Thursday, January 9
Columbia, Mo.
6:00 PM
Mississippi State
at
Missouri
PREVIEW: WBK Hoops at Missouri
January 08, 2020 | Women's Basketball
by Josh Lively, Assistant Director/Communications
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mississippi State is set for its second of back-to-back SEC road games, taking on Missouri at Mizzou Arena on Thursday night at 6 p.m. CT.
The Bulldogs (14-2, 2-0 SEC) began the road swing with a victory at Georgia on Sunday. State defeated UGA, 73-66, behind a strong fourth quarter from graduate guard Jordan Danberry, who scored 11 of her 17 total points in the final period. During the last five contests, she has averaged 15.0 points, 4.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game and is a big reason for MSU's current six-game win streak.
Rickea Jackson has also been playing her best basketball of the season recently. After averaging 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in wins over Florida and at Georgia, she was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. She was the first Bulldog to receive the weekly award since Teaira McCowan earned it in December 2015. Jackson has scored in double figures in five straight games and 11 times on the year.
Similar to State, Missouri (4-11, 1-1 SEC) was tasked with replacing more than half of its starting lineup from a season ago, including the Tigers' leading scorer. However, Mizzou did return preseason All-SEC first team selection Amber Smith, who is pacing the team in scoring (14.1 ppg) and rebounding (6.3 rpg). The freshman duo of Aijha Blackwell (12.1 ppg) and Hayley Frank (12.0 ppg) round out Missouri's double-digit scorers and have helped contribute immediately for the Tigers.
"Missouri is a place where we have always faced some real challenges over the years," said head coach Vic Schaefer. "They are tremendously well coached. They always have a unique defensive game plan for us. It will be well thought out and disciplined. We will have to be well thought out and disciplined on offense to have any kind of positive effect against them. They always do a great job. I'm excited about the challenge and opportunity."
Fans unable to attend can watch on the SEC Network with Tamika Catchings and Eric Frede on the call. The game will also be streamed on MSU Radio Network with Jason Crowder and Charlie Winfield on the call and can be streamed on HailState.com/plus and the Tune In app.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK."
Bulldog Bites
• With the start of SEC play, the Bulldogs have their sights set on a third consecutive SEC title, a feat that no program has accomplished outright since 2001-04.
• Mississippi State owns the nation's longest road winning streak at 13 games. This season, the Bulldogs own wins at Georgia, Marquette, Louisiana and Jackson State.
• After averaging 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in wins over Florida and at Georgia, Rickea Jackson was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. She currently leads all SEC freshmen in scoring and is tied for second in rebounding during conference play.
• Jackson is third on the team in scoring (13.1 ppg) and rebounding (4.3 rpg). She has scored in double figures in five straight games and 11 times on the year. During the last five games, she is pacing the 13th-ranked Bulldogs in scoring at 17.0 points per game.
• Graduate guard Jordan Danberry, who was granted a fifth year of eligibility by the NCAA in August, leads the team in scoring (13.8 ppg) and steals (2.8 spg) while ranking second in assists (3.2 apg). Her 45 steals on the year ranks 15th in the nation. During the last five games, she is posting 15.0 ppg while shooting 65 percent from the field.
• With the departure of SEC Player of the Year Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State had a major void to fill in the post this season. Sophomore forward Jessika Carter has helped answer that need, averaging 13.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. As a sophomore, McCowan averaged 8.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.
• Carter has been one of the nation's top rebounders this season, especially on the offensive end of the floor. She is averaging 5.1 offensive rebounds per game, which ranks second in the Division I. Her 10.3 rebounds per game stands at 22nd in the country.
• The duo of Chloe Bibby and Andra Espinoza-Hunter, known as the Splash Sisters, have combined to hit 55 percent of State's 3-pointers this season. Bibby leads the team with 27 threes, while Espinoza-Hunter ranks second with 17.
• Mississippi State owns the country's 16th-ranked strength of schedule. The Bulldogs are 5-2 against Top-100 teams in the RPI. Three of those wins came away from home.
Bulldogs Own Nation's Longest Road Win Streak
• With the win at Georgia giving MSU 13 straight road wins, Mississippi State extended the nation's longest road win streak and matched the program record for consecutive victories on the road.
• UConn is second with a 12-game winning streak followed by Baylor (10), South Carolina (8) and a two-way tie for fifth with six wins.
