MSU women will pass on postseason

Michigan State's women's basketball team will not accept a postseason invitation, citing injuries to its players, MSU announced Monday.

The Spartans (16-15) were considered candidates for the Women's NIT.

MSU coach Suzy Merchant says the Spartans are down to eight healthy players.

"I am incredibly proud of what this year's team accomplished under such challenging circumstances," Merchant said. "While we could have participated in postseason play, after talking with our senior student-athletes, and our entire team, it truly is in our student-athletes' best interest right now to rest, recover and then we can begin to prepare for the future as the spring unfolds."

Michigan State finished ninth in the Big Ten this season with a 7-11 conference record. The Spartans concluded the regular season with three consecutive wins, then defeated Michigan before losing to Maryland in the Big Ten tournament.