They've had better seasons, record-wise. Lots of them.
But Michigan State women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant hasn't been more proud of a team than this one, given everything that's been thrown at them, namely a series of critical season-ending injuries.
Their depth sapped, the Spartans still managed to pull out a thrilling 73-69 win over Purdue in their first game of the Big Ten tournament Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The victory means Merchant should avoid her first-ever losing season in 15 years as head coach at Michigan State (15-14), and just her second in 27 seasons as a college head coach.