STARKVILLE — It wasn’t supposed to end this way.
Just a week ago, a confident Vic Schaefer sat at the podium at Bon Secours Wellness Arena and expressed how proud he was of the growth his youthful Mississippi State team had demonstrated in the SEC Tournament and what that would do for the Bulldogs heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Now nine days on from Schaefer’s exchange in a time frame that has felt more like a decade than just over a week, the MSU women’s basketball season has come to an abrupt halt due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.
And while it remains uncertain what the path going forward for women’s college basketball will be, the outcries for extra years of eligibility have begun. For spring sport athletes, the NCAA has already granted them. Winter athletes are still awaiting a decision that may not come for weeks.
But with that puzzle still being solved, it’s worth taking a look at what the roster could bring a season from now when the Bulldogs are again poised to make a run at an SEC championship:
Sorry it ended this way
When Jordan Danberry earned an extra year of eligibility August 20, Schaefer and his staff rejoiced.
In return, Danberry turned in a performance worthy of second team All-SEC honors in addition to being named to the conference’s All-Defensive team.
But for those hoping for another year from the Conway, Arkansas native, it’s likely she’s played her last game in the maroon and white.
“Forever grateful for the opportunity to have a second senior year, thank you @NCAA #hailstate,” Danberry tweeted Friday morning, after the NCAA announced it would be canceling its postseason tournament.
It remains unclear whether seniors will even get an extra year of eligibility, but it’s fair to assume Danberry will not be back even if she is afforded one.
The core
While Danberry’s loss is undoubtedly a solemn one, there’s plenty to be excited about with the 2020-21 Bulldogs.
Reigning second team All-SEC and All-Freshman team performer Rickea Jackson is back and should improve on her 15.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Jackson’s 41.9 percent clip from 3-point range was also impressive though she took just 31 such shots. With an offseason to improve, expect her 3-point attempts to go up even if her shooting percentage dips a touch.
Fellow stalwarts returning to next year’s squad include sophomores Myah Taylor and Jessika Carter. Carter, who was out of position at the five this season, could see more time at power forward with Sidney Cooks in the fold (more on her later). That said, Carter showed flashes of All-American ability in 2020 as she averaged 13 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, and will also benefit from another offseason with assistant coach Johnnie Harrisand the rest of Schaefer’s staff.
As for Taylor, the do-it-all guard averaged just 5.6 points per game, but her 2.8 assist to turnover ratio ranked eighth in the country this season — making her a prime candidate for a breakout season in 2021. She won’t ever match Jackson or Carter’s scoring numbers, but if Taylor maintains her ability to set up teammates, she’ll go a long way as a point guard and leader come next winter.
Other names worth remembering are freshmen Aliyah Matharu and JaMya Mingo-Young. Matharu came on strong at the tail end of this season — averaging 15.4 points per game in the final five contests of the season. A dynamic player off the bounce and as a shooter, the Washington, D.C. product should see an increased role in 2021 at the No. 2 slot vacated by Danberry. Expect Matharu to be in contention of All-SEC honors next year.
Mingo-Young is another freshman that saw extended playing time in 2020 and should benefit from another year on campus. A rugged defender with an ability to get to the hoop, she’ll be a nice compliment to Taylor at point guard with more offensive upside.
The newcomers
MSU signed just two players in the 2020 class, but both should make impacts next season. Madison Hayes (Owensboro, Tennessee) is a five-star guard in the same mold as Jackson and becomes the second McDonald’s All-American to sign with MSU in program history.
The No. 29 recruit in the class according to espnW, Hayes is slightly shorter than Jackson at 5-foot-10, but her offensive ability is comparable — averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and four steals as a junior.
Deyona’ Gaston — the No. 95 player and No. 21 ranked forward in the 2020 class — comes with less hype, but should see the floor next season as well. After dealing with a string of injuries, Gaston saw her recruiting stock fall some despite averaging 18.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game as a junior out of Pearland, Texas.
Junior forward/center Sidney Cooks also joins the Bulldogs after sitting out the 2020 season due to NCAA transfer rules. A former McDonald’s All-American herself, Cooks scored in double-figures 15 times as a sophomore at Michigan State before leaving the program.
At 6-foot-4, her potential to be an impact player at the No. 5 is there, but her 3-point shooting ability makes her more of a stretch-four or five rather than a back-to-the basket player like Carter.
Others to remember
While her numbers dipped some between her sophomore and junior seasons, forward Chloe Bibby should be back and fully healthy from the knee injury that cut her sophomore season short.
A vaunted outside shooter, she and junior Andra Espinoza-Hunter could provide some much-needed shooting off the bench next season in more diminished roles.
Other players that could make an impact in 2021 are junior center Yemiyah Morris and sophomore forward Xaria Wiggins. Both played limited minutes this season, but showed flashes that they can be every night contributors.
Conclusion
The Bulldogs likely lose Danberry going forward, but the vast majority of this year’s 27-6 squad returns. Hayes and Gaston give the Bulldogs another injection of youth, while Cooks’ addition to the lineup could give Schaefer a team that can beat opponents inside and out.
It’s unclear whether the season will be affected by COVID-19 come next winter, but if things stay according to plan, MSU should be a Final Four contender next March.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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