Women's basketball tipoff: No. 23 MSU vs. Georgia
Brian Calloway
What: Georgia at No. 23 MSU
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Breslin Center (East Lansing)
Radio: WJIM 1240-AM
Records: Georgia 1-0. MSU 1-0.
Coaches: MSU - Suzy Merchant is 381-207 in her 21st season overall and 180-87 in her ninth with the Spartans. Georgia - Joni Taylor is 1-0 in her first season overall and with the Lady Bulldogs.
Series: Georgia leads 4-1, which includes a 69-60 victory Dec. 7, 2014..
Pos. Name PPG
F (13) Merritt Hempe (6-3) 16.0
F (33) Mackenzie Engram (6-2) 18.0
G (3) Tiaria Griffin (5-7) 21.0
G (20) Shacobia Barbee (5-10) 10.0
G (24) Marjorie Butler (5-8) 0.0
C (4) Jasmine Hines (6-3) 10.0
F (45) Akyah Taylor (5-11) 12.0
G (1) Tori Jankoska (5-8) 20.0
G (10) Branndais Agee (5-11) 11.0
G (13) Morgan Green (5-8) 7.0
Georgia update: The Lady Bulldogs historically have been one of the most successful programs in women's basketball. Sunday's season-opening 76-55 win over Stetson was the 900th in program history for Georgia, which became just the 12th school to reach that mark in women's basketball. Georgia finished 19-12 last year but had its season hampered by injuries - like MSU. The Lady Bulldogs started 12-0 last season before struggling when injuries, illness or suspension forced numerous players to miss games.
Michigan State update: The No. 23-ranked Spartans get their first big test of the season in Georgia. Whether preseason AP honorable mention All-American Aerial Powers will play Wednesday is uncertain, but MSU could use her against a team of Georgia's caliber. Powers has been working her way back from tendinitis in her achilles and has been practicing with the team. Without Powers on Sunday, the Spartans got contributions from a number of players in a season-opening 78-40 victory over Western Michigan. The returns of Hines, Agee and Taylor provided a big boost.
MSU women's hoops rolls past Western Michigan in opener
Backcourts: Jankoska is one of the top returning players in the Big Ten this season and Barbee is one of the best in the SEC. Both players are closing in on 1,000 career points and both had strong starts to their season Sunday. The strong start for Barbee included registering a triple-double (10 points, 10 assists, 13 rebounds) in the victory over Stetson. She became the third player in program history with a triple-double and added six steals. Georgia also has a talented outside threat in Griffin, who led the team in scoring Sunday. Agee's return from injury provides a boost in this area for the Spartans as they face a solid group of guards. Edge: Even
Frontcourts: Taylor and Hines each achieved their first career double-doubles as Spartans during the win over WMU. The duo will be important for MSU with some young and inexperienced players behind them. The Spartans have the better scoring options in their frontcourt, but Engram is a talented sophomore that was named to the SEC all-freshman team last year. Edge: MSU
Benches: The Spartans' bench will be more dangerous once Powers returns. There were some bright moments for MSU on Sunday, which included sophomore Kennedy Johnson scoring six points in 10 minutes. Freshman guard Amber Skidgel was the top contributor off the Georgia bench Sunday with six points, which came on two made 3s. Edge: Even
Prediction: With a game looming next week against No. 5 Baylor, this is a good test for the Spartans. And it's one they should pass with a much more athletic group on the court with the additions of Agee and Taylor.
Make it: MSU 67, Georgia 61
- Brian Calloway