Mississippi State Bulldogs
Overall Rank: #11
Conference Rank: #2 SEC
Mississippi State lost a heartbreaker in the national championship game to Notre Dame. It was the culmination of a superb few seasons under Coach Vic Schaefer. Now with four starters gone, the Bulldogs have some reloading to do. Mississippi State should not drop off too far, but getting a third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament finals is probably asking a bit too much.
2017-18 Record: 37-2, 16-0
2017-18 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Vic Schaefer
Coach Record: 161-53 at Mississippi State, 241-163 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Victoria Vivians, Guard, 19.8 ppg
Roshunda Johnson, Guard, 11.3 ppg
Blair Schaefer, Guard, 9.1 ppg
Morgan William, Guard, 8.2 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Teaira McCowan, Senior, Center, 18.2 ppg
Jazzmun Holmes, Senior, Guard, 4.2 ppg
Chloe Bibby, Sophomore, Forward, 3.9 ppg
Jordan Danberry, Senior, Guard, 2.8 ppg
Zion Campbell, Junior, Center, 2.0 ppg
Bre’Amber Scott, Sophomore, Guard, 1.7 ppg
Nyah Tate, Sophomore, Guard, 1.5 ppg
Key New Players
Jessika Carter, Freshman, Forward/Center
Anriel Howard, Senior, Forward, Grad Transfer from Texas A&M
Myah Taylor, RS Freshman, Guard
Xaria Wiggins, Freshman, Guard
Andra Espinoza-Hunter, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from UConn, not eligible
Promise Taylor, Sophomore, Center, Transfer from Ole Miss, not eligible
Projection:
Teaira McCowan will be a great piece to build around. The 6-7 senior is a huge force on both ends of the floor and averaged 18.2 points, 13.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. With less experience around her, McCowan could do even more during her senior season. The addition of Texas A&M transfer Anriel Howard will make this one of the most dangerous frontcourts in the country. Last year with the Aggies Howard averaged 12.1 points and 12.2 rebounds and she should be very productive during her lone season with the Bulldogs. Jazzmun Holmes is an experienced senior who will take over the point guard duties. Jordan Danberry and center Zion Campbell have some experience too and sophomores Chloe Bibby, Bre’Amber Scott and Nyah Tate have the potential to make a larger impact. The freshmen class is pretty good too with Jessika Carter and Xaria Wiggins. Redshirt freshman Myah Taylor has experience with the scout team and is a very talented guard who should make a big impact this season. Mississippi State is young and inexperienced at spots, but there a lot of talent on this roster.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 81.1 (11th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 56.4 (21, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.8 (14, 2)
Field-Goal Defense:39.0 (101, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.1 (75, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.9 (7, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.6 (56, 3)
Rebound Margin: 5.5 (46, 5)
Assists Per Game: 15.4 (57, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.8 (3, 1)
Madness 2019 WNBA Draft Rankings:
#2 Teaira McCowan
Madness 2018 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#45 Xaria Wiggins
#53 Jessika Carter
