CHAMPAIGN — Cierra Rice grew up a Michigan State fan.
Before her move to the Detroit area, Rice was born in East Lansing, Mich., and since both of her parents, Marvin and Valeria, were alumni of Michigan State, it only made sense that Rice would cheer on the Spartans as a youngster.
"So, I always grew up not liking Michigan," said Rice, who turned down an offer from Michigan and joined the Illinois women's basketball program in 2015.
But ...
"I didn't have anything against them the older I got because I had no real personal ties like my parents did," Rice added.