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State set for ACC/SEC Challenge as Pitt comes to the Hump

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk22 hours agoRobbieFaulkOn3

This year’s Mississippi State women’s basketball team could be adding a few more gray hairs to coach Sam Purcell’s head.

A coach that usually has an extra dose of positivity hasn’t been shy to talk about his team’s deficiencies. Part of that is because Purcell has a vision of what his team can be due to the talent that’s on the roster. The other part is the fact that the coach sees the gauntlet ahead of the Bulldogs in conference play. If the team doesn’t play to its potential, it could find itself at home for postseason.

“I think over the years you become wiser. There’s nothing guaranteed with today’s portal,” Purcell said. “I’ve got nine months, so I’ve got to step in the microwave and we’ve got to turn this thing up. We’re going to celebrate success, but I’ve got to change it quick. We’ve got to compete. We can’t be comfortable. We’ve got to fight for starting time and fight for roles.

“Our we winning? We are. But I understand what’s coming down the gauntlet and if I don’t address it, it’s going to punch us in the face. I don’t want to have a bad loss.”

To this point, the Bulldogs are off to a strong 7-1 start with the one loss coming on the road to an undefeated Texas Tech team in a 69-62 ball game. While the wins have been coming, there are a lot of areas that Purcell sees as major issues if the Bulldogs can’t get better.

Rebounding is where it begins as State has 42-30 edge on average, but it should be higher in Purcell’s mind. Center Favour Nwaedozi has led the way with her 9.6 rebounds to go with her 11.4 points and freshman Madison Francis has 6.1 rebounds and a team-high 12.0 points per game.

Outside of those two, State has struggled to consistently rebound the basketball how Purcell wants it rebounded. Turnovers have also been an issue again this year for State and that’s something that the coach needs cleaned up.

“There’s a lot of positives. You’ve got to find a way to win. Davidson was a big win. So for us to take care of them at home, that’s a huge win that’ll come back later. MTSU is a huge win. They have a winning history so for us to handle them win was huge. You look at Texas Tech as our one loss, you give credit to them because they won but we could have won. They’re undefeated and playing well. My goals are not to be average, my goals are to be great.

“Our rebounding is God awful. It’s fake numbers. We’re not hitting bodies. There’s turnovers that we can eliminate. Celebrate the past, but we’ve got another level.”

On Thursday night, another challenge is on the way for the Bulldogs as the non-conference portion of the schedule winds down.

State hosts Pittsburgh inside Humphrey Coliseum in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Purcell has challenged his team to be better, but now he’s challenging the state fans to show up for the 6 p.m. showdown on SEC Network.

“As happy as I am for 7-1, there’s another level that we need to reach not only for my team but for my fanbase,” Purcell said. “You’ve got a team that is prideful to wear the uniform. Let’s do our part. Let’s sell out the bottom bowl and I promise you I’m doing my part to make sure we improve some people that my team needs to do as we continue to progress through the season.”

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