THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (12-7, 5-3) and Michigan State Spartans (14-6, 7-2) clash Thursday night in East Lansing, MI. Tip-off is slated for 6:05 p.m. (CST) at the Breslin Center. It will be the only regular season meeting between the two teams. Michigan State has won five-consecutive games, while Iowa has won four-straight.
HAMLIN UPDATE
JoAnn Hamlin suffered a sprained left ankle during practice last Thursday and missed Iowa's game vs. Michigan Monday night. She is doubtful for Thursday night's road game.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
After starting conference play 2-2, Michigan State has won five-straight games. The Spartans won their last contest, 59-50, over Wisconsin Sunday afternoon in front of a season-high 10,489 fans at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Both teams' statistics were identical on the box score, except Michigan State outscored Wisconsin 13-4 at the foul line, with the Spartans attempting 15 more free throws than the Badgers. The Spartans have two players average in double figures: Aisha Jefferson and Allyssa DeHaan. Jefferson averages a team-best 12.0 points and 5.2 rebounds. DeHaan ranks second in scoring (11.0) and first in rebounding (6.9) and blocks (3.2). Brittany Thomas averages a team-best 3.2 assists to go along with 5.7 points per contest. Michigan State ranks first in seven statistical categories: field goal percentage defense (.341), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.265), rebounding (43.5), offensive rebounds (15.2), defensive rebounds (28.35), rebounding margin (+9.6) and blocked shots (5.65). The Spartans boast an 8-1 home record this season, averaging 5,634 fans per game. Michigan State is coached by Suzy Merchant. Merchant is in her 14th season (238-138, .632) as a head coach and her second on the Spartan sidelines (37-20, .649).
ALL-TIME SERIES
Thursday will be the 53rd meeting between Iowa and Michigan State, with the Hawkeyes leading the series, 30-22. Michigan State has won eight of the last 10 in the series. Iowa snapped a five-game slide to the Spartans in last year's meeting in Iowa City (82-64) on Feb. 7, 2008. Iowa holds a slim 13-11 advantage in games played at East Lansing, MI. Michigan State has won four-straight against Iowa in the Breslin Center. The Hawkeyes' last victory at Michigan State came on Feb. 1, 2004 (78-67).
TRIPLE THREAT
Kachine Alexander was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week with Minnesota's Ashley Ellis-Milan on Jan. 19. Alexander took home her first career weekly honor after helping Iowa to a pair of victories over Illinois and Northwestern. In Iowa's win over Northwestern, she became the eighth NCAA Division I student-athlete to post a triple-double this season. The 5-9 guard totaled 10 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists against the Wildcats. The 12 assists are a personal best and match the school single-game and Carver-Hawkeye Arena record. The last time a Big Ten player recorded a triple-double during a conference game came on Feb. 8, 2007 when Ohio State's Jessica Davenport tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds and 11 blocks against Minnesota. The last triple-double involving points, rebounds and assists in league play was courtesy of Iowa's Cara Consuegra (17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) on Feb. 3, 2000. Alexander became only the second Iowa basketball player, male or female to post a triple-double (Cara Consuegra).
WAHLIN SHINES IN STARTING ROLE
Kamille Wahlin shined in her first career start Monday night against Michigan. The freshman posted a double-double, the first of her career, recording personal bests in scoring (14 points) and assists (10 assists). The 10 assists are believed to be the most in a single-game by an Iowa freshman. Wahlin was moved into the starting lineup after JoAnn Hamlin injured an ankle in practice. Hamlin is questionable for Thursday night's contest at Michigan State. In her last four games, Wahlin has made 13-20 (.650) from the field.
ON THE HORIZON
The Hawkeyes return home to host Penn State Sunday, Feb. 1 inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tip-off is slated for 1:05 p.m. Iowa will conclude its stretch of playing four of five home games next Thursday when it entertains Indiana to Iowa City.
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