STARKVILLE — “Welcome to my world” is one of the many phrases Vic Schaefer has coined in his time as Mississippi State’s women’s basketball coach.
Schaefer used those words often in the past four years to describe the highs and lows he encountered with a familiar group of players. Whether it was Victoria Vivians, Roshunda Johnson, Morgan William, Blair Schaefer, Dominique Dillingham, Ketara Chapel, Breanna Richardson, or another player, Schaefer could get through any issues
because all of the players have contributed to building a chemistry that has elevated the program and pushed it to back-to-back national championship games.
Andra Espinoza-Hunter and Anriel Howard are the latest players to evoke the familiar “welcome to my world” comment from Schaefer.
On Tuesday, Howard, a graduate transfer from Texas A&M, was discussing the different shades of blue nail polish she has on her right hand. The same colors appeared on Howard’s right hand, although you would be mistaken if you thought the color on her thumbs was yellow and the color was green on her index fingers. The colors on all five of Howard’s nails were shades of blue — Sea Foam blueish green, royal, cloud, sky — in part because she said she couldn’t figure out which one she liked the best.
“I thought it was pretty cool,” Howard said.
Said Espinoza-Hunter, a transfer from Connecticut, “I don’t know about those last two (referring to the shades that looked like they were green and yellow).”
If all coaches dealing with transfers in key positions had to worry about issues like colors of nail polish, they likely would be in trouble. For Schaefer, the impromptu fashion discussion at the end of the team’s news conference signaled a new beginning. While Vivians’ name was mentioned, Schaefer’s Bulldogs have turned the page and will look to Espinoza-Hunter and Howard to lead the way. Judging from Schaefer’s comments about his sophomore guard and the rebounding wizard, the newcomers already have made their impact on the program.
“They’re just a real positive influence on our program,” Schaefer said. “They ain’t had a bad day. That is really special as a coach to have players like that. Not every one of our players is like that, so they are a benefit to those kids, too, to show them, ‘Hey, look, it doesn’t matter if the milk was sour on my Wheaties this morning, I am still going to have a bad day.
“I have had some really good players over the course of my career that I have been able to coach and it didn’t matter if they flunked a test, ate something bad, or whatever. When it came time for practice, no one was going to ruin the joy of basketball in their life. These two kids, I don’t think anyone is going to ruin the joy of life in their life. They are just great, great kids. They just bring something to our program that I really cherish, I really appreciate, work ethic and attitude, and it’s a given with these two.”
Espinoza-Hunter made her debut Friday in a 72-44 victory against Virginia. In 29 minutes, she had 13 points and was 3-for-8 from 3-point range. Schaefer said she gives the Bulldogs another shooter who has a “scorer’s mentality.”
Howard, who left Texas A&M after grabbing a program-best 1,002 rebounds, is averaging 8.5 points and eight rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game.
Schaefer said Espinoza-Hunter and Howard should provide valuable experience following the graduation losses of the program’s winningest group of seniors. A “different” MSU squad will need that experience and will rely on a different kind of leadership. Thanks to Espinoza-Hunter and Howard, that example will be set with a smile and an infectious spirit that rubs off on the rest of the Bulldogs.
Espinoza-Hunter said it is obvious to see the energy Howard brings to the court. She said her new teammate, whose nickname is “lashes,” is just as likely to offer a pat on the back or a joke to lift her spirits.
Schaefer said the spirit Espinoza-Hunter and Howard possess is bringing the Bulldogs together, which is a good sign as he continues to preach about defense and getting it to the standard he desires.
“I think these are two great leaders,” Schaefer said. “I think they lead by example. They have a presence. It is hard to be a great player if you have no presence on the court. To me, they have a presence, not only as basketball players, but as people. Again, it makes it fun to coach, and it is fun to be a coach at Mississippi State when you have players like this when you walk into the gym every day and they’re loving life, and they practice that way and play that way. There is nothing sour about them.”
n In related news, senior center Teaira McCowan was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Week. She recorded double-doubles in No. 6 MSU’s victories against Southeast Missouri at Virginia to open the season.
The honor is the fifth for McCowan, which is the most of any current SEC player.
McCowan averaged 18 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 5.5 blocked shots per game while shooting 57.1 percent (12-for-21) from the field. She also has 41 double-doubles, which is the most among active league players, for her career.
n At 2 p.m. Sunday, MSU will raise its 2018 National Finalist banner prior to its game against Coppin State.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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