I have suffered some trials and tribulations this week. Earlier today my desktop computer died. I am using my wife's laptop for the initial time right now to get something out tonight.
I have not seen Mississippi State play this season so I'm making my predictions based upon stats as well as comparative scores of opponents like Ga Tech, Alabama, Auburn (2x) & Utah, etc.
I also have a few intangible factors that I feel should play out in Cal's favor. My prediction is that the Bears will prevail over the Bulldogs, 70-66.
wbk_stats_202425.pdf
Sam Purcell is the MSU head coach in his 3rd season. He plays a seven-player rotation for between 22m to 30 minutes per game. This team has three grad transfers and four juniors. Three are transfers and only one is an original Mississippi State recruit.
2024-25 Women's Basketball Roster - Mississippi State
Although MSU is purported to be the toughest team to score against in the paint in the nation, it's primarily a function of their 6-6 junior center, Madina Okot, from Kenya. She averages nearly a double-double with 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. The Bulldogs average 4.5 blocks. The tallest player of the other six is 6-1 junior SG, Debreasha Powe, a 4-star Mississippi prep. Powe is second in shot blocks w/ 23. This young lady is their designated three-point specialist with 67 treys (40.4% accuracy)
The two high scorers for Mississippi State in almost every game are the other two starting guards. The team's top offensive player is 5-10 grad transfer SG, Jerkaila Jordan. She rings up 16.1 points and 5.8 boards per contest. She is tied for 2nd in three-pointers with 37. Jordan leads her team by a large margin with 64 steals or 2 steals per game. The other consistent scorer is 6-0 grad transfer PG, Eniya Russell, with 11.6 points and 4.9 rebounds. She transferred from Kentucky two years ago. Russell is tied with her backcourt mate with 37 made treys. She leads the team in assists w/ 111. The fifth starter is 5-5 junior PG, Denim DeShields, who is second in assists with 104. She contributes 6 points and is 3rd on the team in steals with 38. Her father, Delino DeShields, played 12 seasons of MLB and her sister Diamond is playing in the WNBA with the Chicago Skye.
Two Bulldog bench players have distinct roles. Destiny McPhaul, is 'instant offense", averaging 8.1 ppg. She is a 5-9 RS junior combo guard. Destiny was the #2 rated junior college player in the country. Chandler Prater is a 5-10 SF grad transfer from Oklahoma State. Prater is fourth in rebounds (4.3) and adds 6.5 points to the offense.
In summary, it will be important for the Bears to step up and be competitive on the boards vs the Bulldogs. MSU pulls down 40.7 rebounds per game. Cal will need Michelle Onyiah and Marta Suarez to battle inside!
Suarez seems to really play well against the SEC after her stint at Tennessee. MSU causes its share of turnovers but is not consistent. If I'm Charmin, I try to minimize the over the top passes into Onyiah. Most of them will likely end up as TOs. One intangible benefit for Cal tomorrow afternoon is their familiarty with playing in the Galen Center in Los Angeles. Kayla Williams, a former USC guard, has even a higher comfort level playing on that floor. Finally, Charmin Smith & her players don't have to travel cross country to play this year. Mississippi State does and these factors could make the difference. GO BEARS!
I have not seen Mississippi State play this season so I'm making my predictions based upon stats as well as comparative scores of opponents like Ga Tech, Alabama, Auburn (2x) & Utah, etc.
I also have a few intangible factors that I feel should play out in Cal's favor. My prediction is that the Bears will prevail over the Bulldogs, 70-66.
wbk_stats_202425.pdf
Sam Purcell is the MSU head coach in his 3rd season. He plays a seven-player rotation for between 22m to 30 minutes per game. This team has three grad transfers and four juniors. Three are transfers and only one is an original Mississippi State recruit.
2024-25 Women's Basketball Roster - Mississippi State
Although MSU is purported to be the toughest team to score against in the paint in the nation, it's primarily a function of their 6-6 junior center, Madina Okot, from Kenya. She averages nearly a double-double with 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. The Bulldogs average 4.5 blocks. The tallest player of the other six is 6-1 junior SG, Debreasha Powe, a 4-star Mississippi prep. Powe is second in shot blocks w/ 23. This young lady is their designated three-point specialist with 67 treys (40.4% accuracy)
The two high scorers for Mississippi State in almost every game are the other two starting guards. The team's top offensive player is 5-10 grad transfer SG, Jerkaila Jordan. She rings up 16.1 points and 5.8 boards per contest. She is tied for 2nd in three-pointers with 37. Jordan leads her team by a large margin with 64 steals or 2 steals per game. The other consistent scorer is 6-0 grad transfer PG, Eniya Russell, with 11.6 points and 4.9 rebounds. She transferred from Kentucky two years ago. Russell is tied with her backcourt mate with 37 made treys. She leads the team in assists w/ 111. The fifth starter is 5-5 junior PG, Denim DeShields, who is second in assists with 104. She contributes 6 points and is 3rd on the team in steals with 38. Her father, Delino DeShields, played 12 seasons of MLB and her sister Diamond is playing in the WNBA with the Chicago Skye.
Two Bulldog bench players have distinct roles. Destiny McPhaul, is 'instant offense", averaging 8.1 ppg. She is a 5-9 RS junior combo guard. Destiny was the #2 rated junior college player in the country. Chandler Prater is a 5-10 SF grad transfer from Oklahoma State. Prater is fourth in rebounds (4.3) and adds 6.5 points to the offense.
In summary, it will be important for the Bears to step up and be competitive on the boards vs the Bulldogs. MSU pulls down 40.7 rebounds per game. Cal will need Michelle Onyiah and Marta Suarez to battle inside!
Suarez seems to really play well against the SEC after her stint at Tennessee. MSU causes its share of turnovers but is not consistent. If I'm Charmin, I try to minimize the over the top passes into Onyiah. Most of them will likely end up as TOs. One intangible benefit for Cal tomorrow afternoon is their familiarty with playing in the Galen Center in Los Angeles. Kayla Williams, a former USC guard, has even a higher comfort level playing on that floor. Finally, Charmin Smith & her players don't have to travel cross country to play this year. Mississippi State does and these factors could make the difference. GO BEARS!