Miss. State WBB

[jdelta02]

Favour Nwaedozi announces remaining at Miss. State for her senior season.

[jdelta02]

Final (SEC Tourney)

Miss. State 68
Florida 86

[Pancho]

purcell Thud

[Skydawg1]

We should have at least 1 natty in WBB. Instead here we are celebrating the ending of the season. So sad how things turned out.

[StarkVegasSteve]

We should have at least 1 natty in WBB. Instead here we are celebrating the ending of the season. So sad how things turned out.

You can blame Schaefer for not having a national championship. He had the game against Notre Dame in the bag but he took out Jazz Holmes so his daughter could have a Kodak moment. Notre Dame comes back, we get on the wrong end of a controversial call, and then we let their best shooter get loose on an a sideline out of bounds for the game winner.

He coached perfectly 99% of the time, but he became dad first and coach second for a split second and it cost him a national championship.

[jdelta02]

Not to be overlooked is France freshman transfer Melissa Guillet coming in and playing well in this last game.
She had 7 points in 10 minutes.of action. She's only been with the team for a partial semester. Missed summer workouts and player development like the other 3 freshmen. Also, missed the whole first semester (non-conference) and part of the second semester SEC games. Appears one of the top 3 most athletic players on the team, potential to be really good on defense as she moves forward with good coaching and player development.

[NCMSTFAN]

People on Twitter are already talking about Madison Francis and where she should transfer to. Im glad we are keeping Favour, but we have to throw everything we have at Madison to keep her if we want to try to build something. And Sam is going to have to go in the portal and get some true talent to put around her. We need a couple more bigs and more scoring too. We just didnt have enough talent this season. Keeping Lampley is important as well.

[jdelta02]

Secure Madison Francis and any of the other players that want to remain a part of the program. Also, stick by recruiting promises and plans for invidual players unless mutual decisions to divert otherwise...talk the talk, walk.the walk. Need to go out and get some much needed help. Need a couple of homerun pickups during the off-season. Need Zac Selmon to stepup big (atleast best he can) for the men's and women's basketball programs. Been hearing on this board that he does already do a lot for the two programs.

[Quaoarsking]

We've fallen to "Next Four Out" in the ESPN Bracketology. Honestly I'm surprised we're that high.

[jdelta02]

Need to bring in atleast 1 guard that can flat fill it up. No way around it. Also, need some more size in the post to help Favour Nwaedozi. She's a power forward playing center and is really good but could definitely use more help down low against this SEC level size, talent, and athleticism. Need rim protection.

Need another explosive guard as well...either by development of the current guards (opportunity) or from bringing in during the off-season.

[Pancho]

Who gonna let Purcell know what he needs to do?

[jdelta02]

Who gonna let Purcell know what he needs to do?

The commentators for these games Miss. State has been getting beat have been saying (telling everyone watchin) some of these same things. When they play the film and sound back from these games he and the staff definitely hear and see these and other accessments. A recent game they (game commentators) were commenting on Miss. State not having the needed scoring from the guards. Most of the offensive pressure is usually on 1 or more of the froncourt players with the exception mostly being the games when Trayanna Crisp is hot from 3 point range. One game they'll be discussing the Miss. State guards inability to defend dribble drive, other games defending 3 pointers, not getting back on fast breaks, defensive rotations, ect...another game they'll be commenting on scoring issues from these guards if not the team as a whole. Often critical of Miss. State's low post rim protection (excluding Madison Francis) as wel.

[Pancho]

I'd call him and have a sit down.

[jdelta02]

I'd call him and have a sit down.



:)

[jdelta02]

Mike Neighbirs was able to have success with a fairly similar offense (though several key differences) utilizing explosive offensive players like Talia Walton, Kelsey Plum, Aari Mcdonald, Izzy Higginbottom, Chelsea Dungee, Alexis Tolefree, Amber Ramirez. ect. Also, the Xavier players, some others. Offense and system functioning at a high level was based in part on having a certain level and type of perimeter firepower. If not...the offensive consistency is thrown off really bad especially in a tough conference like the SEC. Rebounding and frontcourt scoring helped to hold Miss. State up in nonconference but not long after SEC play began inconsistencies on both ends became much more prevalent .

