#10 Texas versus #6 Mississippi State

Discussion in 'Women’s Basketball' started by BabHorn, Nov 30, 2018.

  1. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

    The #10/10 Texas Longhorns will host the #6/6 Mississippi State Bulldogs on Sunday as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The teams have met four previous times and the series is knotted at 2-2. The Bulldogs won the first game 71-63 back on March 21, 2009. Texas won the next two games 73-55 (Nov. 26, 2009) and 53-47 (Dec. 02, 2015). Mississippi State won the last game on Nov. 20, 2016 by a score of 79-68. Both teams come into this game ranked in the top ten and undefeated with identical 7-0 records.

    This game will be first big test for Mississippi State as none of the seven teams they have defeated have a winning record. It will as well for Texas. Of the seven teams, only two have winning records with the best being Michigan. The Bulldogs have not been in a close game while Texas just came from three tough games in the Gulf Coast Showcase.

    As of 11/29/18, Texas has a Massey rating of 7 while Miss. State has one of 4.
    A comparison of the Massey Ratings for the two teams’ opponents as of 11-29-18:
    Screenshot (42).png

    Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-0):
    The Bulldogs are led by their inside duo of Teaira McCowan (#15, 6-7 Sr. C) at 19.4 ppg and Anriel Howard (#5, 5-11 Grad. F) who is averaging 13.6 ppg. Joining them in scoring in double digits are Chloe Bibby (#55, 6-1 Soph. F; 12.4 ppg), Andra Espinoza-Hunter (#2, 5-11 RS Soph. G; 11.2 ppg) and Jordan Danberry (#24, 5-8 Sr. G; 11.0 ppg). Eight of the 12 active players are hitting at least 50% of their shots. McCowan tops the group with a FG% of 71.3%. Danberry is second at 63.0%. I would put Nyah Tate (#20, 6-0 Soph. G) at second but she has only played in one (Jackson State) and did not play in their last game. She is at 66.7% from the field but has only taken three shots. Miss. State has five players that have taken at least 11 treys. Espinoza-Hunter has taken the most 3s even though she has only played in six games while the others have played in seven games. She is 13 of 35 for 37.1%. The most accurate shooter from BTA has been Danberry who has connected on 58.8% of her treys (20-34). Howard, while taking the fewest 3s of the group, has the third best percentage at 36.4% (4-11). Myah Taylor (#1, 5-7 RS Fr. G) has made 5 of 16 (31.3%) while Xaria Wiggins (#11, 6-1 6-1 Fr. G/F) continues to struggle somewhat, making 5 of 21 (23.8%). McCowan (22-34; 64.7%) and Howard (21-31; 67.7%) are the Bulldogs making the most trips to the FT line. Bre’Amber Scott (#23, 5-11 Soph. G) is the leader in FT% at 84.6% (22-26).

    McCowan (11.7 rpg) and Howard (8.4 rpg) are the top rebounders for Miss. State. Jessika Carter (#4, 6-5 Fr. F/C) is third at 6.0 rpg while Bibby adds 5.9 rpg. Six Bulldogs have reached double digit assists. Jazzmun Holmes (#10, 5-8 Sr. G) is tops with 34 assists. Danberry has dished out 28 while Taylor has 27 assists. McCowan is the national leader in total blocks with 25 while Carter is fourth nationally with 19. Every player except Tate has at least one steal. The top four are Holmes (12), Danberry (10) and Bibby and Wiggins with nine each.

    The starters for Miss. State have been constant since the first game. McCowan, Howard, Bibby, Danberry and Holmes. Five of the others have seen action in all seven games. Zion Campbell (#25, 6-3 RS Jr. C) also helps provide relief in the post. Espinoza-Hunter has played in six games while Tate has seen action in only one game. Promise Taylor (#13, 6-5 Soph. C), transfer from Ole Miss after the coach was fired, is still waiting to see if she will be allowed to play this season by the NCAA. Bibby’s 25.6 mpg is the most a player is averaging for the Bulldogs. All the starters average over 20 mpg. Espinoza-Hunter averages just over 20 mpg while four of the other reserves average between 13 and 18 mpg.

