Michigan State Welcomes Nebraska for Thursday’s Ranked Showdown
Michigan State University’s women’s basketball team is set to host Nebraska in a highly anticipated matchup. The game is scheduled for Thursday, January 15, at 7 p.m. ET at the Breslin Center. The Spartans, ranked No. 15/14, enter the contest with a remarkable 16-1 record, while Nebraska holds a 14-3 overall mark. This will be a key showdown in the Big Ten conference.
Current Performance of Michigan State
The Spartans are enjoying an impressive eight-game winning streak. Their latest victory came against Oregon, where they triumphed 85-81 on January 11. In that match, Rashunda Jones led the team with 23 points, marking her season-high scoring performance.
Michigan State Statistics
- Overall record: 16-1
- Big Ten record: 5-1
- Points per game: 83.6
- Points allowed per game: 63.5
- Field goal percentage: 47.7%
- Three-point shooting percentage: 35.8%
Historically, this is Michigan State’s best start since the 2010-11 season. In comparison, Nebraska’s recent performance has been mixed; they lost to No. 3 UCLA recently, ending a two-game winning streak.
Scouting Nebraska
Ranked No. 24, Nebraska has a balanced team with key players contributing significantly. Britt Prince leads the Cornhuskers, averaging 18.3 points per game, which places her eighth in the Big Ten. Jessica Petrie supports the scoring effort with 12.2 points per game.
Nebraska Team Statistics
- Overall record: 14-3
- Big Ten record: 3-3
- Points per game: 84.4
- Points allowed per game: 62.6
- Field goal percentage: 50.1%
Historical Matchup Insights
In the all-time series, Nebraska leads Michigan State 13-6. The Huskers have won the last three encounters. Their most recent victory over the Spartans was an 85-80 game in Lincoln last season. However, Michigan State has an edge when playing at home, with a 5-4 record against Nebraska in East Lansing.
Head Coach and Team Milestones
Michigan State’s head coach, Robyn Fralick, recently achieved a career milestone with her 250th win against Illinois on January 4, solidifying her success at MSU with a record of 252-96 over 12 seasons. Meanwhile, Grace VanSlooten and Abbey Kimball have been named team captains, marking this significant leadership change for the Spartans this season.
This game against Nebraska will not only showcase the skills of the players but also provide a crucial opportunity for both teams to bolster their standings in the competitive Big Ten landscape.