[EdwardDrayton]

Who gonna let Purcell know what he needs to do?

How about reverse the trend of 9, 8, 7 and 5 conference wins.

[Pancho]

sounds like someone needs to sit down and talk with the young man. He needs some direction.

[KOdawg1]

I think Purcell is a high energy guy and a decent HS recruiter.

He's pretty terrible as an in game coach. Can't make adjustments, can't scheme things up, can't coach the little things.

We won't fire him because it's women's basketball and we're treating it like women's basketball, but the glory days are over folks.

[Pancho]

It's a shame to have some talent but have no idea of how to manage it in game or alter scheme to gain an advantage. I know several high school coaches who would not want the pomp and circumstance of having to recruit players at this level but they can coach rings around the poor guy.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I think Purcell is a high energy guy and a decent HS recruiter.

He's pretty terrible as an in game coach. Can't make adjustments, can't scheme things up, can't coach the little things.

We won't fire him because it's women's basketball and we're treating it like women's basketball, but the glory days are over folks.

Yea Sam is still learning how to be an effective floor coach and to be honest, Schaefer wasn't the greatest floor coach either. He just talent whipped 32 of the 38 teams he played. That's kind of how women's basketball is. There's a few really good floor coaches(Coach Yo at OM is a really good floor coach, Kristi Curry at Bama, Molly Miller at AZ State) but a lot of it is just talent whipping whoever you're playing.

[jdelta02]

Gotta have that high scoring guard as a catalyst in this offensive system, no way around it. Also, need atleast 1 additional perimeter player that can stepup as a knockdown shooter to help compliment, other perimeter roles filled as well. Based on research this ( offshoot of "functional fast") ain't no getting by type offense...need to have a minimum of 1 guard that can fill it up (walking bucket) every season. Having a talent like Madison Francis adds a MAJOR dynamic and helps give more wiggle room on both ends but at the end of the day need to bring in and/or develop a "bucket getter" guard or two.

[jdelta02]

When guard Jordan Danberry first came into Miss. State as a transfer it was around mid-season she was eligible. She came off the bench that second semester starting out playing out of control, charging into defenders, shot selection, ect. Remember Coach Schaefer addressing the media regarding her play and indicating that he was going to make a player out of her (Danberry.) Indicated that he was going to draw up specific plays for her to better help put her in position to be successful, get her to her spots, take advantage of her talent and strengths to help the team. He went on to talk about putting his players in position to be successful. By the start of the next season (her second semester being eligible) Danberry was already on a different level, and quickly getting better by the game. The coaching staff helped get her to the point where even they indicated that she could get anywhere she wanted to on the court off the dribble drive ..in control. She wasn't a good shooter from deep but was able to consistently get to her spots, finish at the rim, or get to the freethrow line seemingly at will. Coaching is HUGE including player adjustments and development He and his staff helped develop a player out of point guard Jazz Holmes as well. Was able to develop his own daughter (Blairi Schaefer) into a good player. Another guard named Bre'Amber Scott that they got a lot out of after initial adjustments. Also, another sharpshooter in Roshunda Johnson. These were mostly 3 star players or less. Fans that have been closely following the program since the Coach Schaefer era can atest to this.

[Pancho]

you just described to vast difference between Vic and Sam. Sam gets a player and she is as good then as she will be in a year or 2 under Sam. Vic is a cut above in this area as well as scheme on both sides of the ball.

[Saltydog]

He's not getting what he needs out of the portal either and I don't see a whole lotta player development. Plus, I see far too much attitude from these girls and they will walk off from him while he's talking to them. I've seen that multiple times. He might get one more year and that's it.

