EAST LANSING — Michigan State’s senior guard, Nia Clouden, has been named to the 2021-22 Preseason All-Big Ten team for the second-straight season. This was Clouden’s third-straight All-Big Ten honor after being named to the first team last season as well.

Clouden was the Spartans’ leading scorer in the 2020-21 season and was fifth in the Big Ten, averaging 18.7 points per game. That was good enough for the most points per game by a Michigan State player since Tori Jankoska averaged 22.6 points during the 2016-17 season.

Michigan State finished last season with a 15-9 overall record and made a nice run in the Big Ten tournament before losing in the semifinals to Iowa. The Spartans are returning their top seven players, including the return of both Clouden and star junior guard Alyza Winston.

Maryland was picked to finish first in the conference in both the coaches and the media polls after winning the Big Ten regular season and Big Ten tournament last year. Indiana was picked to finish second in both polls, followed by Iowa in both as well. Hawkeye Caitlin Clark was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year by the coaches poll and Michigan’s superstar Naz Hillmon was chosen by the media.

The Spartans open the 2021-22 season with an exhibition game against Northwood on Sunday at 2 p.m.