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Mississippi State

Sam Purcell's "Talk to me Nice" era is headed into year two

IMG_4594by:Tanner Marlar•10/20/23•

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Purcell
Mississippi State women's basketball coach Sam Purcell. ( © Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK )

Since late last season, Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Sam Purcell has told fans, media and other programs around the country to “talk to me nice,” and with his team being ranked in the preseason top 25, they now have to do just that.

The community

In a press conference at SEC Media Days, Purcell detailed exactly what makes the women’s basketball community in Starkville so special.

“Well first and foremost, we’re breaking records down at Mississippi State,” said Purcell, “and that’s what people don’t understand, and that’s part of ‘talk to me nice.’ We’ve been top 15 in the country in attendance the last seven years, so there’s an energy there. There’s a special love for women’s athletics, and most importantly there’s a special love for all-star players…”

The portal

MSU finished last season with a 22-11 record and a trip to the big dance in March, and they’ve carried that momentum in to 2023. They return 51% of their production, but with several up-and-comers on the roster, it’s estimated to be plug-and-play for Purcell and his staff.

One such player is Seton Hall transfer Lauren Park-Lane, who Purcell sounded off about in the same presser.

“I’m calling it right now, she’s going to be a fan-favorite across the country, because when you look at her stats from her previous school, they speak for themself,” Purcell said. “When you’re talking about second in the country in assists behind Caitlin Clark, she loves to pass the ball, and guess what? I love those kind of point guards because I’ve already got good players.”

Who’s coming back?

Part of that 51% that is returning, though, is just as big of a factor. Jerkaila Jordan and Jessika Carter are the headliners among the group, and Carter in particular is gearing up for a big season.

“I honestly believe I’ve got one of the best post players in the country,” said Purcell, “and here’s the scary part about Jessika Carter. She had career highs last year in numbers across the board. She led our entire team in almost every stat, and here’s the scary part, her best basketball is still to come.”

That’s high praise for a player who has already been selected to multiple All-SEC teams.

Year Two

Purcell jumped straight into a head coaching role after being brought over from his assistant role at Louisville. Ever since then, he’s embraced the head coaching role and dove straight in, and he’s learned a lot in the process.

“It’s like life,” said Purcell. “The answer is simple. It’s people. To have young women like (Jerkaila Jordan) who believed in me, a community that’s supported like no other. Was I perfect in year one? No, but you know what? They stuck with me. We came together, and you can’t put a price tag on that.”

The Humphrey Coliseum has gotten its facelift, and the Mississippi State women’s hoops team sounds like its undergone one of its own. When their first tip goes up on November 6, year two of the Sam Purcell era will be here, and he still wants everyone to talk to him nice.

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