[jdelta02]

My opinion Coach Purcell and his staff did a really good job with Madison Francis. From arriving later for summer workouts until the last SEC game (SEC Tourney) she came a long ways...eye test. Also, remember Coach Purcell indicating that they spent extra time after practice working with her. They did a good job with Nwaedozi as well. Not to say these players don't put in a lot of extra work on their own which no doubt is a big part of it but apoears they're getting coached up. Solid player development going. As for some of the other younger players...keep in mind that some players fuse with coaching sytems and develop at faster rates than others, various other reasons, need patience.

[Saltydog]

My opinion Coach Purcell and his staff did a really good job with Madison Francis. From arriving later for summer workouts until the last SEC game (SEC Tourney) she came a long ways...eye test. Also, remember Coach Purcell indicating that they spent extra time after practice working with her. They did a good job with Nwaedozi as well. Not to say these players don't put in a lot of extra work on their own which no doubt is a big part of it but apoears they're getting coached up. Solid player development going. As for some of the other younger players...keep in mind that some players fuse with coaching sytems and develop at faster rates than others, various other reasons, need patience.

Keep justifying this and that all you want but our glory days are over. We're back to being a mediocre to bad program again and we're back to the Fanning Otis days.

[jdelta02]

I do agree that they have not been getting what they need out of the transfer portal. Also..defensive issues.

[jdelta02]

Being reported that the Miss. State women's basketball team is not accepting an alternate post season bid.

[Quaoarsking]

Being reported that the Miss. State women's basketball team is not accepting an alternate post season bid.

Shockingly, I don't think it's a 100% lock that we're not going to be in the NCAA field. Like 90%, but I've seen some mock brackets out there with us as either last team in or first team out. ESPN has us as 8th out.

[schddog72]

You can blame Schaefer for not having a national championship. He had the game against Notre Dame in the bag but he took out Jazz Holmes so his daughter could have a Kodak moment. Notre Dame comes back, we get on the wrong end of a controversial call, and then we let their best shooter get loose on an a sideline out of bounds for the game winner.

He coached perfectly 99% of the time, but he became dad first and coach second for a split second and it cost him a national championship.

Two things cost us the natty vs ND: (1) PG (name escapes me) got mugged on a breakaway one on one; got knocked down with no whistle from the zebras; (2) Big T missed a wide open layup late in the game that would have pretty well sealed the deal.

[jdelta02]

No bid to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tourney as projected. Again, reported earlier that Miss. State is not accepting an alternative post season bid.

Arkansas State has a senior guard named Mia Tarver that if she could obtain grad-transfer status could help a team with defensive issues like Miss. State. Not a big scorer but has been part of a balanced offensive attack in an offense fairly similar to Miss. State's. Also, she played at Utah State. Literally a defensive specialist and the best defender on the #1 team in the nation in forced turnovers, leads them in steals as well. Led them in knocking off Arkansas earlier in the season. She's one of the best on ball, and ball pressure defenders I see in the mid majors or any of these teams for that matter. Another really good defensive guard, on ball defender is Ebele Mbagwu out Miles CC in Calfornia. Others out there as well.

Also, Miss. State needs bucket getting guards to emerge from the current roster and/or brought in during this offseason. Need a couple of guards to step up at the point as well..whether true point or capable combo. Currently have Saniyah King...the other two are out of eligibity. Hold on to as many of these current roster players as you can...no big roster overhaul like last season unless players just want to leave.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Two things cost us the natty vs ND: (1) PG (name escapes me) got mugged on a breakaway one on one; got knocked down with no whistle from the zebras; (2) Big T missed a wide open layup late in the game that would have pretty well sealed the deal.

