EAST LANSING– No. 13 Michigan State women’s basketball has its biggest test of the season, as it takes on No. 2 UCLA Wednesday night. The Spartans snapped a two-game losing streak with an 81-70 win at Penn State on Saturday and now look ahead to face one of the best teams in all of college basketball. 

The Spartans are currently 20-4 on the season, and 9-4 in the Big Ten.  The Spartans will need to bring their A-game to defeat an elite Bruin squad.  MSU will need its stars to step up, and it starts with its big three, who have led them all season. 

Senior forward Grace VanSlooten and sophomore guard Kennedy Blair have been the two main stars, and junior guard Rashunda Jones has been stellar as well.  VanSlooten averages 15.6 ppg and 7.9 rebounds per game.  VanSlooten is also averaging almost two steals and a block per game and has excelled in all areas of the game.  Blair averages 15/7/5 in conference play, along with almost two and a half steals per game, in what has been a breakout season for her.  Jones is averaging 12/4/3 in conference play and is also averaging right around two steals per game. 

The Spartans’ defense will need to be elite to take down UCLA.  So far, opponents are averaging around 63 points per game against MSU and are turning the ball over more than 20 times per game.  MSU’s backcourt press will be vital to slowing down UCLA, and they will need to end possessions before they even start. 

UCLA is ranked second in the country for a reason.  The Bruins are 23-1 overall, with their only loss coming in a neutral site contest vs Texas in November.  UCLA is leading the Big Ten, sitting at 12-0.  UCLA is coming off a narrow 69-66 win at Michigan and now looks ahead to MSU. 

The star of the show has been senior center Lauren Betts.  Betts is averaging 16 points per game and is also averaging eight rebounds, which is fifth in the conference.  Betts is also third in the Big Ten in blocks, blocking over two shots per game.  Betts has been stellar all season and has made life extremely difficult for opponents on both ends of the floor.  UCLA has three other players averaging over 13 ppg, showing depth and team play.  Senior guard Kiki Rice is averaging 15/6/4 this season, along with almost two steals per game.  The main floor general for the Bruins has been graduate senior guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, averaging 5.7 per game. 

UCLA’s defense has been stellar all season.  The Bruins are surrendering an average of just 57 points per game, and opponents are shooting just 36% from the field this season.  UCLA’s opponents are also shooting just 28% from three.  The Bruins force an average of 14 turnovers per game, so the Bruins rely on forcing misses more than turnovers. 

The game is set for 8 p.m. ET at the Breslin Center on Wednesday.  The game will be streamed on Peacock.