    TEXAS LONGHORNS (7-0)
    After seven games, Jatarie is the leading scorer for Texas at 12.7 ppg. Danni (9.4 ppg) and Sug (9.3 ppg) are close to breaking into double digits. Audrey (8.1 ppg), Destiny (8.1 ppg) and Charli (7.9 ppg) help to provide balanced scoring. Destiny and Charli do it coming of the bench. Jatarie is making 60.3% of her FGs (41-68) while Jada (54.5%; 18-33) and Olamide (56.3%; 9-16) join her in shooting over 50% from the field. Horns have four primary 3pt shooters. Danni (14-38; 36.8%) is on fire after starting out 1-12. Destiny has made 8 of 30 (26.7%) while Sug is connecting on 23.5% (4-17) on treys. Audrey has had three treys go in while attempting 18 (16.7%). Texas is doing a good job in getting to the FT line with five players having reached double digits in FT attempts. Sug with 17 has the most attempts although she has made only nine (52.9%). Danni has the best FT% at 85.7% (6-7). Charli (10-13; 76.9%), Audrey (10-14; 71.4%) and Jatarie (7-10; 70.0%) are the others hitting at least 70% from the FT line.

    Jatarie and Sug are tied for the lead in rebounding at 5.6 rpg. Jada and Charli bring down 4.9 rpg each. Danni, Destiny and Audrey each grab 4.1 rpg. Sug tops the league in number of assists (45) and apg (6.4). Danni is second with 12 assists and Jada is third with ten assists. Texas is not a big shot blocking team. Charli witheight blocks is the only player with more than three, although three players have three blocks each. Each player has at least two steals with Audrey (9), Sug (8) and Jada (8) at the top.

    All nine active players have played in all seven games. Sug, Audrey, Jatarie, Danni and Jada have started the last three games. Danni (29.4 mpg) and Sug (27.9 mpg) have the highest mpg on the team. Six of the nine average 20 plus mpg. The other three average over 11 mpg.

    LINEUPS
    Projected lineups are based on the previous game’s starting lineups.
    Screenshot (43).png

    All American McCowan and rebounding whiz Howard will test the Texas posts. Carter gives them a solid relief post player at 6-5 while Campbell adds another big to the mix. . Texas will counter with Jatarie, Jada, 6-5 frosh Charli and Olamide. Texas’ ability to keep McCowan in check and keep Jatarie and Charli out of foul trouble could decide the game. While trying to slow down McCowan, they can’t afford to forget about Howard. Jatarie has plenty of experience going against taller posts in the Big 12. She has shown an ability to score on taller posts, one reason why the Horns can ill afford to have her sitting on the bench with foul trouble.

    Danni is the most experienced backcourt starter on either team’s backcourt. She started the last two seasons at Tx A&M. For Miss. State, the problem will be stopping Sug’s ability to score and to get the ball to open teammates. For Texas, it will be two-fold: keep Miss. State from getting open looks from BTA and keep McCowan from establishing position inside.

    STATS COMPARISON
    Screenshot (44).png
    Screenshot (45).png
    Screenshot (46).png
    Screenshot (47).png

    The Bulldogs like to run even more than Texas does. It helps when you two of the top rebounders in your conference getting you the ball. Having the top shot blocker in the nation anchoring the middle allows Miss. State backcourt players to over play on defense, knowing that they have McCowan to help erase most errors. Texas will have to rely on their middle game much more than normal, getting a shot off before running into McCowan’s reach.

    For Miss. State, this will be the first time this season they will face a team as quick, fast and physical as Texas. No question that McCowan and Howard are used to that. The question is whether the Bulldogs’ backcourt is ready to deal with that. Texas has dealt with that recently in the Gulf Coast Showcase.

    Massey’s gives MSU the edge by eight points while giving Texas about a one in 4 chance of winning. I think the Horns’ experience in tight games this season and playing at home plus this being the Bulldogs’ first major challenge will result in the Horns pulling off the upset.

    This is going to be one the season’s early showcase games, with two top ten teams playing in Austin. Game time is 1 PM CST. The game will be seen on FS1 with the radio broadcast on 105.3 FM.
     
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  2. DFW_Horn

    DFW_Horn 2,500+ Posts

    Have to think there will be more than a few high priority 2020-2022 recruiting targets on campus the next few weeks.
     
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  3. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

    Agree. I'm going to be on the look-out for familiar faces.
     
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  4. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

  5. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

    My ultimate weekend = Horns FB defeating OU and Horns WBB defeating MSU. :hookem::mj:
     
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  6. GameOfHorns

    GameOfHorns 250+ Posts

    Did y’all notice this t-shirt promoting the game? I have so much respect for Hail State that this comparison to the Ags (despite the obvious connections: Vic a former assistant, Anriel Howard a former player, Danni now on our team, etc) was initially very distasteful to me. The twitter response from MSU was less than approving, to say the least. Just curious what others thought.