Schaefer let it get to that point though. He was up 16 with one of the best backcourts in the country unable to cross half court because of Holmes and, I think, Danberry’s D. He then opted to put in his daughter to have a Kodak moment and started letting that group of seniors take 28 ft heat check 3s ten seconds into the shot clock. The hay was already in the barn once McGowan missed the 2 footer wide open and William collided with the girl on the loose ball. And I did not even include his superstar defensive ace daughter losing track of the best shooter on Notre Dame’s team to let her have an uncontested 3 at the buzzer.

Like I said, Schaefer had brilliant moments. But he cost himself two national championships with his coaching. He had the players running the day after UCONN and had an intense practice and then opted for feel good instead of winning at all costs the next year.

[Goldendawg]

Can't give up my Hollywood sources, but we are in danger of losing Sam. They are going to do a remake of "Andy of Mayberry" and he is in the lead to play either Gomer or Goober. More info to follow.*******

[jdelta02]

Schaefer let it get to that point though. He was up 16 with one of the best backcourts in the country unable to cross half court because of Holmes and, I think, Danberry’s D. He then opted to put in his daughter to have a Kodak moment and started letting that group of seniors take 28 ft heat check 3s ten seconds into the shot clock. The hay was already in the barn once McGowan missed the 2 footer wide open and William collided with the girl on the loose ball. And I did not even include his superstar defensive ace daughter losing track of the best shooter on Notre Dame’s team to let her have an uncontested 3 at the buzzer.

Like I said, Schaefer had brilliant moments. But he cost himself two national championships with his coaching. He had the players running the day after UCONN and had an intense practice and then opted for feel good instead of winning at all costs the next year.


Agree, Coach Schaefer took out Holmes and Danberry...cost them the national championship. Self inflicted loss.

[BrunswickDawg]

Keep justifying this and that all you want but our glory days are over. We're back to being a mediocre to bad program again and we're back to the Fanning Otis days.

We would have fallen off with Schaefer regardless. We had maxed out the amount of WBB $ we could commit and he wanted more. And NIL would have put a huge dent in what talent was he was landing and he wouldn't have stood for that, and we'd be in a similar position with a similar coach.

[Pancho]

But we would have had a better prepared type coach?

[BrunswickDawg]

But we would have had a better prepared type coach?

Maybe? Maybe not. Women's basketball does not have a deep talent pool of players or coaches.
Regardless, we'd still have people clinging to the past and comparing them to Vic and refusing to acknowledge that we caught lightening in a bottle in a way that probably can't be replicated at MSU.
The landscape has changed, and unless all those people who PTLGD with Vic and bought $10 tickets threw a whole lot of money into the pot, we'd likely be right where we are.

And for those dunking on Sharron Fanning - considering we didn't give two shits about women's basketball before 2015 she did pretty solid over her career.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Maybe? Maybe not. Women's basketball does not have a deep talent pool of players or coaches.
Regardless, we'd still have people clinging to the past and comparing them to Vic and refusing to acknowledge that we caught lightening in a bottle in a way that probably can't be replicated at MSU.
The landscape has changed, and unless all those people who PTLGD with Vic and bought $10 tickets threw a whole lot of money into the pot, we'd likely be right where we are.

And for those dunking on Sharron Fanning - considering we didn't give two shits about women's basketball before 2015 she did pretty solid over her career.

Sharron did an incredible job considering her operational budget was barely 6 figures and she had to fundraise everything else. Look there's still a lot of animosity between Fanning and Schaefer and honestly, rightfully so. Vic came and, understandably so, wanted to do things his way. His way meant kind of thumbing his nose at everything Sharron had done and throwing those loyal supporters out in the cold. He pissed off a lot of Fanning loyalists from day 1 til his last day. There's some that Sam has won back but some still haven't come back.

