With eight days until Michigan State squares off against Michigan Tech in an exhibition matchup, the MSU women's basketball team finds itself ranked in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 for the first time under head coach Robyn Fralick.
MSU sits at No. 23 after finishing last season with a 22-10 (11-7 Big Ten) record. Similar to Fralick’s first year, the Spartans failed to win a game in the Big Ten Tournament. However, they took a step forward nationally, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 2 seed NC State, 83-49.
Despite losing their second-leading scorer, guard Julia Ayrault, to graduation, the Spartans return plenty of scoring from last season’s standout junior duo.
Forward Grace VanSlooten and guard Theryn Hallock both return for their senior seasons after earning All-Big Ten honors last year — VanSlooten was named to the second team, and Hallock received honorable mention.
VanSlooten led the team with 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Hallock added 13.3 points per game. VanSlooten is expected to lead the charge again this season after earning preseason All-Big Ten honors.
Along with the returning core, Fralick added several experienced transfers in the offseason.
Two of those additions are talented guards: senior Jalyn Brown and junior Rashunda “Spider” Jones. Jones transferred from Big Ten foe Purdue after averaging 9.8 points and 3.7 assists per game, while Brown joins from Arizona State, where she averaged 18 PPG on 41% shooting.
MSU also added senior forward Marah Dykstra from Montana State, who averaged 12.4 PPG and 4.4 RPG last season.
On top of the transfers, three freshmen will make their debuts at the Breslin Center this fall — guard Jordan Ode from Minnesota, along with twin guards Amy and Anna Terrian from Wisconsin.
The combination of returning experience, transfer talent, and promising freshmen has solidified Michigan State as a preseason top 25 team entering Fralick’s third season. The Spartans will take the court for the first time on Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in an exhibition against Michigan Tech.
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