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2019-20 SEC women’s basketball preview: Title should come down to South Carolina and Texas A&M

By Bria Felicien

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 03: South Carolina Gamecocks guard Tyasha Harris (52) dribbles the ball past Georgia Bulldogs forward Caliya Robinson (4) during the first period between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Women's Tournament on March 3, 2018, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Steve Roberts/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 03: South Carolina Gamecocks guard Tyasha Harris (52) dribbles the ball past Georgia Bulldogs forward Caliya Robinson (4) during the first period between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Women's Tournament on March 3, 2018, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Steve Roberts/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 31: Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Jordan Danberry (24) dribbles the ball down court during the NCAA Division I Women’s Championship Elite Eight round basketball game between the Oregon Ducks and Mississippi State Bulldogs on March 31, 2019 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 31: Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Jordan Danberry (24) dribbles the ball down court during the NCAA Division I Women’s Championship Elite Eight round basketball game between the Oregon Ducks and Mississippi State Bulldogs on March 31, 2019 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

What will post-McCowan Bulldogs look like?

The best news Mississippi State got in the offseason was Jordan Danberry being granted a fifth year of eligibility. Danberry’s the one returning starter as they rework their offense (Chloe Bibby was a starter before missing half the season with injury), which left with the end of eligibility for Teaira McCowan, 2019 SEC Player of the Year, Anriel Howard, All-SEC first team and senior point guard Jazzmun Holmes.

While there are four freshmen, the most in a couple years, State hasn’t had to “rebuild” much or do any overhauls as players graduate. Just when you wondering how they were going to deal with the loss of Victoria Vivians, last season Howard joined the team as a graduate transfer, averaging 16.4 points per game in her lone season in Starkville. But now the question for State is what’s next. And who is next.

Key Non-Conference Matchups:

Dec. 8 vs. West Virginia

Nov. 25 at Marquette

Dec. 19 vs. USF

Key Returners

Jordan Danberry – 13.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG

*Chloe Bibby –  11.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG – Bibby played 18 of the team’s 36 games

Losses

Teaira McCowan (2019 SEC Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year) – 18.4 PPG, 13.5 RPG,

Anriel Howard (All SEC First Team) – 16.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG

Jazzmun Holmes (2019 All-Defensive Team) – 8.0 PPG, led the team in steals and assists

Newcomers

Jayla Hemingway, 5’11 G

Aliyah Matharu, 5’7 G

Rickea Jackson, 6’2 F

JaMya Mingo-Young, 5’8 G

What it’ll take:

In terms of who could be “next” for State: A full, healthy season from Bibby will be key. Expect a heavier load for Andra Espinoza-Hunter. Is Myah Taylor best suited for the point guard role or is one of the freshman, Aliyah Matharu or JaMya Mingo-Young? We’ll have to see. Despite the questions, there isn’t expected to be a huge dropoff in the Bulldogs’ eliteness (though it doesn’t seem like an Elite 8, Final Four year for the team). But that’s why they were picked to finish third.

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