Calling the women's basketball team's next stretch of games "a step up" is an understatement.
After relatively easy victories against UC Santa Barbara and Western Carolina, the No. 9 Spartans face a murderous three-day schedule in the Paradise Jam Tournament in the Virgin Islands this weekend, with games against No. 2 Tennessee, No. 10 Maryland and Gonzaga.
The action tips off at 8:30 p.m. Thursday against Tennessee. MSU overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to defeat the Lady Vols in last season's Final Four.
The Volunteers might be out for revenge, but MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie said that might work to the Spartans' advantage.
"I think living in the past is dangerous, for any team," McCallie said.
"I think what's most important is the present. They're No. 1 in many polls, and I don't think we'll have the chance to play No. 1 and get after No. 1 too many times."
The Lady Vols are far more athletic than any team MSU has seen this season, especially newcomer Candace Parker. Parker, a 6-foot-3 forward, beat out current NBA throwdown artists Josh Smith and J.R. Smith in a dunk contest at the 2004 McDonalds All-American Game, and notched 19 points and 10 rebounds in her debut with the Lady Vols.
McCallie said the Spartans have a specific defensive game plan designed to keep Tennessee's athletes in check.
"You anticipate a lot, and you try to slow them down and take away inside passing angles, and make sure that no shooters get hot from the outside," McCallie said.
"You play them from the inside out, and it's got to be a good collective team effort."
MSU will then play Maryland at 6 p.m. Friday and conclude with Gonzaga at 6 p.m. Saturday.
It will be MSU's first meeting with either school.
The Spartans will have to endure a long trip to the Virgin Islands and a sharp change in climate as they prepare for the tournament.
They'll hope to avoid dehydration and cramping, a problem that has been plaguing the men's basketball team during its trip to Hawaii.
Junior guard Rene Haynes said the Spartans' early arrival in the Virgin Islands will help smooth the transition.
"We're leaving (Tuesday), so that's a day and a half or two days to rest before we play on Thursday," Haynes said. "We'll be ready."
Senior guard Lindsay Bowen said the Spartans will be fine if they just watch their diets and stay strong mentally.
"We've just got to be smart about it and drink lots of water, make sure everyone is healthy and getting lots of fluids and eating right," Bowen said.
"We've got a tough stretch ahead of us, with three games in three days. It's a great test for our team. We've just got to get tougher, and really fight."
After the Paradise Jam Tournament, the Spartans return home to face Pepperdine on Dec. 4 at Breslin Center.
