The Spartans climb to No. 12, fueled by a historic season and thrilling overtime battles that showcase women's basketball's explosive growth.
After splitting the week with a big win against Purdue and a three-point overtime loss to rival Michigan, the Spartans moved from No. 13 to No. 12 in the latest AP Poll.
Despite the close loss to Michigan on Sunday, Michigan State still climbed a spot—likely due to how tightly contested the game was. The Spartans pushed the Wolverines to overtime in a game that never felt out of reach for either side.
“Women’s basketball has never been better, and I keep saying it. Our league’s never been better, the rivalry’s never been better—women’s basketball has never been better,” head coach Robyn Fralick said after the loss.
A crowd of 11,635 fans watched No. 9 Michigan edge No. 13 Michigan State 94–91 in overtime at the Breslin Center, the largest attendance for a women’s game since 2020.
Women’s basketball continues to grow, and Sunday was another example. Spartan fans showed up in full force as Michigan State continues one of the best seasons in program history. The Spartans are surging late and doing everything they can to earn a top tournament seed.
Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico echoed the sentiment about the atmosphere, saying, “The rivalry has never been better; women’s basketball has never been better.”
The Spartans have dropped two of their last four games but still sit at 19–3 overall and 8–3 in conference play. The matchup against Michigan also made history, as it marked the highest combined ranking these two programs have ever had in a head-to-head meeting—another statement on just how good this Michigan State team has been.
With only seven games remaining, time is running out to make a major statement. Still, with matchups against Michigan and Ohio State remaining, the Spartans will have plenty of opportunities to prove how good this team really is.
Michigan State currently sits eighth in the NET rankings, the NCAA’s Evaluation Tool that updates daily. They’re also ranked ninth in WAB (Wins Above Bubble). Both metrics play a key role when the selection committee determines NCAA Tournament seeding.
Michigan State is enjoying one of the best seasons in program history, and people are starting to notice. It starts with the fans and becomes contagious. If this is the first women’s basketball article you’ve read, understand this is a special moment for a flourishing sport. And if you’re a Spartan fan who’s still on the fence about tuning in—just stop waiting.
Kennedy Blair, Grace VanSlooten, and the rest of the Spartans have put on a clinic all season with aggressive offense and physical defense. Strong finishes at the rim and crisp ball movement drive this team’s engine.
This week, Michigan State hosts Maryland on Wednesday. The Terrapins are 17–6 overall and 5–6 in conference play. It’ll be a tough matchup, but the Spartans match up well and should have a chance to secure a win.
The Spartans then head to Pennsylvania to face Penn State, who remains winless in conference play at 0–11. Still, those are often the teams with nothing to lose—and that can make them dangerous.
Two tough games, but two Michigan State wins feel very much in play.
Now ranked No. 12 with big games on the horizon, the Spartans continue to take on the world one game at a time.