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.