EAST LANSING- No. 24 MSU Women’s Basketball is headed to the Big Ten Tournament after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Senior Day last Saturday.  

The win against Minnesota put the Spartans at a six seed heading into the tournament with a 21-8 season record and 11-7 record in conference play. 

Against the Gophers, MSU came out victorious 73-58, with five players scoring in double figures. Junior forward Grace VanSlooten had the team high with 15 points and eight rebounds, followed by freshman center Inés Sotelo and graduate guard Julia Ayrault, Sotelo with 13 points and two rebounds, along with Ayrault recording 13 points and a team high of nine rebounds. 

The Spartans shot 44% from the field and 39.1% from the arc while forcing Minnesota to 17 total turnovers. MSU’s defense halted the fourth quarter rally by the Gophers, earning three steals to go on a 9-0 run and put it away.  

This was a much-needed win for the Spartans after their loss against No. 13 Ohio State the week prior, proving that they could bounce back and keep the momentum going before heading into the Big Ten Tournament.  

The Spartans enter in the second round where they will face 11 seed Iowa, the team who beat 14 seed Wisconsin in the first round, 81-54. The winner of MSU vs. Iowa will go on to face three seed Ohio State in the third round this Friday.  

The Spartans have a huge opportunity at hand. Their overall season record is good enough to earn them a six seed in the NCAA tournament, but winning more games in the Big Ten tournament could potentially earn them a spot at the five seed. 

Last year, MSU was placed as a four seed in the Big Ten tournament, and did not compete until the quarterfinals where they went one and done with a loss to five seed Nebraska. 

With that experience under their belts, it is necessary that the Spartans redeem themselves and prove that they can compete deep into the bracket.  

The Hawkeyes are no stranger to tournament style play, with back-to-back NCAA championship appearances and five Big Ten Tournament titles. 

This is not, however, the same Iowa team without the NCAA Women’s all-time leading scorer Caitlin Clark. Nonetheless, the Hawkeyes have a reputation to uphold, and MSU is guaranteed a battle.  

Scouting Iowa 

Iowa is currently 21-9 on the season and 11-8 in conference play. The Hawkeyes are coming off an 81-54 win over 14 seed Wisconsin in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.  

Iowa’s leading scorer is senior guard Lucy Olsen, who averages 18 points per game and 4.8 assists, followed by junior center Hannah Stuelke, who averages 13 points per game and 7.9 rebounds. Senior guard Sydney Affolter leads the team in rebounds, averaging 8.1 per game. 

Against the Badgers, Iowa shot 55% from the arc with Olsen going 3-4, putting up 19 points and three assists. Junior guard Taylor McCabe, senior guard Kylie Feuerbach, and Affolter all finished with nine points respectively. 

MSU’s defense will need to lock down the perimeter to stop the Hawkeyes efficient shooting and force them inside, there the Spartans must get physical and rebound every chance they get. 

If MSU can give another performance like they did against Minnesota with five players finishing in double figures, their depth will allow them to compete late in the game and hold their own against Iowa.  

Total team basketball has been the heart of the Spartans this season, and now more than ever they will need an entire team effort for what’s ahead. 

No. 24 Michigan State will face off against Iowa at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis this Thursday at 9 p.m. streaming on the Big Ten Network.