State set for rematch with Chattanooga on Sunday at the Hump
Through three games in year three of the Sam Purcell era, the Mississippi State Bulldogs have impressed.
State has beaten Memphis, Alcorn State and Alabama State by an average score of 85-43 with some impressive individual performances along the way. Offense and defense alike have had minor issues to fix but have otherwise been dominant.
While it’s so far so good for this new-look State team, adversity is going to come soon. The Bulldogs finish out a five-game homestand to begin the year with the final two games coming on Sunday against Chattanooga and next Wednesday against Mercer.
After these home games, State plays eight-straight away from Humphrey Coliseum with nearly one month of action taking place away from Starkville. Even Sunday’s matchup won’t be a walk in the park for State, but Purcell likes how his team will soon be tested.
“I want regional games. I want to build some energy and also play winning programs. So people like Belmont, Chattanooga – they’re usually going to win their conference. They have a winning culture,” Purcell said. “Even though (Chattanooga) has a new coach, she has a winning track record from their previous school, so we’ve got to be dialed in.”
State looking for redemption after tough loss a season ago
The Bulldogs will not be overlooking the Mocs after what happened just a season ago. Purcell took his team on the road to Chattanooga and left with a painful 59-53 defeat.
State did play without its two starting post players in Jessika Carter and Eryn Barnum, but it was still a loss that stung for Purcell and his team. Debreasha Powe played 31 minutes in that loss and had just six points so this game has some extra meaning for her as well.
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“Based off of last year, we know that they’re aggressive. We know that they’re not going to lay down, they’re going to fight,” Powe said of the Mocs. “We’re excited. We lost to them last year so we’re just excited to play them. It’s going to be a good game of basketball.”
That win a season ago would springboard the Mocs to a 28-5 record and yet another NCAA Tournament berth. It also sent head coach Shawn Poppie to Clemson to lead the Tigers’ program.
New coach Deandra Schirmer comes in after an incredible run at Valdosta State where she went 114-31 in five seasons with her team and led them to an 86-19 record in the Gulf South Conference with four-straight NCAA Tournament berths and three GSC championships.
It’s been a rocky start for the Mocs this season as they’ve lost games to Tennessee Tech and Troy and sit at 2-2, but it doesn’t make the team any less dangerous.
“They’ve got some great kids that know how to play the game the right way, so this will hands down the biggest challenge we’ve had all year,” Purcell said. “I don’t think I have to give many motivational speeches. For us to lose to them last year, I think our antennas are up.”
