With just under three minutes remaining in the game against Michigan State on Jan. 23, Illinois forward Jacqui Grant had a chance to make the biggest shot of her young college career, and give the Illini their biggest win of the year. The score was 48-46 in favor of Illinois when the freshman received a pass on the wing from guard Amber Moore. Before the Spartans’ defense could successfully close out, Grant swished a 3-pointer to give the Illini a commanding five-point lead and swing the momentum for the remainder of the game. Illinois took the game 61-51 on the road, in what has been the team’s biggest win of the year so far.

Now, the Illini (9-13, 2-7 Big Ten) will have a chance to repeat that performance in front of a home crowd.

“It was a huge win for us,” Grant said. “Michigan State, I think, has some of the best talent in the Big Ten. … It proved that any team can beat any other Big Ten team. All of us are pretty good. It was definitely a quality win for us, and we hope we can do it again.”

Unfortunately, Illinois’ biggest win was also its most recent. Since then, the team has dropped three games, two at State Farm Center. The Illini are currently on a five-game home losing streak.

“After last game (against Indiana) we were shaken up a bit,” Grant said when asked about the team’s confidence. “We’re definitely coming up from that, and that’s always a positive. We’re all starting to get it back, slowly but surely. Especially after our last loss, we definitely know what we have to do to win, and we’re going to get it done.”

Grant described the No. 24 Spartans (15-7, 7-2) as a team with quick, fast guards complemented by lengthy bigs. Michigan State is led by senior forward Annalise Pickrel and freshmen guards Aerial Powers and Tori Jankoska. Pickrel and Jankoska are threats from beyond the arc, as they account for 56.5 percent (82-of-145) of the Spartans’ 3-pointers on the season. Powers’ ability to penetrate the lane makes her a threat to put the Illini in foul trouble. Powers has attempted 103 free throws on the year, 34 more than the next best figure on the team.

The last time these two teams met, the Illini shut down the perimeter, holding the Spartans to 3-of-20 shooting from 3-point land and a season low in total points for the game. Illinois also attacked the basket at will, going to the foul line 25 times to Michigan State’s 15. Grant said the Illini will have to take pride in their defense to win their third consecutive game against the Spartans.

Some fresh faces may get some playing time for the Illini, head coach Matt Bollant said. After Illinois’ 58-77 loss to Indiana on Sunday, Bollant said he would consider making lineup changes and redistributing minutes to some of his bench players such as Sarah Livingston, Taylor Tuck, Taylor Gleason and Nia Oden. 

“I believe in what (Bollant) says,” Grant said. “As long as the team wins, is how I look at it. I trust him and I trust his decisions. If it means adjusting minutes, it means adjusting minutes. As long as we win and we play as a team and we play to our ability, I’m OK with that.”

Blake can be reached at [email protected].