The Spartans entered Palm Springs, California 6-0 on the season with large margins of victory over lesser teams. The question entering the week was how head coach Robyn Fralick’s squad would adjust to power conference opponents. The Spartans proved they can make some noise this season, beating University of California followed by a strong victory over Vanderbilt to win the tournament. 

The two-game stretch showed a lot about this year's Spartans. Here's three takeaways that stood out. 

Physicality could define MSU this season

Early in the season, a tough, physical style of basketball has been a recurring theme for MSU.

Whether in a 50-point blowout at Breslin or the nail-biter championship game Wednesday, the Spartans have played a tight, in-your-face press defense and made pushing the ball inside a focus on offense. That was no different in the Acrisure Invitational.

"I think an identity of our team is that we’re scrappy, and we continued to see that through the 40 minutes." Fralick said after the win over Cal.

In both games the Spartans played this week, it was rare to see even a quarter without someone hitting the floor after a quick drive or an offensive foul. This rang even more true after seeing physical marks on MSU junior forward Grace VanSlooten and graduate forward Julia Ayrault when playing Vanderbilt.

"We’re physical, we play aggressive, we attack, but so does Vanderbilt," Fralick said. "We knew coming into the game that Vanderbilt would be the most physical team we played this year, and I loved the way we battled."

This style of play has given MSU an enhanced ability to get to the free-throw line. Prior to the tournament, the Spartans averaged almost 21 free throws per game while attempting just over 28 on average. Free-throw shooting was arguably the difference in both games this week. The Spartans went to the line a combined 58 times, converting 38. 

Depth has been MSU’s saving grace

Though turning in a productive season last year, the one problem for MSU aside from its lack of size was depth. This year, however, there might be too many options for Fralick to rely on when MSU reaches crunch time later in the season. 

Playing from behind was the story of the tournament for MSU, but the Spartans' surplus of options off the bench never pushed them far away from contention. 

Whether it was graduate guard Nyla Hampton’s stingy defense and control of pace or freshman center Inés Sotelo’s length and post production, Fralick could count on someone off of the bench to weather any storms. 

Even before the tournament, MSU saw players like redshirt freshman guard Kennedy Blair and freshman forward Juliann Woodard prove themselves as reliable scorers. 

One MSU player stood above the rest as the Spartans' key piece this week: graduate guard Jaddan Simmons. Simmons was given starting duties against Vanderbilt, taking the place of junior guard Emma Shumate, and did not disappoint. Against Cal, Simmons produced an effective seven points, five rebounds and two steals off of the bench. In her start against Vanderbilt, she shined within her role as a rebounding guard, grabbing nine boards. If there was a loose ball, Simmons was in the mix.  

Two Spartans reach 1,000 career points

MSU had to come back from decent-sized deficits in both games. Above all else, one thing a team needs when playing from behind is seasoned veterans.

Fortunately for the Spartans, they have exactly that in Ayrault and VanSlooten, who both reached the collegiate 1,000-point mark this week.

Ayrault, in her final year as an college athlete, has been a key members of this Spartan squad for several seasons. Coming off a season in which she moved from guard to forward and averaged 15.4 points per game, Ayrault has been the anchor of Fralick’s offense, especially in this week's tournament, in which she was named MVP.

"I'm so happy for her. 1,000 points is really hard, especially at this level with how good the basketball is," Fralick said. "She’s a great story of resilience and tonight her points really mattered. Down the stretch she was big-time for us. It was cool to see her get 1,000 on a point that really mattered."

Ayrault wasn’t the lone star of the tournament. VanSlooten also reached the 1,000-point mark on effective play for the Spartans across both games. 

The former All-American and gold medalist had two major performances to will MSU to victory. VanSlooten scored 13 points and seven rebounds in against Cal. In the championship, the Oregon transfer notched a team-high 25 points and 10 rebounds.

The tournament title pushed the Spartans to 8-0, tied for a program-best start to a season. Aiming to break that record, the Spartans will return home on Dec. 8 to face DePaul at Breslin Center.