STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer knew what he had in Teaira McCowan prior to the start of the 2018-19 season.
The Mississippi State women’s basketball coach also had a good idea what he was getting with the addition of graduate transfer Anriel Howard after coaching against her for the last three seasons. In that time, Howard used her boundless energy to become the all-time leading rebounder at Texas A&M.
Through four games, Howard already has made an impact on the Bulldogs. On Tuesday, the Southeastern Conference recognized Howard’s contributions to No. 6 MSU when it named her the league’s player of the week.
“I think you’re talking about a veteran that has been to the wars, been in so many battles and so many games,” Schaefer said. “I still think she is a long way from being comfortable in our system. With her, you get somebody who has a motor who is playing all out all of the time. Any mistakes she makes she makes up for with her energy and her effort.”
Howard averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, three assists, and one-and-a-half steals in victories against Lamar and Coppin State that helped No. 6 MSU improve to 4-0.
The Atlanta, Georgia, native shot 57.7 percent from the field (15-for-26) and 88.9 percent (8-for-9) from the free-throw line. She opened the week with her first double-double as a Bulldog, the 34th of her career, with 24 points and 13 rebounds in a 104-53 victory against Lamar.
“She is a very smart, heady player,” Schaefer said. “I think she is getting more and more comfortable. I think her doing things in our dribble-drive offense more and more each day that a week ago she wasn’t doing or two weeks ago she wasn’t comfortable doing. You’re talking about a really tough competitor.”
More recognition for McCowan
Howard’s award marks the second-straight week MSU has received SEC player of the week. Last week, McCowan earned the first award of the season.
Also Tuesday, McCowan added to her list of accomplishments when she was named to the watch list for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Wade Trophy, which goes to the sport’s top player.
McCowan is averaging 17.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 5.3 blocked shots per game, which leads the nation.
“She is going to have to take her game to another level,” Schaefer said of McCowan at SEC Media Day in October. “You sit there and say, ‘How do you do that?’ She is going to have to do that. She is going to have to do more, and she is going to have to take more responsibility. I think she is ready to do that.”
In addition to leading the country in blocks, McCowan leads the SEC in field goal shooting percentage (65.9 percent). Howard is seventh in the league (56.1).
McCowan, who is from Brenham, Texas, has three double-doubles this season to bring her career total to 42.
The preseason pick for SEC Player of the Year, McCowan was named to the watch lists for the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year and the Wooden Award and the Lisa Leslie Award, which is given to the nation’s top center.
Up next
MSU will play host to Furman (2-2) at 2 p.m. today. Fans who bring a canned food item will get a free general admission ticket. A variety of Thanksgiving casseroles will be given away while supplies last.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, MSU will wrap up a four-game homestand with a game against Jackson State. That game will be the Bulldogs’ annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans who bring a Teddy Bear will get in free.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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