EAST LANSING– After getting back on track with a home victory over Purdue, Michigan State looks to start a new winning streak by taking on Nebraska.  

The Spartans also have an opportunity for a quality Big Ten win that could impact their NCAA tournament resume, as the Cornhuskers rank 34th in the NET. If MSU can earn the road victory, it will qualify as a quad one win.   

While MSU has an established star with graduate guard Julia Ayrault, the emergence of senior guard Jocelyn Tate could be another addition to an already strong position group for the Spartans.  

Against the Boilermakers, Tate made it her game of the season by recording 19 points and 11 rebounds. Not only did Tate earn her first double-double of the season, she also secured a career high in points. Assisting her in the victory, Ayrault remained consistent by also recording a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. 

If Tate and the other core of guards can maintain a high level of play along with Ayrault, the Spartans may be able to unlock a new gear heading into the rest of conference play.  

An elevated backcourt may also open up an already dominant frontcourt, spearheaded by junior forward Grace VanSlooten. Not only does she average 13.5 points per game, ranking second for the Spartans, she’s also a great two-way player who leads the team in blocks on the season with 18.  

Freshman center Inés Sotelo is also a rising piece for MSU and can impact their ability on the block. Sotelo is coming off the game of her young career against PU, finishing second in scoring with 16 and bringing down five offensive rebounds with three steals.   

However, this group will have to contend with a Nebraska squad with some serious post presence. 

Scouting Nebraska 

While the Cornhuskers lost sophomore forward Natalie Potts to a torn ACL in November, senior center Alexis Markowski has stepped up in her absence. She’s the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 13.5 points and eight rebounds per game.  

 MSU’s defense is also tasked with containing UN’s outside shooting ability. The Cornhuskers lead the Big Ten in three-point percentage, hitting at a 36.1% mark. The biggest threats from deep come from the guard pair of senior Alberte Rimdal and freshman Britt Prince, who shot 44% and 40% from three respectively.   

To halt the inside-outside production from the Cornhuskers, the Spartans will turn to one of their best assets as a team. MSU’s disruptive trap defense not only takes away opponent possessions but rarely allows an offense to get into rhythm if they can get it up the floor.  

In the conference, the Spartans are second in steals and blocks per game. On the national scale, MSU is seventh in turnovers forced and eighth in turnover margin.   

While the Spartans can improve their own ball control offensively, the havoc caused by their defense has the ability to flip the game in their favor. Especially against a well-rounded offense like UN’s.  

Tip-off between the Spartans and Cornhuskers is set for 8 p.m. ET from Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday, with the game being broadcasted on Big Ten Plus.