And this season, they’ll stop at nothing to prove to everyone that’s where they belong when the regular season is all said and done — not just in the WNIT, where they advanced to the finals before falling to Marquette, 81-66.

“We really feel like we belonged in (the tournament) and I’m still frustrated that we weren’t,” head coach Suzy Merchant said Wednesday at MSU Media Day. “If you lose the game, you’re done for the year. So our kids did a good job of putting together some back-to-back games to stay alive (in the WNIT).”

For senior guard Mia Johnson, it’s not even as simple as just calling it a chip on her shoulder.

“We know where we’re at and where we’re going to be at the end of the season,” said Johnson, who averaged 4.1 points last season. “Now, we have to go and prove to the people that we’re worthy of being there. We proved in the WNIT that we can play and beat really good teams. We’re coming in with a sort of attitude to show everyone that.”

Deeper than ever

MSU isn’t returning just its starting five, but its starting six.

That sixth body is junior forward Aisha Jefferson, who sat out all of last season with a severe knee injury. Jefferson averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds her sophomore year and is projected to start down low.

But according to the 6-foot-1 Jefferson, the season of sitting on the sidelines was a blessing in disguise.

“The first thing you think about is, ‘Why me?’” she said. “But the season goes on without you whether you like it or not and I didn’t want to be that sour apple that mopes the whole season. I took on the role of giving other players confidence, sort of a player-coach.”

With 13 active players, Merchant said she sees each one of them making a substantial impact for the Spartans — bringing much more athleticism top to bottom than what’s been seen in the past, allowing the position’s to be very interchangeable.

Balanced statistics

Last season, five players averaged 7.1 points or higher per game. On the glass, four players snagged 4.3 rebounds or more each contest.

It was never a one-woman show. And with loads more depth, Merchant predicts those numbers will increase.

“We did some statistics that if we would have scored just six more points a game, we would have been 11-1 in those games,” the second-year coach said. “I do feel like we’re going to have a five-prong attack out there.”

One of the factors in upping the offensive numbers is junior center Allyssa DeHaan, who has gained muscle, allowing her to push some bodies around down low and keep position on the block.

DeHaan said the hook shot will be her go-to move. But if given the opportunity, the 6-foot-9 Grandville, Mich., native won’t be afraid to throw it down, as junior center Lauren Aitch has been helping her dunk after long practices.

“After a three-hour practice, if I can two-hand dunk, that’s going to build me up for a game, hopefully,” DeHaan said. “She makes me throw down five or six. I’m a junior, it’s time.”