MSU women's basketball: Process-driven philosophy will ultimately lead to success
Title IX, gaining women the right to equal opportunity in sports, was signed into law in 1972. To commemorate the 50-year anniversary, the Lansing State Journal is highlighting all 12 women's sports at Michigan State in a series of articles throughout fall 2022.
More:A closer look at 50 years of Title IX and women's sports at MSU
The MSU women's basketball team became an official varsity sport in 1972. Since then, the program has had five head coaches and 11 athletes inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame. In February 1982, Michigan State hosted the first Big Ten women's basketball championship, in which all 10 teams competed.
Kristin Haynie, a former MSU basketball player out of Mason who is 15th on the program's career scoring list, is in her third year as an assistant coach for the Spartans. Haynie is grateful for those that came before her and made it possible for her and others to play college basketball.
"I wouldn't have been here if wasn't for the athletes who spoke up and helped pass that legislation," Haynie said. "My mom was a great athlete, but she didn't have the opportunity (to play). I'm very fortunate and I wouldn't have the friends that I have, and to play overseas and live in different countries, so I'm very grateful."
Defining moment
First national title game — The 2005 NCAA women's basketball championship game marked the first and only time MSU women's basketball competed in a national title game. In the run up to the final game, the Spartans faced a Tennessee team that was a top seed and playing in its 16th Final Four. MSU came back from a 16-point deficit to win the game, the largest margin a team had overcome in an NCAA semifinal matchup.
It was a dream season for the Spartans, who had never before advanced past the second round in the NCAA tournament. Although the team was not able to defeat powerhouse Baylor in the championship game, the run put MSU on the women's basketball map.
The 2005 season included a share of the Big Ten title and a school-record 17-game winning streak. Star guard Lindsay Bowen led the Big Ten in 3-point field goals made and Haynie led the conference in assists.
More:After thinking career might be over, Moira Joiner relishing return with MSU women's basketball
By the numbers
NCAA tournament appearances: 18
Big Ten championships: 4
Big Ten tournament championships: 1
Number of games in a season: 30 (18 at home)
Ticket price: Reserved seats are $14 ($8 for adults, and $3 for youth, seniors, free for MSU students)
Players on the current roster: 17
Coaching staff: 6
Hours of practice in a typical week: 20
Players who've gone on to the WNBA: 8
More:Michigan State women's basketball star Nia Clouden goes in first round of WNBA draft
Where the program is now
The Spartans were hit with a series of injuries in recent years. Now back at full strength, coach Suzy Merchant and Co. hope to establish themselves as contenders in a competitive Big Ten, which had five teams ranked in the preseason AP Top 25.
The team got off to a strong start, winning their first six games before dropping their last four, including the Big Ten opener in overtime on Monday against Purdue.
Haynie, a member of the MSU Hall of Fame, believes the team has the pieces to succeed and win championships. Still in the early stages of the season, Haynie emphasizes the process of learning and developing the players in the long run.
"Sometimes, like right now we're struggling a little bit, Haynie said. "Ultimately, we want to play our best basketball in the middle and at the end of the season. It's a process, it's a journey and we're not going to be great right now, but every day we're getting better."
To learn more about the women's basketball team at Michigan State — including upcoming matchups, individual or team stats (updated in real time) and a live countdown to its next game — visit msuspartans.com/sports/womens-basketball.
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What the future holds
The MSU women's basketball schedule runs from October to March, with the Big Ten tournament from March 1-5. The first round of the NCAA tournament begins on March 17. Last year, six Big Ten teams appeared in the tournament. The last time a Big Ten team won the NCAA title was Purdue back in 1999. Prior to joining the Big Ten, Maryland won the title in 2006.
Haynie hopes to help Merchant bring championships back to East Lansing. The goal this season will be to appear in the NCAA tournament and make a deep run.
"I bleed Green and White," Haynie said. "To get back into the Final Four would be amazing and to win Big Ten championships. We're going to get there by continuing to build this program."
How to watch
The MSU women's basketball team plays their home games at the Breslin Center. The Spartans' schedule can be found on their website at msuspartans.com/sports/womensbasketball. Home games along with other Big Ten matchups can be streamed on BTN+ with a subscription (free if you're on campus).
This article is part of a larger project looking back at 50 years of Title IX and what women's sports at MSU look like today. To see the full project, click here.
Veronica Bolanos is a news assistant at the Lansing State Journal. Contact her at VBolanos@lsj.com or 517.267.0460. Follow her on Twitter @BVeronica19.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State women's basketball: A look at defining moments
