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Postseason run begins for under the radar Bulldogs in LA

3rupauk8_400x400by:Robbie Faulk•about 16 hours•

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Jerkaila Jordan (Photo by Mississippi State Athletics)

Sam Purcell and his Mississippi State Bulldogs are dancing again but the Bulldogs aren’t just satisfied with making it back into the NCAA Tournament.

After the coach was able to get State into the Last Four In as a Rookie head man, he led MSU to the second round and had them in the game against host Notre Dame in the final minute. The Bulldogs couldn’t duplicate that in year two as a disappointing end to the year led to a Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament invite and a Quarterfinal finish.

In year three, State’s 21-11 record was good enough to secure the Bulldogs the No. 9 seed. The big city spotlight of Los Angeles is the scene as State takes on No. 8 seeded California with No. 1 seed and host USC in the bracket as well.

“The stories have already been written that it’s going to be Cal and USC with Lindsey (Gottlieb) at USC who used to coach at Cal,” Purcell said. “I love it. Nobody’s picking the dogs. We’re going to show up to California, nobody thinks we can win and like any good movie, let’s rewrite the script.”

State has enjoyed postseason success under Purcell

The Bulldogs are 4-2 in postseason games under Purcell and have played some of their best basketball when their season is on the line. This year’s team will have to hit another level with the challenges in front of them, however.

Cal is a major challenge in itself. The Bears (25-8) already have big wins this year, some of which have come inside the SEC. They defeated Alabama and NC State and were 16-1 inside their home arena.

It’s a team that averages 73.7 points per game and surrendered 64.6. They’ve shot the three-pointer well at 35% and make 8.9 per contest and they also limit teams to just 5.2 makes. Greek grad student Ionna Krimili and sophomore G Lulu Twidale make the bulk of those threes with both climbing towards 100 threes each. They also have two post players in Marta Suarez and Ugonne Onyiah providing double figures and over seven rebounds between them.

“Cal is unbelievable in multiple ways,” Purcell said. “I have a ton of respect for (Charmin Smith). They have an administration that’s already given her an extension, so they’ve got a great storyline. The other storyline is they’re in California and their stats are skewed because they have hard travel.”

The Bulldogs have been no slouch in one of the nation’s best conferences. State is averaging 76 points offensively and giving up 64. The Bulldogs shoot 33% and hold teams 31%.

Jerkaila Jordan spearheads State’s team with her 16.1 points and 5.8 rebounds and MSU gets 11.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Madina Okot has been the breakout player for the Bulldogs as the 6’6 Kenyan has debuted with 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds on the year.

In her second tournament in her long career, Jordan has a chance to go out strong as a Bulldog. Purcell thinks it’s a perfect time for her to shine.

“They’re not going to be talking about her. They’re going to be talking about (USC star) JuJu (Watkins),” Purcell said. “Jerk’s going to be under the radar and she knows what’s up. She could have left and transferred anywhere else but she stayed here to get this program back.”

State and Cal will meet on Saturday night at 4:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

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