So far this season, State owns wins at Jackson State, Marquette and Louisiana.
• Last year, the Bulldogs ended the season by going a perfect 8-0 in SEC Road Games along with securing a victory at Washington in December.
• Since the 2017-18 season, MSU has posted a combined 26-1 record in road games. In that stretch, State boasted a program-record 13-game road win streak before falling at No. 7 Oregon on Dec. 18, 2018.
• As one of the nation's top teams away from home, the Bulldogs have beaten five ranked teams on their home courts since 2017-18, including four top-15 opponents.
State's Offense Among Best in the Country
• Although Vic Schaefer's teams are widely known for their defense, Mississippi State has established itself as one of the best offensive teams in Division I.
• This season, State ranks sixth in the nation in both scoring offense at 84.1 ppg and scoring margin (+26.9).
• With four players shooting over 50 percent from the field, the Bulldogs rank 10th in the country and top the SEC in field-goal percentage with a .475 clip.
• Another key to MSU's offensive success has been its ability to take care of the ball and make the extra passes for better shots. State ranks fifth in the SEC in assists per game (14.8 apg) and assist/turnover ratio (1.11).
• When the Bulldogs aren't knocking down shots, State is crashing the glass to get a second opportunity at a basket. With 240 offensive rebounds on the season, Mississippi State has gotten the rebound on 43 percent of its missed baskets and turned that into 268 second-chance points.
Secretary of Defense
• Vic Schaefer's teams have always had a major emphasis on one area: defense. If you want to play for him, you have to play lockdown, tenacious and suffocating defense for 40 minutes every game. It's this expectation and mentality that has earned Schaefer the nickname "Secretary of Defense."
• So far this season, State's relentless defense has forced opponents into turning the ball over 355 times for an average of 22.3 turnovers per game. That number ranks 14th in the nation and second in the SEC. The Bulldogs have forced at least 20 turnovers in all but two games this year.
• The Bulldogs have been great at rejecting shots with an average of 5.6 blocks per game, which is 16th in the Division I. Jessika Carter has led the charge by posting 2.0 bpg this season to rank 39th in the country and fifth in the SEC.
• State's on-ball pressure has been suffocating all season, especially in the press. MSU ranks fourth in the SEC with 9.8 steals per game. Jordan Danberry is pacing the team in the category with 2.8 spg to rank third in league and 28th in the nation.
• While there is no ranking for the stat, Mississippi State certainly ranks amongst the country's best teams at drawing charges. So far, the Bulldogs have taken 53 charges, led by 27 from Myah Taylor.
Danberry Dominating on Both Ends of the Court
• Jordan Danberry has been one of the best players on both ends of the floor in the SEC and the country this season.
• Danberry has made the most of her final season so far. The do-it-all guard leads the team in scoring (13.8 ppg) and steals (2.8 spg). She is second on the team in assists (3.2 apg).
• Offensively, the Conway, Ark., native is shooting a blazing .544 percent clip from the field on the year and has posted four 20-point performances. She has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games, including a 21-point performance against Florida.
• On the defensive end of the floor, Danberry has recorded multiple steals in 11 games this season and has six contests with four or more steals.
• In her last five games, Danberry has been on fire, averaging 15.0 ppg while shooting 63 percent from the field to go along with 4.2 apg, 2.8 rpg and 2.8 spg.
Jackson Having Stellar Freshman Season
• Mississippi State knew it was going to rely on newcomers early and often this season, and McDonald's All-American Rickea Jackson has been stellar in her first season with the Bulldogs.
• Jackson ranks third on the team in both scoring (13.1 ppg) and rebounding (4.3 rpg). The freshman forward is shooting 48 percent from the field and 42 percent from beyond the arc on the year.
• The Detroit, Mich., native has finished with double-digit scoring in five straight games and 11 times overall this season. During the last five contests, she has been the team's leading scorer at 15.2 ppg.
• After averaging 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in wins over Florida and at Georgia, Jackson was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Jan. 7. She posted a career-high 20 points in MSU's conference opener against the Gators and finished with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks at Georgia.
• Jackson currently leads SEC freshmen in scoring during conference play and is tied for second in rebounding.
• She earned MVP honors in the Duel in the Desert tournament after notching the first double-double of her career with 17 points and 10 rebounds vs. USF and posting a team-high 17 points against Virginia.
