No. 5 Michigan State vs. No. 12 Colorado State: How to Watch, Key Players, and Prediction

WHO: Michigan State Spartans (22-8) vs. Colorado State Rams (27-7)

WHAT: Women’s NCAA Tournament – Round of 64

WHERE: Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, OK

WHEN: Friday, March 20th at 7:30 PM EST

WATCH: ESPN channels (ESPNews)

The Lady Spartans are dancing for the third consecutive season, and they’ll face the Colorado State Rams Friday night at 7:30 PM EST on ESPNews.

Michigan State limped into the tournament after what was once the best start in program history. A 17-1 opening stretch had the Spartans near the top of the rankings and looking more than comfortable heading into the heart of the season.

However, a difficult late season stretch brought that momentum to a halt. Multiple matchups against top-tier competition put a damper on what had been a dream season, especially down the final stretch.

Then came the Big Ten Tournament, where Michigan State entered as the seventh seed but quickly exited after dropping its opening game. While conference tournaments can provide a chance to improve seeding, they often do little more than add wear and tear—especially for teams in major conferences. More often than not, seeds are largely determined by regular season performance, with conference tournaments primarily benefiting smaller schools fighting for automatic bids.

Still, the Big Ten Tournament came and went, and the Spartans now enter the Big Dance as a five-seed. That placement means they’ll be at a neutral site for the opening weekend, as only the top four seeds host first-and second-round games. It’s a tough break for a team that spent much of the season in that top-16 conversation before a late-season slide.

Now, Michigan State enters the tournament with something to prove—and plenty of motivation.

All-Big Ten Second Team honoree Kennedy Blair will look to lead the way. Blair has been the engine for this Spartans squad all season, recording multiple double-doubles while leading the team with 5.4 assists and 7.1 rebounds per game. She also ranks second on the team in scoring at 14.4 points per game.

This will be Blair’s first NCAA Tournament appearance, and you can expect her trademark energy and passion to be on full display. She’s the type of player who can completely take over a game—and Michigan State will need exactly that.

That said, this is far from a one-woman show.

Senior forward Grace VanSlooten has been a consistent force all year, leading the team in scoring with 15.0 points per game. Her physical presence in the paint gives the Spartans a reliable option down low, both as a scorer and a rebounder. When defenses key in on Blair, Michigan State can turn to VanSlooten to control the interior and keep the offense balanced.

In addition, Rashunda Jones (11.8 PPG) and Jalyn Brown (11.1 PPG) round out a well-balanced scoring attack. This kind of depth could prove crucial in a tournament setting, where defensive adjustments and pressure situations often dictate outcomes.

Colorado State presents a legitimate challenge, entering the tournament with an impressive 27-7 record. The Rams have momentum and confidence, and they won’t make things easy. Still, Michigan State has been tested against some of the best teams in the country—a factor that could pay dividends in a win-or-go-home scenario.

The Spartans come into this matchup eager to silence any doubters. Not only are they looking to get out of the first round, but they also have their sights set on a deeper run—potentially reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009.

Prediction:

Michigan State may be coming off a rough stretch, but context matters. Those losses came against elite competition, and this team has shown what it’s capable of at its best.

Expect head coach Robyn Fralick to have her squad fully prepared and locked in. With strong guard play, interior presence, and tournament motivation, the Spartans should have enough to get it done.

Michigan State – 65 Colorado State – 58