As far as was Vic a better prepared coach? Ehh, debatable. I've said this a bunch, but women's basketball has very few elite preparation and floor coaches. Women's basketball is still ruled by who funds it. If you fund it at a high level then your team is going to be good because all the talent is coming to you. Dawn Staley is a below average floor coach. Kim Mulkey has lost her fastball in terms of floor coaching. Vic is above average but nowhere near elite. Geno doesn't have to really floor coach. I think one of the best floor coaches in Kristi Curry at Bama. They give her no money, very little support, and their recruiting classes don't blow anyone away but she's consistently in the NCAAT. Lisa Bluder was good for a lot of years and no one recognized her. She gets Caitlin Clark and all of a sudden she's "one of the best". She didn't miraculously learn how to coach at an elite level in her 39th year. She got a generational talent and miraculously better players and more funding showed up with that generational player.

[schddog72]

Sharron did an incredible job considering her operational budget was barely 6 figures and she had to fundraise everything else. Look there's still a lot of animosity between Fanning and Schaefer and honestly, rightfully so. Vic came and, understandably so, wanted to do things his way. His way meant kind of thumbing his nose at everything Sharron had done and throwing those loyal supporters out in the cold. He pissed off a lot of Fanning loyalists from day 1 til his last day. There's some that Sam has won back but some still haven't come back.

As far as was Vic a better prepared coach? Ehh, debatable. I've said this a bunch, but women's basketball has very few elite preparation and floor coaches. Women's basketball is still ruled by who funds it. If you fund it at a high level then your team is going to be good because all the talent is coming to you. Dawn Staley is a below average floor coach. Kim Mulkey has lost her fastball in terms of floor coaching. Vic is above average but nowhere near elite. Geno doesn't have to really floor coach. I think one of the best floor coaches in Kristi Curry at Bama. They give her no money, very little support, and their recruiting classes don't blow anyone away but she's consistently in the NCAAT. Lisa Bluder was good for a lot of years and no one recognized her. She gets Caitlin Clark and all of a sudden she's "one of the best". She didn't miraculously learn how to coach at an elite level in her 39th year. She got a generational talent and miraculously better players and more funding showed up with that generational player.

I never had a problem with Fanning; I thought she did an admirable job given what she had to work with and limited funding. I also have to agree that Kristi Curry seems to do more with less as well as anybody. And she sure has had some PG cuties to boot!! My own personal jury is still way, way out on Sam. I won't argue with his HS recruiting successes, but yes, he is not landing the portal transfers that are needed to supplement the youngsters. As for floor coaching, I would have thought that he would have learned his craft there from his FIL; honestly though, it doesn't seem to have rubbed off too much.

[jdelta02]

5-8 sophomore guard Johnea Donahue (Mid-American Conference Defensive Player Of The Year) entering the transfer portal out of Bowling Green.
- 2 times (repeat) MAC Defensive Player Of The Year
- 2nd (#2 NCAA D1) in the nation in steals per game...4.2
- 4.0 assists per game
- 11.1 points per game
- 5.8 rebounds per game

[jdelta02]

Class of 2026 4 star guard Arynn Finley recently decommitted from Florida after announcement of head coach leaving. Watched some video and she appears to be a combo guard, talented young guard.

[jdelta02]

Depaul freshman guard Alayna West announced entering transfer portal. She's another one of those top on ball defenders (ncaa d1) from this past season. Also note...2.1 steals per game. Didn't put up big numbers this past season offensively but the defense appeared high level especially for a freshman. Young players like this is where you get your top players in a year or two.

Besides Madison Francis Miss. State's on ball defense as well as overall defense was really bad this past season. Nowhere near SEC level. Dribble drive defense was hard to watch and besides Francis were not good at forcing turnovers. Need to develop or bring in atleast 1 elite on ball defender. I like the defensive potential Melissa Guillet. Saniyah King showed flashes at times but was getting beat off the dribble as well though still looked better defensively than most of the other guards. Those 2 ankle injuries appear to have slowed her progress and she didn't really start to get on track until late season.

