One of the best teams in the nation, led by one of the best players in the country, arrives in East Lansing on Wednesday, presenting an opportunity for No. 13 Michigan State women’s basketball (20-4, 9-4 Big Ten) to prove it is ready to take the next step.
With head coach Robyn Fralick at the helm for the past three seasons, leading the Spartans to 20 wins each year, there is no question she can win at the Big Ten level. The question now is whether she can compete for — and win — championships at this level, a question that could be answered quickly with a win over No. 2 UCLA (23-1, 13-0 Pac-12).
Since joining the Big Ten, UCLA has been an unstoppable force, posting a combined 57-4 record over the past two seasons. The Bruins have lost just twice to Big Ten opponents, both coming against USC. UCLA also took care of business in last season’s Big Ten Tournament, defeating USC to claim the conference championship.
After falling to UConn in last season’s Final Four, UCLA has been dominant this year. The Bruins enter Wednesday’s matchup on a 17-game winning streak, with a 23-1 overall record and a perfect 13-0 mark in Pac-12 play, setting up a top-15 showdown with Michigan State.
For MSU, the matchup is not only a must-win to stay in the hunt for the Big Ten regular-season title, but also a chance to show this group is different from years past. Since taking over the program, Fralick has turned the Spartans into consistent winners, but they have yet to win “big.” Under her leadership, MSU has not won a Big Ten Tournament game and has just one NCAA Tournament victory.
A win on Wednesday could signal that this team is ready to take the next step — a task that sounds simple but is anything but, especially with the presence that UCLA senior center Lauren Betts brings to the floor.
Betts is one of the country’s most talented players, averaging 16.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Her skill set, combined with her 6-foot-7 frame, makes her nearly impossible to guard, further complicating a matchup against post players — an area where the Spartans have struggled at times this season.
Betts anchors one of the nation’s most efficient offenses. UCLA averages 86 points per game while shooting 52% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc. The Bruins are surrounded by shooters, with three players shooting at least 40% from 3-point range.
MSU will have its hands full trying to slow UCLA’s scoring, but the Spartans’ ability to force turnovers could be a key factor. Unlike MSU, UCLA’s defense is less aggressive, forcing just 14.5 turnovers per game compared with the Spartans’ 21.6.
If Fralick’s squad can create steals and extra possessions — and convert them into points — the Spartans could take control of the game. Ultimately, the team that plays cleaner is likely to come out on top.
