MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — A critical late-season Big Ten women’s basketball showdown with conference title implications is set for Sunday when Michigan State visits Minnesota at Williams Arena. Both teams enter with identical 21-6 overall records, creating a logjam near the top of the nation’s premier conference. The matchup features two of the league’s most dynamic guards in Michigan State’s Kennedy Blair and Minnesota’s Mara Braun, whose performances will likely dictate the tempo and outcome. The Spartans are looking to build momentum after a dominant 104-68 victory over Northwestern on Wednesday, where Blair posted 17 points and 10 assists. However, Michigan State has been inconsistent in February, alternating wins and losses over its past six games. Prior to the Northwestern win, the Spartans dropped an 86-65 decision at Michigan. In contrast, the Golden Gophers are riding a surge of confidence, having won eight consecutive games since a Jan. 14 loss to UCLA. Their streak includes impressive road victories at Iowa and Penn State. Minnesota is coming off a 74-61 win over Ohio State on Wednesday, led by Braun’s 18 points. Blair has been a triple-double threat for the Spartans, averaging a near double-double over her last seven contests. She recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds in the loss at Michigan and had 21 points and 10 rebounds in an overtime loss to Michigan on Feb. 1. Braun has been the steady force for Minnesota’s winning streak, scoring in double figures in seven of the last eight games. She dropped 22 points at Penn State on Jan. 28 and 20 at Wisconsin on Feb. 15, providing consistent offensive firepower. The game will be a battle of strengths: Michigan State’s high-powered offense, which eclipsed 100 points in its last outing, against a disciplined Minnesota defense that has held opponents to 67 points or fewer in five of the last eight wins. The Spartans will need secondary scoring from players like Grace VanSlooten to counter Minnesota’s balanced attack, which saw Sophie Hart score 18 against Ohio State. With both teams tied in the loss column and the regular season winding down, Sunday’s result will carry significant weight for seeding in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament and positioning for the NCAA Tournament. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST.