STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State women’s basketball team released its 2019-2020 SEC schedule Wednesday afternoon.
“For two months, you have to be locked in and know that, if you’re not ready to play, you will get embarrassed,” MSU coach Vic Schaefer said in a news release. “It’s a very challenging schedule. ”
The Bulldogs draw Ole Miss, Auburn and Georgia twice. Auburn was the best of the bunch last season as the Tigers finished 22-10 — falling to BYU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Georgia concluded last season 18-12, while Ole Miss was 9-22.
A road matchup with South Carolina — who was ranked No. 7 in ESPN’s way-too-early top-25 poll Wednesday — will highlight the conference slate. Schaefer boasts a just a 3-10 record against the Gamecocks in his seven years at the helm.
MSU also travels to 2019 NCAA tournament qualifiers Missouri (Jan. 9), Tennessee (Feb. 6) and No. 13 Kentucky (Feb. 16).
The Bulldogs do get Sweet Sixteen participant and preseason No. 10 Texas A&M at home Feb. 9. MSU will also host No. 19 Arkansas Feb. 27 for senior day.
“I talk about it every year, we have 16 rivalry games, and it’s a grind,” Schaefer said. “January and February are the two hardest months of the year, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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