February is an important month for No. 12 Michigan State women’s basketball. With four of its seven games coming against ranked opponents — three of them at home — it is a stretch that will determine whether the Spartans are a true Big Ten contender.

MSU women's basketball prepares for top-25 clash against struggling Maryland squad - The State News
Michigan State women’s basketball faces another critical test in February as the Spartans welcome No. 22 Maryland to the Breslin Center. With four ranked matchups this month, MSU continues a stretch that could define its standing in the Big Ten race. Maryland enters on a four-game losing streak but remains dangerous behind breakout guard Oluchi Okananwa and sharpshooter Yarden Garzon. The matchup also carries personal significance for senior guard Jalyn Brown, a Baltimore native, as the Spartans look to bounce back from a narrow overtime loss to Michigan.