The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The Spartans play home basketball games at the Breslin Student Events Center on the university campus in East Lansing, Michigan.

In 2005, the Spartans won 33 games (a school record), advancing all the way to the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament championship, before losing 84–62 to Baylor.

The Spartans have made 19 appearances in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.

The Spartans made one appearance in the AIAW women's basketball tournament, with a combined record of 0–2.