Wisconsin women’s basketball head coach Lisa Stone made it clear that she and her team have one thing on their minds this week: round two with the Michigan State Spartans Thursday.
“Our job is to continue to focus on the task at hand and the next game ahead of us and try to get better every day,” Stone said.

Wisconsin is now tied with just Penn State for first place in the Big Ten, but the Badgers are very aware that Michigan State is only one-half of a game behind. Not only are the Badgers playing for a win that would knock the Spartans even further out of contention for a Big Ten title, but they are also playing for pride.

“The Kohl Center is an unbelievable place to play; we love the fact that we are at home and in front of our fans,” Stone said. “You take a lot of pride in playing at home, I know our players do.”
Last time around, the Badgers had an unpleasant experience at the Spartans’ home in East Lansing, losing 62-43. The Badgers had 12 turnovers, many of which were converted to baskets off the fast break by the Spartans.

“We turned it over a few times and they got into a transition and they lead 21-20 at the half,” Stone said. “We came back out and didn’t respond. Those first four minutes of the second half, they really got after it. … We knew they were going to come out with a bigger punch, and they did.”

Indeed, the second half was rough for Wisconsin. The Badgers were outscored 41-32 in the last 20 minutes of the game, something Stone credited to the fact that UW’s leading rebounder, Lin Zastrow, was out with a head injury. Zastrow’s absence was noticeable, as the Badgers were out-rebounded 45-21. Wisconsin also shot just .326 from the field.

Stone has much higher expectations for this week’s game and is excited to have her team at full force with Zastrow healthy. Zastrow has cleaned the glass, but she is also a key defensive token for the Badgers. Stone is aware that Kalisha Keane and Lykendra Johnson are both very strong and skilled post players for the Spartans, but she expressed confidence that Zastrow can handle them.

“I certainly hope the credit will come to Lin at the end of the season when it comes to an all defensive player,” Stone said. “She has held some of the best post players in the country at bay. She anchors our defense.”

In Sunday’s win over Northwestern, Zastrow held Amy Jaeschke – who averages 24 points per game – to just 10. Wisconsin has leaned on Zastrow – as well as the rest of the senior class – to pull them through difficult times this year, such as the seven-game losing streak the Badgers eventually put an end to Dec. 9 at Drake.

Keys for the upcoming battle with the Spartans, according to Stone, are to understand the players they are up against and to be a stronger presence on the boards. As always, Stone tasked her seniors with the most responsibility.

“We will go as far as our seniors will take us.”