Mississippi State Bulldogs
Overall Rank: #10
Conference Rank: #2 SEC
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With the seven players from the regular rotation returning to a team that reached the Sweet 16, the expectations are very high at Mississippi State. And with so much experience on the roster, the expectations should be very high. That is especially true when one of those players is Victoria Vivians. The versatile 6-1 guard led the team with 17.1 points per game and took all of the big shots for Mississippi State. She is not afraid to take three-pointers, but could stand to improve a little bit on her 30.9 shooting percentage from long range. Even when her shot is not falling, Vivians is extremely dangerous using her size and strength to finish around the basket.
2015-16 Record: 28-8, 11-5
2015-16 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Vic Schaefer
Coach Record: 90-45 at Mississippi State, 170-155 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
LaKaris Salter, Forward, 3.7 ppg
Kayla Nevitt, Guard, 3.5 ppg
Sherise Williams, Forward, 2.1 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Victoria Vivians, Guard, 17.1 ppg
Morgan William, Junior, Guard, 9.7 ppg
Dominique Dillingham, Senior, Guard, 7.9 ppg
Chinwe Okorie, Senior, Center, 6.8 ppg
Ketara Chapel, Senior, Forward, 4.7 ppg
Teaira McCowan, Sophomore, Center, 6.6 ppg
Breanna Richardson, Senior, Forward, 5.6 ppg
Blair Schaefer, Junior, Guard, 2.8 ppg
Jazzmun Holmes, Sophomore, Guard, 1.9 ppg
Key New Players
Jacaira Allen Freshman, Guard
Zion Campbell, RS Freshman, Center
Roshunda Johnson, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Oklahoma State
Ameshya Williams, Freshman, Forward
Projection
Morgan William will again run the point after averaging 9.7 points and 4.9 assists. William is not much of a shooter, but there are not many players who drive to the basket as well as the 5-5 junior. Dominique Dillingham was a regular starter on the perimeter last season too and averaged 7.9 points per game. With depth added with Blair Schaefer, Jazzmun Holmes, incoming freshman Jacaira Allen and Oklahoma State transfer Roshunda Johnson, Mississippi State could go eight or nine deep this year if needed. Ketara Chapel and Chinwe Okori are the returning starters in the frontcourt and Teaira McCowan and Breanna Richardson are productive and experienced reserves. Okori was the most productive last season, averaging 6.8 points and a team high 6.0 rebounds, but keep an eye out for McCowan. As a freshman last year the 6-7 center averaged 6.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in just 13.7 minutes per game. If she can even play 20 minutes per game this year, she could be looking at All-SEC accolades.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.2 (82nd in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 55.9 (27, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 39.7 (168, 10)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.0 (94, 8)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.8 (223, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 29.9 (231, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.8 (72, 2)
Rebound Margin: 5.1 (51, 5)
Assists Per Game: 13.3 (142, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.7 (87, 2)
Madness 2016 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#74 Jacaira Allen
