Top-seeded Notre Dame stands in way as MSU women's basketball tries to reach Sweet 16

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Jenna Allen and the Michigan State women's basketball team own victories over some of the nation's top teams.

Three of the victories for the Spartans (21-11) this season have come against Oregon, Maryland and Iowa – teams that were among the top 16 overall seeds for the NCAA tournament and have hosted opening-round games.

And in order to extend their season for another few days, the ninth-seeded Spartans will need to get past another of the nation's best in defending national champion Notre Dame on Monday (7 p.m, ESPN).

The top-seeded Irish (31-3) ended the season No. 3 in the national rankings. That included 10 wins over top 25 teams and a 34-point home victory over Big Ten tournament champion Iowa in late November.

"To be the best, you've got to play the best," said Allen, who will try to help MSU reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009. "We're excited for this coming opportunity. It's March and we're just going to give it our all and anything can happen."

Notre Dame has won 10 straight since a road loss to then No. 25-ranked Miami on Feb. 7. That included rolling to a 25-point win over No. 18 Syracuse and No. 3 Louisville during the ACC Tournament earlier this month.

A loaded lineup has fueled another successful season for the Irish. Arike Ogunbowale, who became Notre Dame's career scoring leader last month, hit the winning shot in the national championship game last season and has led a strong starting five. Former Nebraska starter Jessica Shepard, Jackie Young, Brianna Turner and Marina Mabrey round out the dangerous group of Irish starters.

"Obviously they are the defending national champions for a reason," said MSU coach Suzy Merchant, whose program will try to end a six-game losing streak against the Irish, which included a 90-59 loss in South Bend last season.

"They have got dynamic scorers, guard play, their size is tremendous and they can score inside."

Sidney Cooks said the Spartans have confidence and believe focusing on their roles and being mentally prepared can help them have a chance to pull off an upset.

Merchant agreed.

"You're on the national champion's home floor," Merchant said. "If everybody buys into their roles and we play together and we play with that intensity, and even when things don't go our way we keep battling and fighting, I think anything can happen.

"That's why you play these games. Certainly Notre Dame has earned that No. 1 seed and the opportunity to play at home. We're just looking forward to having a chance to go at them a little bit."

More:

In NCAA tournament debut, Sidney Cooks has big presence for MSU women's basketball

Shay Colley's late basket lifts Michigan State women's basketball past Central Michigan

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.