Spartans surge into March Madness with a No. 5 seed. Can Kennedy Blair's historic leap lead them past Colorado State and beyond?
The Michigan State Spartans women’s basketball team is headed back to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season.
Michigan State (22–8) earned a No. 5 seed in Region 4 – Sacramento. The Spartans will face Colorado State (27–7) on Friday in Norman, Oklahoma.
This will mark the 21st NCAA Tournament appearance in Michigan State women’s basketball program history. Entering the 2026 tournament, the Spartans hold a 20–20 all-time record in the event.
The program’s most historic run came in 2005, when Michigan State reached its first and only national championship game before ultimately falling to Baylor, 84–62.
Since 2003, the Spartans have been a consistent postseason presence. The Lady Spartans have missed the tournament just five times during that stretch. However, they have not advanced past the second round since 2009.
Still, this year’s group enters the tournament with momentum.
This is Michigan State’s best tournament seeding since 2016, when the Spartans earned a No. 4 seed before falling in the second round to No. 5 Mississippi State.
But these Spartans are not worried about the past — they are ready to write their own chapter.
In fact, this team has already etched its name into the program’s history books. Michigan State opened the season 17–1, the best start in program history.
Leading the charge is Kennedy Blair, a second-team All-Big Ten selection who has taken a remarkable leap this season. Her development has been so impressive that I’ve even had my daughter watch her games as an example of what hard work can do.
Blair’s improvement across the board has been nothing short of incredible.
Last season, she averaged 3.4 points per game while playing just 8.9 minutes per contest. This year, she has exploded to 14.4 points per game while averaging 29.8 minutes.
Her rebounding has also jumped from 1.8 per game to 7.1. Assists climbed from 1.1 to 5.4 per game, while steals rose from 0.6 to 2.3.
Her shooting percentage improved, her three-point shooting improved, and her overall impact on the game has grown tremendously.
But the stat sheet still doesn’t fully capture Blair’s influence.
Her defense and relentless energy show up every single possession. She throws herself into every play without fear, chasing loose balls, fighting through screens, and setting the tone for the entire team.
Blair has become the heartbeat and leader of this Michigan State squad. And as a redshirt sophomore, the future certainly looks bright for the Spartans with her leading the way.
But for now, all of the focus is on this season — and on Colorado State.
Of course, this team’s success hasn’t been a one-player show in East Lansing.
Jalyn Brown is averaging 11.1 points per game. While that number may be slightly down from her previous two seasons, her clutch shooting has been a thing of beauty. When Michigan State needs a bucket late, the Spartans know they can rely on Brown.
Rashunda Jones is another key offensive contributor, averaging 11.8 points per game this season.
Down low, Michigan State is anchored by senior Grace VanSlooten, who leads the team with 15.0 points per game while also pulling down 6.6 rebounds per contest.
Together, this core has helped power one of the most exciting seasons in recent Michigan State women’s basketball history.
If the Spartans are able to get past Colorado State, they will face the winner of No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 13 Idaho in the next round.
The region itself is loaded with talent. It includes No. 1 South Carolina, No. 2 Iowa, No. 3 TCU, No. 4 Oklahoma, and No. 6 Washington — meaning the road to a deep tournament run will not be easy.
But that’s exactly what March is all about.
The Spartans now embark on the next chapter of their season — and potentially one of the most memorable runs in program history — when they take the floor Friday in Norman against Colorado State.