The #23-ranked Washington Huskies (12–2) welcome the #15-ranked Michigan State Spartans (14–1) to Hec Edmundson Pavilion on Thursday, January 8th at 6 p.m. PST.
Both teams arrive having earned national respect, yet both still looking to add statement games to their NCAA Tournament resumes.
Moreover, both teams come in to this contest on a hot streak: UW fresh off a statement win over then‑No. 6 Michigan; and MSU is riding a six‑game win streak that has steadily pushed the Spartans into the national top‑15.
Washington Huskies Preview – A Blueprint of Defense, 3-Balls and Rim Attacks
The Washington Huskies have crafted a clear identity under head coach Tina Langley: first strangle opponents defensively, then punish them at the rim and beyond the arc.
Washington’s defense holds teams to 54.4 points per game on just 36.6% shooting from the field, including a suffocating 25.2% from three. Against Michigan, that formula produced a 64–52 win characterized by disciplined closeouts and complete control of the glass.
Offensively, the Huskies average 73.8 points per game while blending uptempo pace; long distance accuracy; plus passing and cutting to attack the lane with precision.
The Dawgs attack the paint and convert 61.5% of their shots within 4.5 feet (190 of 309).
When they’re placing intense pressure on interior defenses, the Huskies space the floor with 36.2% accuracy (109 of 301) from three-point range.
As a. result, opposing defenses face a constant dilemma: either collapse to protect the paint or extend to cover Washington’s three-point barrage.
Rising Huskies – A Multi-Dawg Threat
Sayvia Sellers, the Washington Huskies 5’7″ point guard, is averaging 18.6 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, while even swatting nearly one shot per contest at 0.9 blocks.
Sayvia Sellers shoots 42.7% from three-point range (38‑for‑89) and finishes 70.6% at the rim (36‑for‑51).
Thus, the “inside-outside” scoring efficiency of Sellers can force the Michigan State Spartans into uncomfortable choices:
If MSU chases her off the line, she slices into the lane and finishes over or around help.
If they sag and play to contain, she will step into rhythm threes all afternoon.
Beyond the stat line, when Sellers is in command she dictates the Huskies tempo and increases team confidence.
Washington’s recent upset of Michigan showcased her ability to stay composed against physical pressure in the 4th quarter (no less, after spending the majority of the game on the bench due to foul trouble)—a skill that will again be vital against an MSU defense that thrives on forcing mistakes to fuel their transition.
Beyond Sellers, Washington’s offensive system takes advantage of multiple ballhandlers and generates high‑value looks for multiple Huskies,
Sophomore guard Avery Howell, reigning USBWA Player of the Week due to her double-double performance in Washington’s upset victory over Michigan, continues her dominance as a two‑way star by averaging 13.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
Howell stretches the floor at 44.4% from three (36‑for‑81) and finishes 72.7% at the rim, making her a mismatch against both smaller guards and slower forwards.
Avery Howell’s rebounding will be central to UW’s plan to win the glass and ignite transition offense against the Spartans.
Furthermore, senior guard Elle Ladine looks ready to reclaim her place as a primary scorer.
Ladine is averaging 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds, but the headline is her recent 23‑point explosion versus Northwestern after battling a lower‑body injury.
Ladine converts 69.2% at the rim and 36.4% farther away in the paint, giving the Huskies a tough, physical guard who can manufacture points when the Huskies offensive sets break down.
Add in 6’3″ freshman forward Brynn McGaughy who contributes 8.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and a team‑high 20 blocks (1.4 per game).
A versatile big that provides length, rim protection, and consistently threatens opposing defenses with opportunistic scoring, McGaughy finishes 65.8% at the rim (25-for-38) and hits 58.3% from the free-throw-line extended area (7-for-12).
All in all, Washington fields a balanced, multi‑layered attack that can challenge Michigan State at every level of the floor.
Michigan State Preview – A Balanced Machine Rolls into Seattle
While the Huskies lean on a burgeoning core, the Michigan State Spartans arrive with the look of a fully formed contender.
Michigan State combines efficient offense with stifling defense.
Defensively, the Spartans hold opponents to 56.1 points per game on 37.3% shooting overall and only 28.3% from three-point range.
Offensively, the Spartans average 89.1 points per game while converting 63.6% of their shots within 4.5 feet (220 of 346); and a highly efficient 52.4% from farther out in the lane.
While they’re placing intense pressure on interior defenses, the Spartans also shoot a blistering 39.0% from three-point range.
The Spartans’ offense profile is built around multiple double‑digit scorers, high‑percentage shot selection, and low turnover rate (only 11.2 turnovers a game).
At the heart of MSU’s game plan are forward Grace VanSlooten and lead guard Kennedy Blair.
Van Slooten and Blair together create an inside‑out synergy that will test the Huskies’ defensive rotations and communication.
Grace VanSlooten, a 6’3″ anchors the frontcourt with efficient inside scoring, glass control, and sturdy rim protection.
VanSlooten averages a team-leading 14.3 points per game; a second-leading 5.9 rebounds; 2.0 steals; and a team-leading 0.9 blocks.
VanSlooten is a highly efficient scorer in-the-paint with 64.1% accuracy within 4.5 feet of the rim and 50.8% from farther out in the lane.
VanSlooten is a highly efficient scorer on the low block and in short‑roll actions; plus her ability to finish through contact and crash the offensive glass means Huskies Avery Howell and Brynn McGaughy must be locked in positionally.
If the Washington defense can push VanSlooten off the low block, make her catch the ball a step further out and then contest her shot without fouling, the Huskies could potentially neutralize Michigan State’s primary weapon.
Kennedy Blair, a 5’9″ sophomore guard, orchestrates everything from the perimeter, while averaging 13.0 points per game; a team-leading 7.3. rebounds; a team-leading 5.9 assists; and 1.9 steals.
Blair is a highly efficient finisher at the rim (67.9%), as well as farther out in the lane (50%); while adding 31.6% accuracy from three-point range.
