The MSU women’s basketball team missed out on the 2002 NCAA Tournament, but it will get a sufficient dosage of last year’s qualifiers in the upcoming season.
Of the 27 games the Spartans are slated to play in the 2002-03 season, 11 - five at home - will be against teams that were in the Big Dance last March.
The schedule features 14 games at Breslin Center. Head coach Joanne P. McCallie said with the nonconference schedule and the usual Big Ten competition, her team will be well-tested.
“I think it’s a great schedule,” the third-year coach said. “We’re playing so many teams that have been in and had success in the NCAA Tournament.
“I think it’s well-balanced and very challenging. It will help us prepare not only for the Big Ten season, but for what we want to do in March.”
The home schedule also features contests against Valparaiso, Michigan and Illinois - 2002 WNIT teams.
The Kent State contest scheduled for Dec. 3 at Breslin Center is expected to break MSU’s all-time single-game attendance record of 7,733 set Feb. 20, 2000, against Michigan. The game is a part of the “When I Grow Up” program and thousands of fourth and fifth-grade students from schools in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties are scheduled to attend.
“I think its wonderful to pull academics and athletics together,” McCallie said. “I really think we can serve as a fantastic role model to a lot of kids across the state.”
MSU’s regular season will start with the 15th MSU Chevrolet Classic on Nov. 23-24 at Breslin Center. Fresno State, Miami (Ohio) and Valparaiso will attempt to pry the tournament championship away from the Spartans, who won it last year.
Within a week of the classic, Nov. 29-30, the Spartans will play at Memphis in another four-team tournament, which includes Georgia State, Tennessee State and the host Tigers.
One of MSU’s tougher road contests could come against a revenge-seeking Georgia team on Dec. 17. Last season, the Spartans spanked the Bulldogs 70-49 on Jan. 5 in Breslin Center. The Bulldogs entered the game unbeaten and ranked No. 8 in the nation.
Last season, the Spartans finished 19-13 overall and 6-10 in the Big Ten. MSU advanced to the WNIT semifinals before falling to Oregon 65-54 in Eugene, Ore. The Spartans will have seven returning players from last year’s roster.
General management sophomore Kalvin Williams said he would like to see bigger programs at Breslin Center.
“The only reason attendance is low is because of the teams we play,” he said. “If we play some teams that are ranked higher than us, I think the attendance will be much higher.”
McCallie said she’s going to continue trying to bring in big names in future seasons. At the top of the list include perennial powers Connecticut and Tennessee.
“I’ve talked directly with Pat (Summitt) at Tennessee. She’s interested, and we’re working to see if that’s a possibility,” McCallie said. “I’ve also talked directly with Gino (Auriemma) at Connecticut for a home-and-home series.
“We will continue to try to pursue the best programs and bring the best women’s basketball to East Lansing.”
