Women's basketball tipoff: No. 17 MSU vs. Michigan
What: No. 17 MSU vs. Michigan
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Breslin Center (East Lansing)
Radio: WJIM 1240-AM
Coaches: MSU — Suzy Merchant is 396-211 in her 21st season overall and 195-91 in her ninth with the Spartans. Michigan - Kim Barnes Arico is 344-255 in her 20th season overall and 74-48 in her fourth with the Wolverines.
Records: MSU is 17-4, 7-2 Big Ten. Michigan is 12-9, 4-6 Big Ten.
Series: MSU leads 66-18, including a 69-49 win over the Spartans during the Big Ten tournament last March.
MSU
C (4) Jasmine Hines (6-3) 10.5
F (45) Akyah Taylor (5-11) 5.8
F (23) Aerial Powers (6-0) 19.7
G (1) Tori Jankoska (5-8) 16.5
G (10) Branndais Agee (5-11) 11.3
MICHIGAN
F (30) Hallie Thome (6-5) 14.0
F (32) Kelsey Mitchell (6-0) 7.1
G (1) Madison Ristovski (5-10) 7.0
G (3) Katelynn Flaherty (5-7) 22.2
G (2) Siera Thompson (5-7) 8.8
MSU update: A three games in five-day stretch for the Spartans kicks off with what Jankoska described as their most emotional game of the season. MSU, which is up a spot and ranked a season-best 17th in this week's Associated Press poll, has won four straight and seven of eight heading into the final month of the regular season. Defense has been a strength for the Spartans, who have held their last three opponents - Rutgers, Purdue and Wisconsin - under 60 points. MSU is trying to remain unbeaten at home.
Michigan update: The Wolverines swept the regular-season meetings between the rivals for the first time since 1999-2000, but have a team that is now paced by youth with sophomore Flaherty and freshman Thome now being key contributors. Michigan ended a three-game losing streak Sunday with their 92-76 victory over Minnesota. U-M has lost four of six games since posting back-to-back victories over Iowa and Minnesota in early January. The Wolverines have played tight games with the Big Ten's leaders, losing by just four at home to Ohio State on Jan. 21, and suffering a seven-point loss to Maryland on Jan. 14.
MATCHUPS
Backcourts: The Wolverines have been one of the Big Ten's top scoring teams at 81.4 points per game behind Flaherty, who has had a dominant sophomore season. Flaherty has increased her scoring nearly eight points a game and ranks third in the Big Ten and among the national leaders in that category. She also is shooting 40.8 percent from 3-point range in Big Ten games. Slowing Flaherty down will be key for the Spartans, who have had success containing top scorers throughout Big Ten play. Jankoska and Agee have been strong all-around players and are big reasons why the Spartans are in the thick of the Big Ten title race. Edge: MSU
Frontcourts: Powers, who on Monday was named the Big Ten player of the week, is surging for the Spartans and had her best scoring games of the season in her last two outings. She is averaging 21.8 points in conference contests. Hines has been steady throughout Big Ten play and Taylor has been an unsung key performer and aided the Spartans' defensive success. Thome has been a vital contributor for the Wolverines and scored a career-best 31 points in Sunday's win over Minnesota. Edge: MSU
Benches: MSU has played two straight contests without Morgan Green, who Merchant said suffered a head injury in practice last week. Her absence has limited the point guard depth for the Spartans. Jenna Allen, Kennedy Johnson and Cara Miller were the primary contributors off the bench at Wisconsin and more help will be needed as MSU faces its challenging stretch. Key reserves for the Wolverines have been Jillian Dunston and Boogie Brozoski. Edge: Even
Prediction: Michigan is a dangerous team that is capable of playing with the Big Ten's best. But the Spartans are surging and will atone for last season's rare home loss to the Wolverines.
Make it: MSU 75, Michigan 64
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.