The upcoming women’s basketball battle between the Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans is not just a battle between two Top 15 squads, but it is also part of a decades-long rivalry between these two Michigan schools. Michigan State has looked good right now, with Kennedy Blair having a breakout year.
However, Michigan has been a lot better and has been ranked higher than the No. 13 Spartans at No. 9.
Michigan vs. Michigan State Women’s Basketball Starting Lineup
Michigan State Spartans
- Grace VanSlooten (F)
- Inés Sotelo (C)
- Rashunda Jones (G)
- Kennedy Blair (G)
- Jalyn Brown (G)
Michigan Wolverines
- Ashley Sofilkanich (F)
- Syla Swords (G)
- Mila Holloway (G)
- Olivia Olson (G)
- Brooke Quarles Daniels (G)
Redshirt sophomore Kennedy Blair has been red-hot for Michigan State, but the Wolverines have a dangerous trio of guards of their own, with three of them scoring double figures each against Indiana, and they are Swords, Holloway and Olson. The Wolverines have a lot of guards to start the game at four, though Daniels can go at three.
Both Michigan teams have a ton of backcourt presence, but the Spartans have the edge on the front line with veteran star VanSlooten and Sotelo, with the Spartans probably winning the rebounding battle here. The question now is, who has better guard play?
Michigan vs. Michigan State Women’s Basketball Injury Report
Michigan State Spartans
- No injuries reported so far
Michigan Wolverines
- No injuries reported so far
Both teams are heading to this state rivalry game healthy, though the Spartans have had some injury issues earlier in the season.
Michigan vs. Michigan State Women’s Basketball Prediction
Both teams are fielding completely different rosters this year despite a few players returning, but they did split the season series last year at one win apiece. Neither team really has the edge here, but it will be played at the Breslin Center, Michigan State’s home court, which gives them the slight advantage. It should be noted that so far this season, they have not lost a game there yet.
Michigan is a good road team, though, and they are the higher-ranked team. However, one should not discount the Spartans yet, and they may pull another surprise and pull off the mild upset. That being said, this one should go to the Spartans.
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