(Take note) Coach Yo at Ole Miss is constantly looking for on ball defenders that come in and help sustain that noted tough defensive pressure. Yes, she looks for the high scoring guards but she also does a really good job of supplementing that with strong defensive presence in the backcourt...and if she gets both in a single player that's often all the better as well. Need more offensive firepower especially out of the guards but at the same time gotta consider team weaknesses and needs. Building a team that can compete in the SEC...remember defense travels on the road, shot not falling...defense. Also, Coach Schaefer won at Miss. State with tough defensive, mostly 3 star players and lower. Again, need that offensive firepower but can't neglect getting defensive stops, ect

[jdelta02]

Freshman guard Naomi White announced entering the transfer portal out of Northern Arizona.
(2025-26 season) 20.8 points per game, 1.9.steals...
.leading scorer in the Big Sky Conference, good defensive player as well.

[Pancho]

anybody telling Sam all this pertinent info?

[jdelta02]

anybody telling Sam all this pertinent info?

I will say this that Coach Purcell should definitely give this guard Naomi White a look. Also.she's #1 scoring freshman in the nation (ncaa d1). She can fill it up.

[Pancho]

should or shall?

[jdelta02]

should or shall?

She just announced today and if the staff is heads up they're already checking on it.

[Pancho]

so there is a chance

[jdelta02]

so there is a chance
My opinion they're at the stage of looking at several players right now.. Also, more players continuing to become available in the coming days and weeks. We shall see how this all plays out but yes, i like this freshman guard Naomi White as a good prospect, also all of the players listed in this thread. Other good prospects not listed as well. Also, like potential with current players on the roster. So we shall see.

Landing any player in this thread appears a more than solid move.

[jdelta02]

Listed 6-9 Arek Angu announces entering transfer portal out of Auburn. Still developing player, appears athletic. Watched some of a workout training video of her and was impressed, though for some reason/reasons it's yet to translate consistently over to actual games but you can see the potential.

[jdelta02]

American Athletic Conference Freshman Of The Year...5-10 guard Mecailin Marshall announces entering the transfer portal out of Tulane. Had 34 points in a game this season. Also, saw where she scored 55 points in a high school game before arriving at Tulane.

(2025-26 season at Tulane)
10.5 points per game
3.8 rebounds per game
31 percent 3 point range
84 percent free throw percentage
0.6 steals percent game
1.0 assists per game
1.5 turnovers per game
0.0 blocks per game
24.0 minutes per game

(Interesting Note)
Former Miss. State standout Jerkaila Jordan was named American Athletic Conference Freshman Of The Year for the 2020-21 season before transferring to Miss. State out of Tulane during that offseason.

[jdelta02]

Watched some of the Naomi White videos. Her shot release litteraly reminds of former Miss. State standout Darryl Wilson's (super d). Also in addition to her 3 point shooting including form, footwork, dribble drive, ect..she has that mid-range game down.

[jdelta02]

5-8 sophomore guard Madi Morson announced entering transfer portal out of Central Michigan.
2025-26 MAC Player OfThe Year
2024-25 MAC Freshman Of The Year
(2025-26 stats at Central Michigan
20.1 points per game
39% 3 point range

[jdelta02]

Being reported Miss. State guard Awa Fane...entering transfer portal

[NCMSTFAN]

Being reported Miss. State guard Awa Fane...entering transfer portal

She actually had a few good games for us but playing time will be hard for her to get.

[jdelta02]

Also, several sources have indicated over the last couple of weeks that Faith Wylder is entering the transfer portal as well. Recently confirmed by EJ's Basketball Evals. Appears that she hasn't been with the team since an announcement of her being out around the start of SEC play. Haven't seen her listed on the official roster for a good while now. Always felt that she could have helped Miss State during SEC.

[jdelta02]

5-8 guard Kiyomi McMiller announced entering the transfer out of Penn State. Walking bucket, quick. She's out of Silver Spring, Maryland.

[jdelta02]

2 more really good guards....
5-7 sophomore guard Zamareya Jones (note.."Zam" Jones) announces entering the transfer portal out of NC State.
5-8 junior guard Jada Williams announces entering the transfer portal out of Iowa State.