Poole said Thursday being her last game in front of the Breslin Center fans still hasn’t sunk in and probably won’t until it’s actually happening.

“Right now it really hasn’t hit me, but I definitely know (Thursday) it’s going to be like, ‘Wow,’” she said. “When they call my name and say, ‘Porschè Poole,’ it’s really going to hit me like this is really the last time I’m going to touch this floor, playing on this court, and it’s definitely crazy.”

Head coach Suzy Merchant said Senior Day can be an awkward time because there’s still the game to play that night and games coming up in the next few weeks.

“You always have those mixed emotions on those days,” she said.

“You’re certainly sad to see them go, … but you know it’s inevitable. The other piece is you still have more basketball to be played, so it’s kind of an odd night in some ways and in other ways it’s an opportunity to really celebrate student-athletes.”

The Spartans had a strong opening in their previous game — a 67-52 victory over No. 17 Purdue — that significantly helped MSU’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament.

As important as the win was, Kiana Johnson said she thinks her team will be able to refocus for Thursday’s matchup.

“We’re just trying to get off that bubble,” the freshman guard said. “We’ve got to win out and taking it one game at a time. … The one thing I can say about this team is we enjoy the moment, but when it’s time to practice, we focus on the next one.”

Nebraska’s lineup features three players that have averaged double figures in points during the conference season, led by the dynamic duo of forward Jordan Hooper — who averages 19.1 points and 10 rebounds per game — and guard Lindsey Moore — who averages 15.9 points and 4.9 assists per game.

Although Nebraska and MSU are tied for third place in the conference, the teams are headed in opposite directions.

The Cornhuskers have lost three of the last four games following an overtime victory over Purdue, and the Spartans have won five of the last six games after an overtime loss to Illinois.

For the Spartans, Poole said the team’s improved play is tied to the team’s new, determined mindset.

With Thursday serving as the last home game she will ever play, Poole said it will be a moment she’ll always remember, and she and her fellow classmates are determined to make it a fond memory.

“It’s a mental thing,” Poole said of MSU’s recent success. “I’ve realized that this is my last year. … (It’s about) just coming out and giving it our all everyday because this is something that we’re going to remember for the rest of our lives, and I definitely want it to be a good memory.”