Follow Bleill on Twitter here

Game 26

UI women at Michigan State,

6 p.m. Thursday

LINEUPS

michigan state (17-8, 8-6)

Probable starters

P Name HT. YR. PPG

G Brittney Thomas 5-10 Jr. 6.6

G Jasmine Thomas 5-7 Fr. 5.9

C Allyssa DeHaan 6-9 Sr. 11.9

F Lykendra Johnson 6-1 So. 8.8

F Aisha Jefferson 6-1 Sr. 7.4

Top reserves

C Lauren Aitch 6-1 Sr. 7.4

F Kalisha Keane 6-1 Jr. 9.4

G Cetera Washington 6-0 Jr. 2.5

illinois (13-12, 5-10)

Probable starters

P Name HT. YR. PPG

G Lacey Simpson 6-1 Sr. 9.8

G Lydia McCully 5-9 So. 3.5

C Jenna Smith 6-3 Sr. 18.5

F Kersten Magrum 6-1 Fr. 3.3

F Karisma Penn 6-2 Fr. 11.2

Top reserves

G Fabiola Josil 5-9 So. 2.3

G Whitney Toone 5-10 Sr. 2.7

G Adrienne GodBold 5-11 Fr. 6.3

Facts & figures

Site: Breslin Center, East Lansing, Mich.

Radio: Dave Loane and Mike Koon call the action on WDWS 1400-AM and WDAN 1490-AM.

TV: Tape-delayed at 8 a.m. Saturday on Big Ten Network as part of the "Student U" initiative of student-produced broadcasts.

Series: Michigan State leads 32-26, which includes an 18-8 edge in East Lansing.

Coaches: Suzy Merchant (62-33 in third season at Michigan State; 263-153 in 14th season overall); Jolette Law (43-47 in third season at Illinois and overall).

tony bleill's Storylines

1

Scouting report

The Big Ten has had its share of enigmas this season, but the Spartans might be the biggest. They alternate between impressive and lethargic; they're good enough to beat North Carolina and Xavier while playing poorly enough to lose twice to Wisconsin. When they feel like playing, the Spartans are a handful; they have athleticism, size and arguably the most depth in the league. But the overriding question is always, "Will they be ready to play today?" This is the teams' only meeting of the season.

2

What's my motivation?

So, what do the Illini have to play for, except pride? Well, they surely would like to avoid the ignominy of finishing in last place. Then there's the matter of postseason play; if Illinois doesn't win one of its final three regular season games, its chances of reaching the WNIT are basically nil. And perhaps most important, the Illini would like to gain some momentum before heading into the Big Ten tournament on March 4, where they will have to win four games in four days to achieve their longstanding goal of earning a bid to the NCAA tournament.

3

Battle of the thieves

Simpson and Purdue's FahKara Malone, both seniors, are waging a battle to see which will finish higher on the Big Ten's career steals list. Heading into tonight's play, Malone has three more than Simpson and sits in fifth place on the Big Ten chart. The action really heats up on Sunday, when Purdue visits Illinois. In any event, Malone must be considered the favorite because her team almost certainly will play more games in March than Simpson's, which could be finished after Day 1 of the Big Ten tournament. Purdue is at least headed to the WNIT.

Prediction

MICHIGAN STATE 63, ILLINOIS 51

Seems like this might be a tough game to find motivation for the languishing llini, who are staring at an emotional Senior Day on Sunday. Of course, people have been questioning the Spartans' lack of urgency for much of the season – and that includes their coach. Still, Michigan State is much more talented and experienced and should win handily, given the way Illinois has played for much of the past seven weeks. (News-Gazette prediction record: 16-9).