Women's basketball "first official day of practice" yesterday

[jdelta02]

First official day of practice for the women's basketball program yesterday. Though overlooked nationally and quite a few unknowns..still much potential with this team. My opinion one of the best kept secrets in women's college basketball is 6-7 center Rocio Jimenez (tallest player in the SEC) and she's finally healthy. In the practice video saw her out defending at the three point line, she was in a squared defensive stance with lots of movement, looked very quick and athletic defensively. Also, 6-6
Faith Wylder... height, length athleticism, quickness, speed...can't be counted out. She appears very competitive and goes really hard.

[schddog72]

First official day of practice for the women's basketball program yesterday. Though overlooked nationally and quite a few unknowns..still much potential with this team. My opinion one of the best kept secrets in women's college basketball is 6-7 center.Rocio Jimenez (tallest player in the SEC) and she's finally healthy In the practice video saw her out defending at the three point line, she was in a squared defensive stance with lots of movement, looked very quick and athletic defensively. Also, 6-6 Faith Wylder... height, length athleticism, quickness, speed...can't be counted. out. She appears very competive and goes really hard.

All good, but losing Okat was an absolute death blow . . . .

[jdelta02]

All good, but losing Okat was an absolute death blow . . . .

Coach Purcell indicated that they are looking to replace the losses of players like Madina Okot and Jerkaila Jordan through a collective team effort, not one single post player, not one single wing or guard but a team, a crew. In the post you have Kharyssa Richardson, Rocio Jimenez, Faith Wylder. Also, the addition of transfer Favour Nwaedozi pending what positions she's utilized at but will definitely see her at center as well...she was really good in Japan playing down in the low post, big boost to the frontcourt.

He didn't rule out any of his players being good enough to replace the ones that he lost but just that they were looking to replace them as a collective.

[schddog72]

Coach Purcell indicated that they are looking to replace the losses of players like Madina Okot and Jerkaila Jordan through a collective team effort, not one single post player, not one single wing or guard but a team, a crew. In the post you have Kharyssa Richardson, Rocio Jimenez, Faith Wylder. Also, the addition of transfer Favour Nwaedozi pending what positions she's utilized at but will definitely see her at center as well...she was really good in Japan playing down in the low post, big boost to the frontcourt.

He didn't rule out any of his players being good enough to replace the ones that he lost but just that they were looking to replace them as a collective.

This sounds like Billy Bean's rationale in "Money Ball"; I hope it turns out to be that successful!!

[Pancho]

Realistically, where should this team finish in conference? 8-12 th place maybe?

[EdwardDrayton]

Coach-speak

[schddog72]

Realistically, where should this team finish in conference? 8-12 th place maybe?

Most likely scenario . . . . . I'll go with 10th.

[Saltydog]

who cares, Purcell can't coach or recruit........

[jdelta02]

More talent on this team than most in the SEC. Based on what I have seen Purcell is a good coach and consistently gets this team to the NCAA Tournament including a win over California in this past seasons NCAA Tournament. Also, they upset Oklahoma this past season and nearly knocked off Texas in Starkville .Beat Ohio State as well. Had lost Jessika Carter from the season before then went out and found Madina Okot out of seemingly nowhere. He' appears good at finding players, good at recruiting high school players. One the nations top high school recruiting classes this past recruiting cycle. Was able to find and bring in
Favour Oyinye Nwaedozi from Nigeria via a University over in Japan. Previously went out and found a young 6-7 Dominican Republic standout Rocio Jimenez who's now finally healthy since arriving at Miss. State .Who knows what Faith Wylder is capable of, she was basically injured for her whole freshman season at Stonybrook . Before that she was noted as the high school sleeper out of the who state of New York. Also, Coach Purcell feels that he has a steal in transfer Kharyssa Richardson, continues to rave about her ability...we shall see

[Pancho]

I do hope he finishes better than 10th in the SEC, if not then this a bunch of fluff over nothing

[Quaoarsking]

I know it's cool to be skeptical of Purcell, but I just don't think you can look at his resume and call him an underachiever or disappointment unless you also say the same thing about Jans (which I would not).

Purcell has only had a losing SEC recors once, has a better career overall and conference winning percentage, and has won 3 NCAA tournament games. Purcell is no Vic, but he's at least elevated us above what he inherited.

[StarkVegasSteve]

who cares, Purcell can't coach or recruit........

I mean the guy has been to the tournament 2 times in his first 3 years and has won 3 tournament games. I wouldn't say he can't coach or recruit. He seems to be doing a pretty damn good job. Purcell's biggest issue has been/is/will be as long as he's at Mississippi State is his name isn't Vic Schaefer. If Vic Schaefer had those numbers, which he was actually worse in his first 3 seasons btw, no one would care. Purcell is a young coach that is still learning. Hell Schaefer learned these lessons in his 50s and Sam is learning it in his early 40s. He's going to be a hell of a coach for us, but he's never going to get the support that Vic got because Vic took advantage that the men's team sucked and then caused a ton of dissension between Howland and literally everyone so he could keep all the basketball fans.

[Percho]

I mean the guy has been to the tournament 2 times in his first 3 years and has won 3 tournament games. I wouldn't say he can't coach or recruit. He seems to be doing a pretty damn good job. Purcell's biggest issue has been/is/will be as long as he's at Mississippi State is his name isn't Vic Schaefer. If Vic Schaefer had those numbers, which he was actually worse in his first 3 seasons btw, no one would care. Purcell is a young coach that is still learning. Hell Schaefer learned these lessons in his 50s and Sam is learning it in his early 40s. He's going to be a hell of a coach for us, but he's never going to get the support that Vic got because Vic took advantage that the men's team sucked and then caused a ton of dissension between Howland and literally everyone so he could keep all the basketball fans.

Very good post.

[captaindog]

My understanding is F Nwaedozi is expected to play the post and the coaches are encouraged by what they have seen so far. I?d be a little surprised if R Jimenez or F Wylder weren?t pushed by freshman N Gray for the backup position. R Jimenez is physical but she still has a ways to go in skill.
If I had to guess the opening day starting lineup now from five to one: F Nwaedozi, M Francis, C Prater, D McPhaul, and S King. K Richardson, J Lampley, and T Crisp as the primary backups.

[99jc]

Anyone who states he can't recruit or coach is either a reb or a 17ing moron!

[BeardoMSU]

I mean the guy has been to the tournament 2 times in his first 3 years and has won 3 tournament games. I wouldn't say he can't coach or recruit. He seems to be doing a pretty damn good job. Purcell's biggest issue has been/is/will be as long as he's at Mississippi State is his name isn't Vic Schaefer. If Vic Schaefer had those numbers, which he was actually worse in his first 3 seasons btw, no one would care. Purcell is a young coach that is still learning. Hell Schaefer learned these lessons in his 50s and Sam is learning it in his early 40s. He's going to be a hell of a coach for us, but he's never going to get the support that Vic got because Vic took advantage that the men's team sucked and then caused a ton of dissension between Howland and literally everyone so he could keep all the basketball fans.

This^

Good post.