JUST NOW: Michigan State women’s basketball a 9-seed in the NCAA Tournament.see more Details
Here are the full details on Michigan State Women’s Basketball being awarded a No. 7 seed in the 2025 NCAA
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🏀 Michigan State’s Seeding & Path
Seed Reveal: March 16, 2025
No. 7 seed in the Spokane Regional (also referred to as Southeast Region, commonly played in Raleigh) .
Scheduled to face No. 10 seed Harvard on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC, with TV coverage on ESPN networks .
Seeding Significance
First time under second‑year head coach Robyn Fralick that MSU earned a seed as high as No. 7 in consecutive tournaments—she’s the only MSU coach to lead the Spartans to back‑to‑back NCAA tournament appearances .
The last time MSU earned a seed higher than 7 was in 2016, when they were a No. 4 seed .
This marks the 20th NCAA tournament appearance in program history; they’ve reached the tournament in 17 of the last 22 seasons .
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🏆 Regular Season & Big Ten Tournament Performance
Season Recap
Finished 22–10 overall, with an 11–7 Big Ten mark, tying for fifth place .
In regular-season play, features included capturing the Acrisure Holiday Invitational title .
They ended the season strong by surpassing 20 wins again—significant as this was their second straight 20+ win season in conference .
Big Ten Tournament
Entered as the No. 6 seed in the March 5–9 Big Ten tourney in Indianapolis .
Lost in the second round to Iowa, 74–61, exiting earlier than hoped but securing an at-large bid thanks to a solid overall profile .
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🌿 First Round vs. Harvard
Opponent Profile
Harvard earned the Ivy League’s automatic spot and secured a 10‑seed in the same region .
This marked just the first-ever meeting between MSU and Harvard in women’s hoops .
Harvard reached its highest-ever seed in program history at No. 10, buoyed by a 24‑4 season and their first NCAA tournament bid since 2007 .
Game Result
March 22, MSU defeated Harvard 64–50 .
Grace VanSlooten earned a double-double, and the Spartans effectively neutralized Harvard star Harmoni Turner .
The win advanced MSU to the Round of 32.
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🌟 Round of 32 vs. NC State
Opponent Overview
No. 2 seed NC State, host of the region at Reynolds Coliseum. Fresh off a 75–55 win over 15-seeded Vermont .
NC State boasts stellar season stats: 22–9 overall, 16–2 in ACC, undefeated at home, and national top 10 rankings .
Matchup Details
The game tipped tip-off on Monday, March 24, noon ET, exclusive to ESPN .
MSU entered off a confident win and strong defense; NC State carried home‑court advantage and an unbeaten NCAA tournament record in Raleigh .
Outcome
MSU’s tournament ended with a decisive 83–49 loss to NC State .
The Wolfpack fell behind early and pulled away in the second half.
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🧩 Key Team Figures & Stats
Standout Players
Grace VanSlooten (F): Averaged 15.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, named to All‑Big Ten Second Team .
Julia Ayrault (F): At 14.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, All-Big Ten Second Team, contributed 45 blocks .
Theryn Hallock (G): 13.6 PPG, team assist leader with 90, earned Honorable Mention All‑Big Ten .
Jocelyn Tate: Led team in steals with 72 .
Team Playing Style
Balanced scoring, with seven players averaging 5.7+ PPG .
A resilient defensive presence, reflected in holding Harvard and competing against NC State.
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📊 Broader Context & Analysis
Big Ten Conference Strength
The Big Ten had 12 teams qualify— a conference record and most of any league in the tournament .
MSU’s seeding needs to be viewed within a deep, competitive league context.
Tournament Trends
No major upsets occurred in the women’s tournament: no team seeded 11 or lower won, nor did any seed 6‑10 win in Round of 32 .
Thus, MSU as 7‑seed losing to 2‑seed followed typical bracket outcomes.
Program’s Historical Journey
MSU has appeared in 20 NCAA tournaments, with a 21–20 record .
Notable past performances: Sweet 16 in 2005 (Elite Eight) and Second Rounds through the years.
This year’s tournament adds a First to Second round victory, reflecting an upward trajectory under Fralick.
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📝 Summary & Implications
Michigan State’s No. 7 seed in 2025 reflects a successful season:
Consistent 20+ win marks—22–10 overall.
Second straight NCAA appearance under Robyn Fralick, becoming the first MSU coach to do so in first two seasons.
A program entrenched in tournament lore, with 20 all-time bids and 17 in the last 22 years.
While the journey ended in the Round of 32 against a strong NC State team, this season reaffirmed MSU as a solid, ascending program:
1. Seeded 7th, the highest since 2016.
2. Beat Harvard in the first round with balanced scoring and tough defense.
3. Competitive vs. Powerhouse NC State, even if the final result was one-sided.
4. Continued player development, with multiple individual awards in Big Ten all-conference selections.
5. A strong foundation for future seasons and deeper runs in upcoming tournaments.
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Final Takeaways
2024–25 Season: Marked by growth, resilience, and national attention.
Seeding: No. 7 in a loaded regional.
Result: First-round win, Sweet 16 was out of reach.
Outlook: With Fralick at the helm and returning talent, MSU is poised for deeper NCAA runs in the next few years.
If you’d like analysis on specific games, player development, or how this shapes recruiting, I’d be glad to dive in further!
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