ESPN's Women's Basketball...Way-Too-Early Top 25 (2020-21 season)

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Miss. State ranked #3 for next season according ESPN. They have South Carolina at #1, Stanford #2, and Miss. State at #3

Rickea Jackson can play heads up against any team in the nation. Same with fellow freshmen Aliyah Matharu and JaMya Mingo-Young. All 3 have shown flashes of this during this past season. Coach Schaefer looked to a 4th freshman, Jayla Hemingway at crucial times last season as well. Need players like Myah Taylor and Jessika Carter to stepup, and be more consistent against the better teams, and the better players. (Note) Both have shown tendency to fade in games against the tougher opposition..not always but a tendency. Miss. State adds very talented Michigan State transfer, former McDonald's All-American Sidney Cooks. A 3rd McDonald's All-American.....in coming freshman Madison Hayes. Also, keep an eye on 6-6 center Yemiyah Morris, a big improvement this off season, and she may log heavy minutes at center. Chloe Bibby, Xaria Wiggins, and A. Espinoza-Hunter expected back. Another incoming freshman...DeYona Gaston expected to arrive as well..

Coach Schaefer is possibly fielding his most talented team since arriving at Miss. State (on paper). Additionally, the coaching staff may add at least one additional player for next season. Wouldn't count out them adding a sit out transfer (similar to the Cooks situation) as well.

Need strong off-seasons, big improvements out of everyone, but definitely....national championship run capability, potential.


(Note) Miss. State picked ahead of Baylor, UConn, and Oregon....getting much respect in the early rankings.

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