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SEC Preview: South Carolina, Mississippi State, Tennessee and much more

By Blake DuDonis

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 16: Tennessee Lady Volunteers head coach Holly Warlick is interviewed by former Lady Vol, now ESPN commentator, Kara Lawson after a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Tennessee Lady Volunteers on January 16, 2017, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. Tennessee upset the Irish 71-69. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 16: Tennessee Lady Volunteers head coach Holly Warlick is interviewed by former Lady Vol, now ESPN commentator, Kara Lawson after a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Tennessee Lady Volunteers on January 16, 2017, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. Tennessee upset the Irish 71-69. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Mississippi State Bulldogs 
Predicted finish: 1st 

Key returners (last season’s stats)
G- Victoria Vivians- 6’1, SR- 16.2 PPG, 37%FG, 28% 3pt, 4.2 RPG, 29 MPG, First Team All-SEC, AP Third Team All-American
G- Morgan William- 5’5, SR- 10.9 PPG, 46%FG, 36% 3pt, 1.5 SPG, 29 MPG, Second Team All-SEC
C- Teaira McCowan- 6’7,JR- 8.7 PPG, 57%FG, 7.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 20 MPG, 6th Woman of the Year

Biggest losses (last season’s stats)
C- Chinwe Okorie, 6’5- 7.5 PPG, 56%FG, 5.4 RPG, 19 MPG
F- Breanna Richardson, 6’1- 7.5 PPG, 51%FG, 4.8 RPG, 22 MPG
G- Dominique Dillingham, 5’9- 6.6 PPG, 38%FG, 37% 3pt, 29 MPG, All-Defensive
F- Ketara Chapel, 6’1- 3.0 PPG, 48%FG, 2.2 RPG, 16 MPG

Newcomers
G- Jordan Danberry, 5’8, (Arkansas), R-So- Eligible at the conclusion of the fall semester, mid-year transfer from Arkansas, Ranked #44 in 2015 class, #12 point guard
G- Myah Taylor, 5’7, (Olive Branch, MS), FR- Ranked #52 in 2017 class, #11 point guard
G- Nyah Tate, 6’0, (Terry, MS), FR- Ranked #164 in 2017 class, #41 shooting guard
F- Jonika Garvin, 6’0, (Palm Beach State CC), JR- Averaged 16 PPG at Palm Beach State, Ranked #245 in 2015 class, #51 small forward
G- Bre’Amber Scott, 5’11, (Little Rock, AR), FR- Ranked #263 in 2017 class, #73 shooting guard
F- Chloe Bibby, 6’1, (Warracknabeal, Australia), FR

Head Coach- Vic Schaefer, 6th season
For many years, Gary Blair and Vic Schaefer were inseparable. Working under Blair at both Arkansas and Texas A&M, Schaefer’s alma mater, the duo complied many wins together that culminated in a national championship for the Aggies in 2011. During his time at A&M, Schaefer earned the nickname ‘The Secretary of Defense’ due to the aggressive, extended defense that A&M always played. Schaefer brought that same in-your-face style to Starkville and in just five seasons led the Bulldogs all the way to the National Championship game. Mississippi State has increased their win total every season since Schaefer arrived, including setting the school’s all-time mark last year with 34. Though defense is his calling card, the Bulldogs were 22nd in the country last season in scoring, putting in 75.9 PPG. The success is paying off in recruiting as the Bulldogs have a number of highly touted players coming in next season but he still returns plenty this season. Schaefer will look to do the two things that have alluded him thus far during his tenure: beat South Carolina and win an SEC championship.

Key non-conference games
Nov. 23- Arizona State (neutral site)
Dec. 13- Oregon
Dec. 21- Syracuse (neutral site)

Outlook
The Shot. In what will be remembered as one of the great moments in women’s basketball history, Morgan William (generously listed at 5’5) stopped on a dime, rose up and nailed a shot at the buzzer to end UConn’s 111-game winning streak and send the Bulldogs to their first ever National Championship appearance. Even more impressive than that one shot though was the 41 points she poured in against Baylor to reach the Final Four, hitting corner three after corner three to shock the Bears. William is back, as is the high-scoring, though sometimes inefficient, Victoria Vivians. Shot selection aside, there aren’t many players that can hit as many tough shots as Vivians can and she will surely be asked to do that again. Teaira McCowan had moments of brilliance last season, most notably when she notched 20 points, seven rebounds and five blocks in the fourth quarter alone in the Bulldogs win over Washington in the Sweet Sixteen. The loss of four seniors who all played a role, notably Dominque Dillingham who drew over 120 charges during her career, will hurt, but there is more than enough left to win it all. Don’t forget: besides just UConn, Baylor and Washington, this team also beat Texas and Oregon last season. While this season’s non-conference schedule leaves some to be desired, Mississippi State should be more than ready to make a run and win the SEC title for the first time ever.

Best Case Scenario- Vivians, William and McCowan become one of the best trios in the nation, the offense continues to look good, they beat South Carolina for the first time under Schaefer and win the SEC, earning its first ever #1 seed in the NCAA tournament

Worst Case Scenario- The team struggles with the target now squarely on them, loss of the seniors makes a bigger impact that anticipated, South Carolina beats them in Starkville and the Bulldogs come up just short again, tying for 3rd

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