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B1G Preview: Maryland, and Michigan, and Minnesota…..oh my!

By Jasmine Brown

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach Kenin McGuff holds up the Big Ten Championship trophy after defeating the Maryland Terrapins during the Big Ten Women's Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Maryland Terrapins on March 4, 2018, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Maryland Terrapins 79-69. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach Kenin McGuff holds up the Big Ten Championship trophy after defeating the Maryland Terrapins during the Big Ten Women's Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Maryland Terrapins on March 4, 2018, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Maryland Terrapins 79-69. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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February 05 2016: Michigan State coach Suzy Merchant during a Big 10 women’s basketball match at Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland. Maryland defeated Michigan State 85-76. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
February 05 2016: Michigan State coach Suzy Merchant during a Big 10 women’s basketball match at Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland. Maryland defeated Michigan State 85-76. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Predicted finish: 10th

Previous record: 17-13, 7-9 B1G

Key returners: 

G- Shay Colley: 5’9 RSJr. 12.4 PPG, 4.3 APG, 32 MPG

Newcomers: 

PG- Nia Clouden 5’8 (Owing Mills, Maryland) Fr.  (no. 42 on ESPN Hoopgurlz)

G- Tory Ozment, 6’1 (Buford, California) Fr. 

F- Kayla Belles 6’3 (Ithaca, Michigan) Fr. 

Key non-conference games:

11/28: Virginia

12/9: Oregon

Head coach: Suzy Merchant- 12th season

Suzy Merchant has been one of the more successful coaches in the B1G. During her tenure at MSU, she has failed to makethe postseason just once. Michigan State has won two regular season titles under Merchant. One fun thing to look out for this season is Merchant facing her former Spartan in Tori Jankoska, now on the Maryland staff.

Outlook:

Michigan State lost freshman guard Claire Hendrickson in October of last year and it seemed a big piece of their offense would be lost. Despite their setback last season, they managed to give teams fits, beating Maryland for the first time. They were in the middle of the pack as far as field goal percentage at 43%, but this roster has room to improve there. Incoming post player Kayla Belles can help inside. Also, getting Hendrickson back would be a great boost for the Spartans. Merchant will basically have a new team, with the upside that provides.

Best case scenario: Claire Hendrickson and Shay Colley will lead the team to a great season and they return the Spartans to the NCAA field.

Worst case scenario: Shay Colley would be left alone to carry the offense. The team will not be able to sustain the same energy and reach the WNIT.

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