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The Michigan State Spartan women head to Dinkytown to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers tomorrow in an early start to Big Ten Conference play. The game will tip at 9 p.m. EST and will air on the Big Ten Network. So if you’ll be tuning into the Men’s game at Virginia on ESPN, be sure to set your DVR/TiVo/etc. for this one!
2️⃣ games this week as we kick off B1G action! First at Minnesota on Wednesday on BTN then home against Iowa on Saturday!!#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/FTyLh2KopO
— Spartan Basketball (@MSU_WBasketball) December 7, 2020
The Golden Gophers are 1-1 on the season with a 72-68 win over Eastern Illinois and a 99-66 loss to Drake. The Gophers have a short bench with just eight players having seen game action thus far. The Gophers are led by Jasmine Powell who is averaging 21.5 points per game. Kadi Sissoko is second with 18 points per game and Gadiva Hubbard round out the double-digit figure scorers. Powell is also leading the Big Ten with 7.5 assists per game.
Michigan State is leading the Big Ten overall in assists, though. Nia Clouden also ranks fourth individually in the Big Ten with 7 assists per game.
#B1GNews ⬇️
— Big Ten Women's Hoops (@B1Gwbball) December 8, 2020
#B1GWBBall teams are 1️⃣ in the in key @NCAA stats
1️⃣ top scoring offense @TerpsWBB
1️⃣ top scoring defense @RutgersWBB
1️⃣ top turnover margin & turnovers forced @RutgersWBB
1️⃣ in assists @MSU_Wbasketball
Read more about it ➡️ https://t.co/zZPi6g4O3G pic.twitter.com/Hh8ib6dlNP
The Gophers have been strong on the boards with 42.5 rebounds per game, and has six players averaging at least four boards per game. However, Minnesota is averaging just 69 points per game to their opponent’s 83.5.
Just like last season, MSU and Minnesota only face each other once this season. MSU won last year in East Lansing 66-54 on Feb. 17. MSU owns the edge in the series all-time with a 44-23 record. Michigan State has won eight of the last 10. The Spartans are 19-19 in Big Ten conference season openers. Michigan State last opened the season against Minnesota during the 2013-14 season and won 81-56 at Minnesota.