• Jackson marked the first true freshman to start the season for Schaefer since 2014-15 with Victoria Vivians, who was second team All-SEC during her first season after averaging 14.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. On the season, Jackson is averaging 13.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mississippi State is set for its second of back-to-back SEC road games, taking on Missouri at Mizzou Arena on Thursday night at 6 p.m. CT.
The Bulldogs (14-2, 2-0 SEC) began the road swing with a victory at Georgia on Sunday. State defeated UGA, 73-66, behind a strong fourth quarter from graduate guard Jordan Danberry, who scored 11 of her 17 total points in the final period. During the last five contests, she has averaged 15.0 points, 4.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game and is a big reason for MSU's current six-game win streak.
Rickea Jackson has also been playing her best basketball of the season recently. After averaging 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in wins over Florida and at Georgia, she was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. She was the first Bulldog to receive the weekly award since Teaira McCowan earned it in December 2015. Jackson has scored in double figures in five straight games and 11 times on the year.
Similar to State, Missouri (4-11, 1-1 SEC) was tasked with replacing more than half of its starting lineup from a season ago, including the Tigers' leading scorer. However, Mizzou did return preseason All-SEC first team selection Amber Smith, who is pacing the team in scoring (14.1 ppg) and rebounding (6.3 rpg). The freshman duo of Aijha Blackwell (12.1 ppg) and Hayley Frank (12.0 ppg) round out Missouri's double-digit scorers and have helped contribute immediately for the Tigers.
"Missouri is a place where we have always faced some real challenges over the years," said head coach Vic Schaefer. "They are tremendously well coached. They always have a unique defensive game plan for us. It will be well thought out and disciplined. We will have to be well thought out and disciplined on offense to have any kind of positive effect against them. They always do a great job. I'm excited about the challenge and opportunity."
Fans unable to attend can watch on the SEC Network with Tamika Catchings and Eric Frede on the call. The game will also be streamed on MSU Radio Network with Jason Crowder and Charlie Winfield on the call and can be streamed on HailState.com/plus and the Tune In app.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK."
Bulldog Bites
• With the start of SEC play, the Bulldogs have their sights set on a third consecutive SEC title, a feat that no program has accomplished outright since 2001-04.
• Mississippi State owns the nation's longest road winning streak at 13 games. This season, the Bulldogs own wins at Georgia, Marquette, Louisiana and Jackson State.
• After averaging 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in wins over Florida and at Georgia, Rickea Jackson was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. She currently leads all SEC freshmen in scoring and is tied for second in rebounding during conference play.
• Jackson is third on the team in scoring (13.1 ppg) and rebounding (4.3 rpg). She has scored in double figures in five straight games and 11 times on the year. During the last five games, she is pacing the 13th-ranked Bulldogs in scoring at 17.0 points per game.
• Graduate guard Jordan Danberry, who was granted a fifth year of eligibility by the NCAA in August, leads the team in scoring (13.8 ppg) and steals (2.8 spg) while ranking second in assists (3.2 apg). Her 45 steals on the year ranks 15th in the nation. During the last five games, she is posting 15.0 ppg while shooting 65 percent from the field.
• With the departure of SEC Player of the Year Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State had a major void to fill in the post this season. Sophomore forward Jessika Carter has helped answer that need, averaging 13.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. As a sophomore, McCowan averaged 8.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.
• Carter has been one of the nation's top rebounders this season, especially on the offensive end of the floor. She is averaging 5.1 offensive rebounds per game, which ranks second in the Division I. Her 10.3 rebounds per game stands at 22nd in the country.
• The duo of Chloe Bibby and Andra Espinoza-Hunter, known as the Splash Sisters, have combined to hit 55 percent of State's 3-pointers this season. Bibby leads the team with 27 threes, while Espinoza-Hunter ranks second with 17.
• Mississippi State owns the country's 16th-ranked strength of schedule. The Bulldogs are 5-2 against Top-100 teams in the RPI. Three of those wins came away from home.
Bulldogs Own Nation's Longest Road Win Streak
• With the win at Georgia giving MSU 13 straight road wins, Mississippi State extended the nation's longest road win streak and matched the program record for consecutive victories on the road.
• UConn is second with a 12-game winning streak followed by Baylor (10), South Carolina (8) and a two-way tie for fifth with six wins.
So far this season, State owns wins at Jackson State, Marquette and Louisiana.
• Last year, the Bulldogs ended the season by going a perfect 8-0 in SEC Road Games along with securing a victory at Washington in December.
