Coaches can find unique ways to talk about their teams’ mistakes.
So when Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer says his squad “needs to clean up some things” after beating Georgia Tech in a closed scrimmage on Saturday, it’s difficult to gauge Schafer’s take on the event.
After all, Schaefer had to keep in mind that sophomore point guard Morgan William returned following an eight-day absence in which she had surgery on a broken nose. As a result, freshman Jazzmun Holmes, who missed 11 days earlier in the preseason, had to play a bigger role at point guard. That can be a daunting task against a team like Georgia Tech, which is out of the Atlantic Coast Conference that likes to use pressure defense.
Schaefer also sounded cautiously optimistic about the performance of freshman center Teaira McCowan and junior center Chinwe Okorie, even though both players got into foul trouble.
MSU took Monday to break down the videotape of the scrimmage and to work out the kinks one last time before it will face Mississippi College at 7 tonight in an exhibition game at Humphrey Coliseum. The game will be streamed online and via the WatchESPN app on SEC Network +. Admission to the game is free.
“I think any time you tip it up and play against somebody else and get referees that is a good thing,” Schaefer said. “We will do it again (tonight) and evaluate again. I don’t think the girls were pleased with how everything went, but it is good to get out and compete and keep score.
“At the end of the day, we realize we could have played a lot better. The film doesn’t lie. They realize again we have a lot of work to do and a long way to go, which is why we were back in the gym (Monday).”
With three starters back from a team that went 27-7 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, MSU handled a Georgia Tech team that went 19-15 and lost to Ole Miss in the second round of the National Women’s Invitation Tournament.
Schaefer said he was pleased with how hard the Bulldogs worked and how they forced four or five turnovers when the Yellow Jackets couldn’t get the ball across the time line.
Schaefer admitted he played William “more than I wanted her to play,” but he said Holmes, a freshman from Harrison Central, tired and battled turnovers, so he had to turn to William.
At other positions, Schaefer has the luxury of having plenty of depth. He said he used junior forward Breanna Richardson “a little” at the three position, or small forward, and mixed and matched players at the four, or power forward. With Ketara Chapel, LaKaris Salter, and Jazmine Spears also in the mix at the four, Schaefer said it is a challenge to see all 14 eligible players. Junior Roshunda Johnson isn’t eligible due to NCAA transfer rules.
“Breanna had decent numbers. She was 4 of 7 from the field with a few rebounds,” Schaefer said. “Ketara played well again. LaKaris came in and really did a nice job for us. She gave us a big spark, played hard, made good passes and finished on the block. I am really proud of her and her effort. She ran the floor well. She is running the floor better than ever seen her run.”
Schaefer added that Spears “played a little bit and did OK.”
Tonight, Schaefer said he likely will go with the standard four and McCowan or Okorie at center. The four likely will be William, Victoria Vivians, Dominique Dillingham, and Richardson. He said it will be important to educate the centers on the right way to utilize their 6-foot-7 and 6-5 frames.
“Teaira had six rebounds and double-figure points against Georgia Tech and played really well. And Chinwe played well. … They’re tall and big and they need to stop fouling because being big and tall is enough. It is just them learning what is necessary and what is good enough.”
n In related news, MSU has changed the date for the first luncheon of the season to 11:30 Wednesday in Mize Pavilion.
The luncheon was moved out of respect to the memorial service honoring Keith Joseph Jr. and his father, Keith Joseph Sr., that will be at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in Humphrey Coliseum.
The cost for each luncheon is $12, but fans can sign up for the $70 luncheon bundle that includes all seven luncheons plus automatic entry into the drawing for door prizes.
Fans can register for the Hail State Hoops Luncheon Series at 662-325-0198 or via email at [email protected].
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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