     
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  7. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

    When I saw the Tweet with the shirt, I thought it was out of character for our media department. I don't care for it.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  8. kurupt

    kurupt 1,000+ Posts

    Its not serious, IMO
     
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  9. GameOfHorns

    GameOfHorns 250+ Posts

    It was interesting, too, that on twitter, the reception was less than positive compared to facebook responses — different audiences I suppose.
     
  10. GameOfHorns

    GameOfHorns 250+ Posts

    I see that more now than I did initially. I do wish we were at full strength for this game, especially when throwing down such a gauntlet.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  11. Ellis21d

    Ellis21d JediHorn

    I do not like this approach at humor. I agree this is out of character for Texas!
     
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  12. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

    I agree that the attempt for humor does not really hit the spot. Even though I really don't like maroon.
     
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    • Agree Agree x 1
  13. JoeDallas

    JoeDallas 1,000+ Posts

    I think it is rude. Embarrassing that this display of poor sportsmanship is being officially handed out to game attendees.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
  14. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Texas battles Mississippi State in matchup of AP Top 10 teams | Hookem.com
    So Horns have to try to keep her from her spot under the basket. Going to be a tough task for the Texas posts.
    Texas faces first tall task of the season with No. 6 Mississippi State in town | Hookem.com
    I would put in Olamide in that group of Texas posts that will match up with McCowan although it will fall primarily on Jatarie as long as she can stay out of foul trouble.
     
  15. STHAustin

    STHAustin 250+ Posts

    Tacky and embarrassing.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  16. seanzozo

    seanzozo 25+ Posts

    I think people are getting overly worked up about the shirt. Vic is an A&M alum and coached there for almost a decade. I see it as a very mild ribbing at Vic's past and present.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  17. GameOfHorns

    GameOfHorns 250+ Posts

    I’m easing up a bit from my first response. Had a State fan respond to my comments on twitter that he found a lot of humor in it, of course, he was only one out of about 25.
     
  18. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

    • Like Like x 2
  19. STHAustin

    STHAustin 250+ Posts

    I think it is funny, and if it were written on this message board I would have laughed. I just don't think that it should be on a university-sponsored t-shirt and tweet. If people are getting worked up over it, there's something wrong with the message. The majority of people who see the tweet won't know anything about the Mississippi State coach's background with A&M--too much of an inside joke that can be interpreted as taunting. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it, but I do think it was a bad choice.
     
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  20. DINO22

    DINO22 1,000+ Posts

    We can beat Miss St. if we play our game.
    Just play hard, and you will win.
    Hookem'
     
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    • Agree Agree x 1
  21. kurupt

    kurupt 1,000+ Posts

    I think the keys for the game will be rebounding, and whether or not the Texas perimeter players can generate enough offense against the Miss. St ball pressure defense.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  22. DINO22

    DINO22 1,000+ Posts

    I agree totally Kurupt.
     
  23. Dr. D

    Dr. D 250+ Posts

    I second the thought. Against Mississippi State the best we can probably do in the paint is to equalize or hold our losses to an acceptable level. We have to make up the difference on the perimeter. To win in the big time, your guards must have the capability of scoring big when necessary.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
  24. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

  25. texexted

    texexted 500+ Posts

    Agree. It’s funny - and it’s factual. Maroon is ugly no matter which Aggie is wearing it. Sometimes fans of women’s basketball can be too sensitive. This is similar to the media-created ‘Horns down “controversy” leading up to the OU game. Who cares? This is what makes colllege sports (and rivalries) special.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  26. CreakyHorn

    CreakyHorn 500+ Posts

    Agree. It is funny. And it would probably draw laughs, perhaps even from State fans, if it was on a sign displayed by a fan at the game, or even in a post here. But when it comes as an official release from the University itself, it takes on added weight. I have to agree that it is not our best look.
     
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  27. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

    I agree that the Horns down matter was silly. However, I thought Bowslby and the B12 officicials created the controversy when they called a personal foul on WVU for doing the Horns down and Bowslby had Hager apologize for saying "OU Sucks".
     
  28. kurupt

    kurupt 1,000+ Posts

    Could we please get some back door cuts! They’re over playing on the perimeter.!
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  29. kurupt

    kurupt 1,000+ Posts

    You’re not going to to beat a team like them with the same mediocre offense that Coach Aston continues to put out there. No screening or movement off the ball. No screens or plays set to get Danni or Destiny to get open looks. Horrible Coaching.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  30. justabbfan

    justabbfan 250+ Posts

    The female announcer is about the worst I’ve ever heard. She talks more about herself than the play in front of her. Both announcers like the officiating as long as it’s in MS State’s favor.
     

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