EAST LANSING- Since No. 20 Michigan State traveled to Ann Arbor and blew out rival Michigan, both teams have had their ups and downs heading into the grudge match.
The following week MSU started with a tough home loss to Oregon and ended it with a comfortable victory at Northwestern. After a major offensive struggle against the Ducks, MSU re-established their scoring ability against the Wildcats with five players in double figures.
Leading the offensive charge was an established threat in junior forward Grace VanSlooten, recently named a top ten candidate for the Cheryll Miller Award, finishing with 20 points along with six rebounds and four steals. Joining her near the top was graduate guard Nyla Hampton who became a spark plug off the bench. She finished with 16 points on 6-8 shooting, five assists, and three steals.
While it was Hampton who caught fire against NU, junior guards Jocelyn Tate and Theryn Hallock have also become that third weapon through conference play. While Hallock put away the Wolverines in the first matchup and has been the most consistent of recent, MSU needs a backcourt piece to step up. One of these three needs to join graduate guard Julia Ayrault to create separation and contend with UM’s stacked backcourt.
The Spartans also need to replicate their second half success against UM by speeding up the game. In the first contest, this caused offensive frustration for the Wolverines while the Spartans found better spacing in the paint and open looks from outside. Offensive fluidity for MSU has been a driving factor all season, as they rank second in the Big Ten in both assists per game at 19 and points per game at 82.
Remaining fast and fluid is imperative for this Spartans squad who can grow stagnant at a muddier pace. UM could only sustain this for a half by getting the Spartans in foul trouble while UO controlled an entire game. Oregon was able to make the Spartans uncomfortable through a press of their own, forced misses from everywhere on the other end, and shot well enough to stay ahead. MSU hopes a full week of preparation for the Wolverines can keep the offense on track and give them a real edge.
“I think we get a little time to focus on us, which I think we need right now,” MSU head coach Robyn Fralick said after the NU win. “This is a good time where we can get a little time to zoom in on us.”
Scouting Michigan
While UM also took a loss following the first rivalry matchup against Wisconsin, the Wolverines have found some confidence after two blowout wins over Oregon and Nebraska. Not only did UM take down these teams by a margin of 32 and 18, but these teams also make up two of MSU’s three conference losses.
While MSU has a clear advantage on the block, UM’s win streak has been facilitated by a stellar group in the backcourt. The freshman guard trio of Olivia Olsen, Syla Swords, and Mila Holloway have all crossed the 20-point mark when their last two games are combined. This is also true for senior guards Greta Kamschroeder and Jordan Hobbs.
The Wolverines have also bounced back in three-point shooting since going 10-27 against MSU. Now combining for 43.9% over their last two games and well above their season average of 35.8%, which is still good for third in the B1G.
While UM’s main shot makers were held relatively in check by the Spartan, the Wolverines are now on a heater. For UM to not only keep it close but get the road win, all five of their top guards need to stay hot and limit turnovers.
16.4 TO’s a game is the fifth most in conference as UM is up against the Spartans who rank eighth in turnovers forced per game. Taking care of the ball will allow the Wolverines to take a slow, methodical approach on offense and limit Spartan scoring opportunities. UM now also has experience against MSU’s press and trap defense, whether they figured out how to break it remains to be seen.
The in-state rivalry is renewed in the Breslin Center on Sunday, with tip-off set for 2 p.m. Jacob Maurer and Kyle Keegan will be on the call for Impact 89 FM.
