Just Another Bulldog Minute: What Is The Ceiling For Mississippi State Women's Basketball
The glory days of Vic Schaefer seem like an eternity ago for this Mississippi State Bulldogs program, but head coach Sam Purcell has made drastic steps in just over a year. In his first season, Purcell made history by being the first team to advance from the play-in-game to the round of 32.
Purcell has also taken full advantage of the transfer portal, especially for this year’s squad, as two starters, Lauren Park-Lane and Erynn Barnum, were portal additions. Purcell has brought back electric crowds to Humphrey Coliseum as well; during the Bulldogs’ 69-57 win over Ole Miss, the attendance was 7,101, and a major home-court advantage will aid the Bulldogs in facing their demanding SEC schedule.
Talent-wise, the ceiling for this team is through the roof; the Bulldogs have two potential All-SEC players, Jerkaila Jordan and Jessika Carter. Jordan is currently averaging 17 points, and Carter is the perfect frontcourt mate for Jordan.
During the Bulldogs' run to the national titles, they had many fan favorites: Victoria Vivians, Blair Schaefer, and Morgan William, but the most critical player to that team was Teaira McCowan. Carter can take over a game like McCowan, and while the Bulldog ceiling is high, they will need Carter to continue her dominance to reach it.
Park-Lane and Jordan are among the best back-courts in college basketball, and if Carter can consistently perform as she has, Bulldog fans’ can expect a deep run come March. The Bulldogs play the defending national champions, LSU, on January 29th, which will be an excellent test for MSU.
