STARKVILLE — Mississippi State women’s basketball got a signature win at home last Sunday against No. 7 Kentucky, but has more than just an opponent to plan for this weekend.
As a winter storm unfolds across the country, head coach Sam Purcell and his team will wait for updates for their planned 2 p.m. game at No. 23 Alabama on Sunday.
In anticipation of bad weather, the Bulldogs will travel to Tuscaloosa on Saturday and will stay alert for changes as the weather develops.
The Bulldogs are still waiting to hear about certain changes, whether the game will be played with or without fans, whether it will be postponed or cancelled, but the priority for both coaches is safety and preparation.
“First and foremost, I don’t mind if we cancel this game if needed because number one is safety.
They understand where I stand. I talked to Kristy Curry, she’s been phenomenal and accommodating for us, whatever we need.”
As for the game itself, the Bulldogs (15-5, 2-4 SEC) will take on a ranked opponent for the sixth straight game in No. 23 Bama. The Tide are coming off of two close losses, an upset loss at Auburn last weekend and a midweek clash against No. 17 Tennessee at home.
MSU will have their hands full with guard Jessica Timmons, who averages 15.8 per game, but the well-rounded starting five also features difference makers like Essence Cody and Karly Weathers.
“One of the best post players in the country,” Purcell said of Cody. “This was a freshman going head-to-head two years ago against Jessika Carter, who gave us a lot of problems last year. Not only shooting the ball and spacing you out, but blocking shots. Anytime you’ve got phenomenal guard play and one of the best post players in the country, there’s a reason they’re Top 25 in the country. We’re going to have to find a way to bring it on the road.”
The Bulldogs had two timely days off at the start of the week, allowing time to recuperate and reset before a long stretch of tough conference games until the end of the season.
It was needed break for players carrying bumps and bruises, notably freshman forward Madison Francis, who donned a black face guard for a fractured nose on Sunday and earned the nickname “Batwoman” from her head coach.
While losing four straight in conference play was certainly not the plan, the days of rest were timely on the heels of a big win to break the skid and reflect on the campaign so far.
Purcell said it was time for his team to get one over a tough opponent and take some lessons learned in defeat, and he is hopeful they can continue to do so on the road, where the team has struggled.
After the Bama trip comes a rematch with Tennessee in Knoxville. UT is one of just two teams to beat MSU in Starkville this year, but the Bulldogs will have a shot at the Vols on Thursday following the Tuscaloosa trip.
Last Sunday, it was time to apply what they’ve learned at home. Now it’s time to apply it on the road.
“We’ve been unbelievable at home, and you’re going to hear me say this 100 times… we’ve got to get tough,” Purcell said. “We got the identity that we found here at home, playing with spirit and playing for four quarters, having a chance at home. Right now in SEC play, we haven’t seen that, and it’s a hard league. It’s hard to win on the road, it’s going to be hard this weekend with the circumstances.”
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