“We need our shooters to knock down shots,” she said.

With freshman forward Kalisha Keane getting into foul trouble lately, her staying in play will be important come tonight’s game.

“We’ll need the consistent play of five people,” Merchant said. “We need the flow, consistency, and we need Keane and (sophomore center) Allyssa DeHaan to stay on the floor and we need (sophomore center Lauren Aitch) to come in and be that consistent power force and that consistent rebounder for us.”

Merchant said Aitch has been the only consistent offensive rebounder on the team and has grown substantially in her on-court leadership in the last few weeks.

The Spartans (11-9 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) have been practicing off the boards all week, along with trying to prepare physically for Illinois — whose potential starting lineup is comprised of five returning players from last season.

“They have the experience and certainly the wherewithall to get things done,” Merchant said.

The biggest Fighting Illini (11-7, 3-4) threat is 6-foot-3 forward Jenna Smith, who averages 18.4 points and 10 rebounds per game.

“(Smith) is somebody that does pose some problems, she has really improved her ability on a double team to kick it out and find the open person,” Merchant said. “She is the heart and sole of what makes that team go, and they have some very nice guard play as well that goes with it.”

Aitch said she realizes it is a big game, and said the team is there defensively but they just have to go out focused.

“We’re definitely going to have to rebound hard,” Aitch said. “One thing is that our shooting hasn’t been that great and it’s not acceptable to have eight offensive rebounds and that shooting percentage.”

MSU faces the Illini at 8 p.m. tonight in Champaign, Ill.