Suzy Merchant is 68-35 entering her fourth season in East Lansing and is setting expectations high again.EAST LANSING -- The loss of touted freshman Madison Williams to an ACL injury two weeks ago changed things for the Michigan State women’s basketball team, if only from a size standpoint.
Williams, who is 6-foot-7 with long arms, was expected to play extensive minutes at center and be a primary rebounder.
She appeared to be the perfect recruiting fit for a team that lost 6-9 center Allyssa DeHaan of Grandville to graduation. DeHaan was the the Big Ten defensive player of the year and is second all time in NCAA history in blocked shots.
“Things don’t always go as you plan,” Michigan State coach Suzy Merchant said. “But, like I told the captains, ‘if there is any program in the country that can handle losing key players at key times in the beginning of the season, end of season, this is a team that can do it.’”
Last year, returning forward Courtney Schiffauer tore her ACL in the second game of the season.
Brittney Thomas, a senior guard and captain, is another who has missed a chunk of her career with an ACL injury.
Other key players in recent seasons -- such as Aisha Jefferson, Mia Johnson, Taja Wilson and Lauren Aith -- also have been victims of ACL injuries for the Spartans.
Scan the roster for size, and the Spartans are loaded with talented forwards and guards, but only redshirt freshman Kelsey Smith (6-4) and Annalise Pickrel of Grand Rapids (6-3), another high-profile freshman recruit, are taller than 6-1.
Pickrel, whose versatility and ability to play outside as well as inside was showcased while leading Grand Rapids Catholic Central to a state championship last winter, will be leaned on even more than expected with the loss of Williams.
“We might be harder to guard inside out with Annalise because she has the ability to shoot threes and handle (the ball) and score a little bit on the block,” Merchant said. “Our makeup changes a little bit, no question about that, but I think our kids have really responded to that.”
BY THE NUMBERS
1,022
-- Forward Kalisha Keane’s career points, 20th all time at Michigan State.
60
-- Percent of the team’s scoring from last year that returns.
25
-- National ranking in Associated Press preseason poll.
23
-- Wins a year ago for the Spartans against 10 losses.
16
-- Opponents on the schedule that played in the 2010 postseason.
6
-- Players on the roster who have started at least one game at MSU.
5
-- Opponents on schedule who are in the preseason national rankings.
4
-- Years Suzy Merchant (68-35) will have as MSU coach after this season.
Merchant said women’s basketball has changed in recent years, from an emphasis on power to teams that play up-tempo with three and four guards on the floor.
Pickrel, who Merchant thinks can play all five positions on the floor if necessary, fits well in that regard.
“I feel like we have to figure out what we need to do post-defense wise, but Annalise is one who can certainly help us in there,” Merchant said.
The freshman class, which also includes last year’s Miss Basketball winner in Michigan, guard Klarissa Bell of East Lansing, was expected to contribute, but the cupboard was hardly bare.
The Spartans return players who accounted for 68 percent of the minutes, 60 percent of the scoring, 85 percent of the 3-point shots, 61 percent of the rebounds, 78 percent of the assists and 84 percent of the steals from last year’s 23-10 team that finished second to Ohio State in the Big Ten Conference and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Several players also are back from a team that led the Big Ten in scoring defense, and held conference opponents to a Big Ten record 35.1 percent field-goal percentage.
Thomas, 12th all time at Michigan State with 305 career assists and second all time in minutes played in the green and while (33.1 per game), and senior forward Kalisha Keane, last year’s Big Ten sixth person of the year and a 3-point shooting threat, are the key returning players.
Lykendra Johnson, another regular starter in her career, Schiffauer, Cetera Washington, Porsche Poole and Jasmine Thomas also return with various levels of playing experience, and will be part of the playing rotation.
“I feel strongly that we have some of the pieces of the puzzle,” Merchant said. “Our success will depend on the leadership and consistency of our seniors as well a how well the bring along the young kids and get them to compete at a high level.”
Merchant is 68-35 entering her fourth season at Michigan State. Her teams have finished second in consecutive years to Ohio State, which returns its starting five this season.
The Spartans have won at least 20 games in seven consecutive seasons, and Merchant expects success.
“That’s why we’re here,” she said. “We expect to compete for championships.”
Pickrel feels the Spartans have a strong mix of experience and skill. She thinks the team can compete for the title, and just wants to do her part.
“I’ll play wherever I’m needed,” she said. “I don’t mind banging inside if that’s what I have to do. This team has a lot of talented players, and I think we’ll be a tough defensive team that keeps the pressure on the other team.”
Thomas said the team will respond well to the Williams injury.
“It’s never a good time for it to happen, but at least in happened before we had gotten used to her contributions,” she said. “We were going to be a more up-tempo, scrappy, defensive team that hit the boards anyway. And we have depth. We don’t have to change our plans about playing for the championship.”
E-mail Greg Johnson: gjohnson@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/gregjohnsongrp