2018-19 SEC preview: Will Mississippi State or South Carolina prevail?
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Last season: 37-2 (16-0, 1st)
Predicted finish this season: 1st
Key returners (last season’s stats)
C- Teaira McCowan, 6’7, SR- 18.2 PPG, 13.9 RPG (2nd in NCAA), 6 ORPG (1st in NCAA), 2.1 BPG, 60.1% FG, 30.5 MPG, First Team All-SEC, All-Defensive, SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Third Team AP All-American
Biggest losses (last season’s stats)
G-Victoria Vivians, 6’1- 19.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 48.5% FG, 40.4% 3pt, 31.3 MPG, First Team All-SEC, First Team AP All-American (graduated)
G- Roshunda Johnson, 5’7- 11.7 PPG, 41.8% 3pt, 1.9 SPG, 29.9 MPG (graduated)
G- Blair Schaefer, 5’7- 9.1 PPG, 41.3% 3pt, 32.1 MPG, All-Defensive selection (graduated)
PG- Morgan William, 5’5- 8.2 PPG, 4.5 APG, 3.7 AST/TO (3rd in NCAA), 25.2 MPG (graduated)
Newcomers
F- Jessika Carter, 6’5, (Waverly Hall, GA), FR- Ranked #46 in 2018 class, #5 center
G- Xaria Wiggins, 6’1, (Virginia Beach, VA), FR- Ranked #54 in 2018 class, #9 small forward
G- Myah Taylor, 5’7 (Olive Branch, MS), R-FR- Ranked #52 in 2017 class, #11 point guard. Redshirted last season.
F- Anriel Howard, 5’11, (Texas A&M/ Atlanta, GA), RS-SR- Averaged 12.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG at Texas A&M. Graduate transfer.
Head Coach- Vic Schaefer, 7th season
At some point, the Bulldogs can’t keep improving upon their previous season; right? That’s exactly what they’ve done under Schaefer’s guidance so far though and Bulldog fans hope that means an NCAA title next. Starting with just 13 wins his first season in Starkville, Schaefer and State improved by winning 22 games the next season, followed by 27, 28, 34 and 37. Last year the team won the SEC regular season title by going 16-0, just the second team in SEC history to run the table. The title was also the first by any women’s program in Mississippi State history. Of course, the celebration over that is still diluted by the stinging loss in the national championship game, the second straight season that Mississippi State had to settle for runner-up.
The best senior class in school history has graduated so Schaefer does have to figure out where his scoring comes from. Well, besides Teaira McCowan that is. Known traditionally for his intense defense, the Bulldogs have been willing and able to simply outscore their opponents the past two seasons and while McCowan is a sure bet to score 20 PPG, who else scores is a question. Look for this team to resemble the teams of old, grinding things down to the low-60s if possible. Schaefer has gotten his team within a step of the mountaintop and wouldn’t it be something if he were able to get them there this season. His team is really good, and so is he.
Key non-conference games
Nov. 9- at Virginia
Dec. 2- at Texas
Dec. 6- v. Marquette
Dec. 18- at Oregon
Outlook
One of the best offensive teams in the country last season, the Bulldogs have a lot to replace. Gone is scoring machine Victoria Vivians who put herself in Mississipi sports lore for all time after choosing to stay home to play for State. Gone too is Morgan William, the 5’5 point guard (who are we kidding? She’s 5’2) who hit “The Shot” to slay UConn. Don’t forget about the sharpshooting duo of Roshunda Johnson and Blair Schaefer; they too have graduated. So why do I think Mississipi State will still be on top? Teaira McCowan is a good place to start.
Simply put, McCowan is a force that nobody can really stop. While she isn’t as dynamic as A’ja Wilson, she doesn’t need to be. She has some of the best hands in the country and once she establishes herself on the block, all you can do is hope she misses. The transfer of Anriel Howard is a huge boost as well, especially with a team needing to find points. State was already one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country last year, but toss in a player who snagged 1,000 boards in just three seasons at A&M and you’ve got yourself a lot of extra possessions. The eligibility of UConn transfer Andra Espinoza-Hunter remains to be decided. If she is allowed to play, that would provide an outside scoring punch this team needs. For me, the ability to hit the 3 will determine how far this team goes. Can teams double down on McCowan without a worry? If so, this prediction will look silly. If not? The Bulldogs are the team to beat.
Best Case Scenario- McCowan establishes herself as the #1 pick in the WNBA draft while earning All-Everything honors, point guard Jazzmun Holmes runs a team full of supreme athletes like a well-oiled machine and Espinoza-Hunter gets to suit up. The team loses two tough ones on the road but lock up the SEC title with a 14-2 record, the last win coming on South Carolina’s home floor. The elusive SEC tournament title finally comes to Starkville and State pushes for their third straight Final Four.
Worst Case Scenario- Defense is good, but you can’t win without scoring. The team can’t hit outside shots, the newcomers never fully settle in and State takes a step back. They finish in a tie for 3rd place and despite a great season from McCowan, they fail to reach the SEC tournament final or the Final Four.