Teams have been seeded, and fans will be seated as the 2025 Women’s March Madness tournament kicks off this week. The Spartans start their run this Saturday against Harvard.
WKAR’s Melorie Begay spoke with WKAR sports reporter Al Martin to learn more about this matchup and how far MSU could go.
Interview Highlights
On head coach Robyn Fralick leading MSU women to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances
She's a winner. She's been a winner everywhere she's gone. You know, she came to MSU from Bowling Green, led BGSU to a 31-7 record that matched the school and Mid-American Conference records for most in a single season. And then, prior to Bowling Green, Fralick had an insane run ... as the head coach over at Ashland University. In three seasons, she accumulated an overall record of 104-3. Insane. That was the highest winning percentage in NCAA history at any level. So it's no surprise that she comes in and is doing what she's doing as the head of this program.
On an interesting tidbit about the upcoming game against Harvard
Robyn Fralick, head coach of Michigan State, is pretty familiar with Harvard head coach Carrie Moore, from a different time in both of their lives. Moore actually starred at Western Michigan in the mid-2000s while Fralick was a grad assistant there. Moore is also a Michigan native, left WMU as the school's all-time leading scorer. So, there's something to think about when you're watching Michigan State and Harvard go at it.
On whether the women's tournament will continue to attract record breaking audiences
No question. And that's what's truly been the treat these last few years is to really watch the popularity of women's basketball just go through the roof ... You're seeing an emergence of superstars come out that really get people and fans to lean in. JuJu Watkins over at USC, Paige Bueckers at UConn, Hannah Hildago at Notre Dame, a team that many people believe, like myself, to go to the Final Four this year. So it's awesome to see, and it is long overdue.
Interview Transcript
Melorie Begay: Teams have been seeded, and fans will be seated as the 2025 Women’s March Madness tournament kicks off this week. The Spartans start their run this Saturday against Harvard.
I spoke with WKAR sports reporter Al Martin to learn more about this matchup and how far MSU could go.
Let's start with Coach Robyn Fralick. This is the second appearance the Spartan woman will be making at the NCAA Tournament in as many years as Coach Fralick has been leading the team. To make the tournament back-to-back, Al, how big is that for the women's team?
Al Martin: It's major. And I want to harp on the job that Robyn Fralick has done with this squad in the still preliminary stages of her Michigan State head coaching career. She's a winner. She's a winner. She's been a winner everywhere she's gone. You know, she came to MSU from Bowling Green, led BGSU to a 31-7 record that matched the school and Mid-American Conference records for most in a single season.
And then, prior to Bowling Green, Fralick had an insane run, Melorie, as the head coach over at Ashland University. In three seasons, she accumulated an overall record of 104-3. Insane. That was the highest winning percentage in NCAA history at any level.
So, it's no surprise that she comes in and is doing what she's doing as the head of this program, 21-9. You know, there was a bit of fall off at the back 9 of the season, but 21-9 is pretty solid for a highly competitive Big Ten Conference.
Begay: Now this tournament is split into four regions. MSU will play in the Spokane 1 region. Who else is on the side of the bracket?
Martin: Yeah, when you look at that side of the bracket, Melorie, you have UCLA, which is always a tough draw. They are the No. 1 seed in that region.
The No. 2 seed is NC State. NC State is always a tough team as well. LSU, of course, you know Angel Reese, her emergence has really put a spotlight on the LSU program, but they were LSU before Angel Reese as well.
So, no question, it's a tough part of the bracket. But I do believe that Michigan State has a favorable matchup when looking at their matchup against Harvard.
Is it impossible for Michigan State to make a deep run? I never say anything is impossible when it comes to this time of the year. That's why they call it March Madness, Melorie.
Begay: Hopefully the madness madness-es, I don't know.
Martin: Yes, for sure. Let's hope.
Begay: As you mentioned, the No. 7 seed Spartan women are scheduled to meet the No. 10 seed Harvard this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. What do you think of this matchup? And who do you think gets the win here?
Martin: I'm going with Michigan State in this matchup. It's not going to be easy, though, because Harvard is a solid team, just a very good team from top to bottom, they do just about everything well.
If the Spartans get past Harvard, they'll likely face No. 2 seed and host NC State next week, Monday, which is going to be a tough draw. But you know, this is Michigan State's highest seeding, being a No. 4 seed since 2016 when they were No. 4 seed, I should say this is the highest seeding since then.
For a while, the Spartans were on track to perhaps get a No. 4 seed this season. That means that you get a chance to host the first two rounds, but then they go on to lose sixof their last 10 games, that's why I always say, it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
But Harvard is a very tough team, and I want to bring up this Melorie, I think this is very interesting. Robyn Fralick, head coach of Michigan State, is pretty familiar with Harvard head coach Carrie Moore, from a different time in both of their lives.
Moore actually starred at Western Michigan in the mid-2000s while Fralick was a grad assistant there. Moore is also a Michigan native, left WMU as the school's all-time leading scorer.
So, there's something to think about when you're watching Michigan State and Harvard go at it. Robyn Fralick and Kerry Moore. Interesting connection there.
Begay: Last year, the women's NCAA tournament finals outshined the men's finals, in terms of viewership. More than 18 million tuned in to watch Iowa versus South Carolina. That's about four million more than those who watched the men's final. This year, do you think we'll continue to see more eyes on the women's tournament?
Martin: No question. And that's what's truly been the treat these last few years is to really watch the popularity of women's basketball just go through the roof.
Of course, you want to pinpoint the Caitlin Clark effect, right? You know Caitlin Clark, former star player at the University of Iowa, and that, that rivalry between her and Angel Reese, as I mentioned before at LSU that kind of sparked things.
Now, though you're seeing an emergence of superstars, you know, come out that really get people and fans to lean in. JuJu Watkins over at USC, Paige Bueckers at UConn, Hannah Hildago at Notre Dame, a team that many people believe, like myself, to go to the Final Four this year. So, it's awesome to see, and it is long overdue.
Begay: So much to look forward to. Al Martin is WKAR’s sports reporter. Thanks for joining me.
Martin: Thank you so much, Melorie. Enjoy the madness.
Begay: Thanks, you too.
This conversation has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
