STARKVILLE — The records that have fallen this season don’t faze the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.
A program-record 26-0 start (12-0 in the Southeastern Conference) has generated a buzz on campus. It also has been satisfying to set an all-time Humphrey Coliseum record crowd of 10,794 for a victory against South Carolina.
You can also count snapping losing streaks to South Carolina and Kentucky as well as the seniors setting a new record for wins by their class that grows with each victory.
As great as all of those accomplishments are, the MSU players aren’t reading their press clippings and getting overconfident. That’s because all of the Bulldogs know they need to take one more step this season to realize the ultimate goal of winning a national title.
“Our team has been really good overcoming adversity,” MSU senior guard Blair Schaefer said. “Last year’s team (that won a program-record 34 games and lost to South Carolina in the national title game) was amazing and everybody was like, ‘Oh, your team is going to be so different next year. I don’t know if they’re going to be able to live up to what this team has done.’ We really have overcome a lot of that talk that people have said about us. That is really positive to see.”
In addition of not allowing the headlines to affect its focus, MSU also has worked through losing sophomore Jacaira “Iggy” Allen to a season-ending knee injury in the preseason and forward Ameshya Williams, who played in only one game and ultimately left school.
MSU coach Vic Schaefer said he has been pleased by his team’s focus. He said again Tuesday that MSU — which is one of two remaining (Connecticut) undefeated women’s basketball teams in Division I — continues to do things that aren’t “normal” by extending a winning streak in what he has called the “biggest, baddest league in the nation.” He reiterated that thought Tuesday as he discussed his team’s preparation for its next game against Vanderbilt at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (SEC Network) in Nashville, Tennessee.
A win would clinch at least a share of the regular-season SEC title for MSU with three games to play in the 16-game league schedule. If MSU beats Vanderbilt, it could clinch its first SEC title with a victory against No. 17 Texas A&M at 4 p.m. Sunday (ESPN2) at Humphrey Coliseum.
A win would clinch at least a share of the regular-season SEC title for MSU with three games to play in the 16-game league schedule. If MSU beats Vanderbilt, it could clinch its first SEC title with a victory against No. 17 Texas A&M at 4 p.m. Sunday (ESPN2) at Humphrey Coliseum.
“I am really proud of my team and our girls for where we are and what we have accomplished,” Schaefer said, “but we have so much in front of us. I was proud of our effort Sunday (in a 74-55 victory against Kentucky). We had another great crowd. These kids continue to amaze me.”
Each win solidifies MSU’s standing for a No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. There is no telling how the seeding will work out, but the highest possible seed likely would keep MSU closer to home. ESPN bracketologist has MSU projected to be a No. 1 seed in the Kansas City Regional.
The top four seeds in each of the four regions will play host to first- and second-round games in the NCAA tournament. The lowest No. 1 seed likely will get sent West to play in the Spokane Regional.
Each win solidifies MSU’s standing for a No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. There is no telling how the seeding will work out, but the highest possible seed likely would keep MSU closer to home. ESPN bracketologist has MSU projected to be a No. 1 seed in the Kansas City Regional. The top four seeds in each of the four regions will play host to first- and second-round games in the NCAA tournament. The lowest No. 1 seed likely will get sent West to play in the Spokane Regional.
MSU junior center Teaira McCowan said she has been surprised the most by the Bulldogs’ mind-set and sense of urgency. She said the team doesn’t have a 24-hour rule so it doesn’t dwell on big wins or accomplishments.
“In the moment (we celebrate it), but the next day it is like, ‘Who’s next?” McCowan said. “We live in the moment, but when it is done, it’s done.”
Coach Schaefer, who has said leadership is going to be a key for this team, said this group is so “businesslike” that he sometimes has to go in the locker room after a win and throw water on them to get them excited.
“It really amazes me,” Schaefer said. “Last year’s team was a lot like that, but this year’s team is, too. Heck, I want to see some giddy people. I want to see some excitement, but I think that is what has allowed us to be as good as we are in that we are really grounded.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.