• Since the 2017-18 season, MSU has posted a combined 26-1 record in road games. In that stretch, State boasted a program-record 13-game road win streak before falling at No. 7 Oregon on Dec. 18, 2018.
• As one of the nation's top teams away from home, the Bulldogs have beaten five ranked teams on their home courts since 2017-18, including four top-15 opponents.
State's Offense Among Best in the Country
• Although Vic Schaefer's teams are widely known for their defense, Mississippi State has established itself as one of the best offensive teams in Division I.
• This season, State ranks sixth in the nation in both scoring offense at 84.1 ppg and scoring margin (+26.9).
• With four players shooting over 50 percent from the field, the Bulldogs rank 10th in the country and top the SEC in field-goal percentage with a .475 clip.
• Another key to MSU's offensive success has been its ability to take care of the ball and make the extra passes for better shots. State ranks fifth in the SEC in assists per game (14.8 apg) and assist/turnover ratio (1.11).
• When the Bulldogs aren't knocking down shots, State is crashing the glass to get a second opportunity at a basket. With 240 offensive rebounds on the season, Mississippi State has gotten the rebound on 43 percent of its missed baskets and turned that into 268 second-chance points.
Secretary of Defense
• Vic Schaefer's teams have always had a major emphasis on one area: defense. If you want to play for him, you have to play lockdown, tenacious and suffocating defense for 40 minutes every game. It's this expectation and mentality that has earned Schaefer the nickname "Secretary of Defense."
• So far this season, State's relentless defense has forced opponents into turning the ball over 355 times for an average of 22.3 turnovers per game. That number ranks 14th in the nation and second in the SEC. The Bulldogs have forced at least 20 turnovers in all but two games this year.
• The Bulldogs have been great at rejecting shots with an average of 5.6 blocks per game, which is 16th in the Division I. Jessika Carter has led the charge by posting 2.0 bpg this season to rank 39th in the country and fifth in the SEC.
• State's on-ball pressure has been suffocating all season, especially in the press. MSU ranks fourth in the SEC with 9.8 steals per game. Jordan Danberry is pacing the team in the category with 2.8 spg to rank third in league and 28th in the nation.
• While there is no ranking for the stat, Mississippi State certainly ranks amongst the country's best teams at drawing charges. So far, the Bulldogs have taken 53 charges, led by 27 from Myah Taylor.
Danberry Dominating on Both Ends of the Court
• Jordan Danberry has been one of the best players on both ends of the floor in the SEC and the country this season.
• Danberry has made the most of her final season so far. The do-it-all guard leads the team in scoring (13.8 ppg) and steals (2.8 spg). She is second on the team in assists (3.2 apg).
• Offensively, the Conway, Ark., native is shooting a blazing .544 percent clip from the field on the year and has posted four 20-point performances. She has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games, including a 21-point performance against Florida.
• On the defensive end of the floor, Danberry has recorded multiple steals in 11 games this season and has six contests with four or more steals.
• In her last five games, Danberry has been on fire, averaging 15.0 ppg while shooting 63 percent from the field to go along with 4.2 apg, 2.8 rpg and 2.8 spg.
Jackson Having Stellar Freshman Season
• Mississippi State knew it was going to rely on newcomers early and often this season, and McDonald's All-American Rickea Jackson has been stellar in her first season with the Bulldogs.
• Jackson ranks third on the team in both scoring (13.1 ppg) and rebounding (4.3 rpg). The freshman forward is shooting 48 percent from the field and 42 percent from beyond the arc on the year.
• The Detroit, Mich., native has finished with double-digit scoring in five straight games and 11 times overall this season. During the last five contests, she has been the team's leading scorer at 15.2 ppg.
• After averaging 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in wins over Florida and at Georgia, Jackson was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Jan. 7. She posted a career-high 20 points in MSU's conference opener against the Gators and finished with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks at Georgia.
• Jackson currently leads SEC freshmen in scoring during conference play and is tied for second in rebounding.
• She earned MVP honors in the Duel in the Desert tournament after notching the first double-double of her career with 17 points and 10 rebounds vs. USF and posting a team-high 17 points against Virginia.
• Jackson marked the first true freshman to start the season for Schaefer since 2014-15 with Victoria Vivians, who was second team All-SEC during her first season after averaging 14.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. On the season, Jackson is averaging 13.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Players Mentioned
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