Michigan State senior guard Jalyn Brown (23) takes that ball while Oakland University senior guard Aalyssa Rogers (11) tries to block her at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, Mich., on Nov. 23, 2025.
February is an important month for No. 12 Michigan State women’s basketball. With four of its seven games coming against ranked opponents — three of them at home — it is a stretch that will determine whether the Spartans are a true Big Ten contender.
The second test comes three days after a 94-91 overtime loss to then-No. 9 Michigan, as MSU prepares to host No. 22 Maryland (17-6, 5-6 Big Ten) in East Lansing.
It has not been an easy season for the Terrapins as of late. After entering conference play 12-0, Maryland has dropped six of its 11 Big Ten games and is riding a four-game losing streak. One of the key reasons behind those struggles has been injuries.
Maryland currently has five players injured this season, as the injury bug has consistently plagued the team. Senior guard Kaylene Smikle and freshman guard Lea Bartelme have been two of the most significant losses.
Smikle averaged 13.1 points per game through seven games and was one of Maryland’s top scorers before electing to undergo knee surgery. Meanwhile, Bartelme started the first four games of the season before suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
With numerous injuries, players have been forced to step up, and one of them has been junior guard Oluchi Okananwa, who is in the midst of a breakout season. After averaging 10.1 points per game at Duke last season, Okananwa transferred to Maryland and has thrived, averaging 17 points, 5.6 rebounds and two steals per game. She is coming off an impressive 27-point performance against Oregon.
Alongside Okananwa, senior guard Yarden Garzon is another player MSU’s defense will need to focus on shutting down. Standing at 6-foot-3, Garzon is the team’s second-leading scorer while shooting an impressive 40% from beyond the arc.
A top-25 matchup is already important for everyone involved, but a game against Maryland means a little more for senior guard Jalyn Brown, a Baltimore native.
"We have to continue to just get better, and we have to prepare for what’s in front of us," Brown said following Sunday’s game. "I’m excited to play coach [Brenda] Frese because I’m from Maryland, so this will be an exciting game for me."
The third ranked matchup of the season at Breslin Center is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and will air on Big Ten Plus.
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