conference losses. They also beat Michigan twice and knocked off Purdue and Nebraska. Those are some impressive wins against very good teams.
Big Wins: 1/7 at Penn State (75-65), 2/5 at Michigan (65-63), 2/19 Purdue (67-52)
Bad Losses: 12/21 vs Pittsburgh (54-64), 1/19 at Minnesota (65-71), 1/26 Illinois (62-71)
Coach: Suzy Merchant (5 seasons at Michigan State)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Spartans are a very good rebounding team thanks to forward Lykendra Johnson. Johnson will often be surrounded by four guards, but she still gets the job done on the glass. Johnson, a 6-1 senior, does not have the sheer size to dominate the paint, but she is a smart player who knows how to be effective. Johnson is a quality scorer in the paint as well and is an all-around good defender. Coach Suzy Merchant has Becca Mills, Courtney Schiffauer, Annalise Pickrel and Jasmine Hines to help out in the frontcourt. Mills is a versatile scorer who can stretch out the defense, but the entire frontcourt helps out in the rebounding department. Even the backcourt will get in on the rebounding. Leading scorer Porsche Poole is more known for her scoring and passing, but she will spend enough time around the basket to nab some rebounds.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The backcourt has plenty of talent, but there are some concerns. Taylor Alton is a good outside shooter, but she is really the only consistent long range threat on the team and she is not that consistent. If Alton’s shot is not falling, Michigan State will not hit many three-pointers and that causes the defense to collapse in the paint to stop Johnson under the basket and Poole from slashing to the basket. Kiana Johnson is a great talent and has done a very good job running the show. However, she is just a freshman and this is a team that can commit too many turnovers. When the bright lights of March are shining, those turnovers could become a big problem.
Probable Starters:
Kiana Johnson, Freshman, Guard, 7.2 ppg, 4.1 apg
Klarissa Bell, Sophomore, Guard, 3.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Porsche Poole, Senior, Guard, 13.5 ppg, 3.5 apg
Taylor Alton, Senior, Guard, 8.0 ppg, 1.0 apg
Lykendra Johnson, Senior, Forward, 11.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Jasmine Hines, Freshman, Center, 5.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg
Becca Mills, Freshman, Forward, 7.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Annalise Pickrel, Sophomore, Forward, 2.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Courtney Schiffauer, Junior, Forward, 4.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Jasmine Thomas, Junior, Guard, 5.1 ppg, 1.8 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.5 (76th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 59.2 (116, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.2 (42, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.0 (137, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.0 (73, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.3 (83, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.4 (236, 12)
Rebound Margin: 7.0 (21, 1)
Assists Per Game: 14.3 (59, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 16.4 (107, 5)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
Michigan State 2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Northern Iowa
Michigan State 2011 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Green Bay
Michigan State 2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Bowling Green
Michigan State 2010 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Kentucky
Michigan State 2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Middle Tennessee State
Michigan State 2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over Duke
Michigan State 2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Iowa State
Michigan State 2008 NIT Second Round win over Bowling Green
Michigan State 2008 NIT Third Round win over Kansas
Michigan State 2008 NIT Fourth Round win over Michigan
Michigan State 2008 NIT Semifinal win over North Carolina State
Michigan State 2008 NIT Final loss to Marquette
Michigan State 2007 NCAA Round o 64 win over Delaware
Michigan State 2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Rutgers
*all team stats through 3/1
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
