SEC 21-22

[militarydog]

I don't think TAMU is much of a quality win to be honest.

I understand what you are saying. Their net rating is 43 coming into this game but it is more the context. I’m trying to be realistic regarding the circumstances and situation for Mississippi State this season and is disappointing considering where we were recently. As I stated in an earlier post as a fan I’m going to enjoy every small accomplishment of this team. Our starting lineup from 5-1 positions is 6-0, 5-11, 5-9, 5-7, and 5-7 from high school, Bowling Green transfer that didn’t play much last season, Tulane transfer, MTSU, and our returning starter respectively. For this team an SEC win is a good win.

 

[Jmsdawg]

I don't think TAMU is much of a quality win to be honest.

TA&M is good but they certainly are not playing up to their talent level, MSST does not have near the talent level to be competitive in the SEC but we appear to have team chemistry and IMO this team has the ability to be competitive in the SEC. yesterday the Hump crowd was solidly behind this team so I have hope good times will return to the Hump soon. BTW, Doug Novak may make us finally forget Vic!

 

[visitingcock]

Monday Standings:

SEC

	CONF	OVERALL	HOME	ROAD	NEUTRAL	PF	PA	STRK
South Carolina	8-1	20-1	11-0	5-1	4-0	1495	1082	W8
Tennessee	7-1	18-2	10-1	6-1	2-0	1420	1106	L-1
LSU	6-3	18-4	11-2	3-2	4-0	1682	1325	W1
Ole Miss	5-3	17-4	8-3	6-1	3-0	1446	1145	L-2
Georgia	5-3	16-4	8-3	6-1	2-0	1436	1148	W1
Florida	5-3	15-6	8-3	4-2	3-1	1448	1356	L-1
Arkansas	4-3	14-6	11-3	2-3	1-0	1535	1243	W3
Missouri	5-4	16-6	10-1	5-5	1-0	1613	1431	W1
Mississippi State	4-4	13-7	10-2	2-4	1-1	1450	1290	W2
Vanderbilt	3-5	12-10	10-3	1-5	1-2	1387	1327	W2
Kentucky	2-6	9-9	8-3	1-6	0-0	1290	1186	L-2
Alabama	2-7	11-9	9-5	2-3	0-1	1435	1257	L-1
Texas A&M	1-7	11-9	8-3	0-6	3-0	1419	1300	L-3
Auburn	1-8	9-11	7-4	2-7	0-0	1291	1252	L-1

 

[Jmsdawg]

Monday Standings:

SEC

	CONF	OVERALL	HOME	ROAD	NEUTRAL	PF	PA	STRK
South Carolina	8-1	20-1	11-0	5-1	4-0	1495	1082	W8
Tennessee	7-1	18-2	10-1	6-1	2-0	1420	1106	L-1
LSU	6-3	18-4	11-2	3-2	4-0	1682	1325	W1
Ole Miss	5-3	17-4	8-3	6-1	3-0	1446	1145	L-2
Georgia	5-3	16-4	8-3	6-1	2-0	1436	1148	W1
Florida	5-3	15-6	8-3	4-2	3-1	1448	1356	L-1
Arkansas	4-3	14-6	11-3	2-3	1-0	1535	1243	W3
Missouri	5-4	16-6	10-1	5-5	1-0	1613	1431	W1
Mississippi State	4-4	13-7	10-2	2-4	1-1	1450	1290	W2
Vanderbilt	3-5	12-10	10-3	1-5	1-2	1387	1327	W2
Kentucky	2-6	9-9	8-3	1-6	0-0	1290	1186	L-2
Alabama	2-7	11-9	9-5	2-3	0-1	1435	1257	L-1
Texas A&M	1-7	11-9	8-3	0-6	3-0	1419	1300	L-3
Auburn	1-8	9-11	7-4	2-7	0-0	1291	1252	L-1

Shocking to me that Kentucky and TA&M are in the bottom 4, SEC record wise. Both of those teams have the talent to be in the top 4. Sometimes talent is just not enough, you need talent that works together to achieve team greatness.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I guess the metrics might disagree and maybe it's across the board through the country that there is more mediocrity/parity, but for me the SEC is probably worse than it was a year ago.

 

[militarydog]

And the hits just keep on coming for Mississippi State. Prayers for a speedy and full recovery to starting “center” D Carter.

 

[garddog]

And the hits just keep on coming for Mississippi State. Prayers for a speedy and full recovery to starting “center” D Carter.

Guess it's time to give Charlotte the starts and see if she can improve. She played pretty well after the injury yesterday.

 

[militarydog]

Guess it's time to give Charlotte the starts and see if she can improve. She played pretty well after the injury yesterday.

R Farley has been out with either an injury or illness. Coach Novak discussed postgame that he asked her if she was ready to “give it a go” and she said yes. She was able to play some limited minutes. Once she is completely recovered I think she will push C Kohl to start or at least for a good share of minutes. However I agree C Kohl played much better last game.

 

[MSUFan2003]

Shocking to me that Kentucky and TA&M are in the bottom 4, SEC record wise. Both of those teams have the talent to be in the top 4. Sometimes talent is just not enough, you need talent that works together to achieve team greatness.

TAMU is surprising. I wondered how Kentucky would do without Matthew Mitchell.

 

[garddog]

R Farley has been out with either an injury or illness. Coach Novak discussed postgame that he asked her if she was ready to “give it a go” and she said yes. She was able to play some limited minutes. Once she is completely recovered I think she will push C Kohl to start or at least for a good share of minutes. However I agree C Kohl played much better last game.

At this point Farley is nothing but a backup. She is gone at the end of the year. I would let Kohl have 25 to 30 mins and see if she swims or sinks.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

And the hits just keep on coming for Mississippi State. Prayers for a speedy and full recovery to starting “center” D Carter.

I don’t know if cursing is allowed here but I’ve done it mentally a few times since reading this. What a season. Hope they keep fighting.

 

[cancontent]

I don’t know if cursing is allowed here but I’ve done it mentally a few times since reading this. What a season. Hope they keep fighting.

Agreed. The sense I've gotten is that they'll find a way to persevere. Rooting for them.

 

[Jmsdawg]

And the hits just keep on coming for Mississippi State. Prayers for a speedy and full recovery to starting “center” D Carter.

Denae certainly will be missed and hopefully she comes back stronger that ever. This team is one I am very proud to support. I loved it when these women refused to quit, to keep giving max effort, and to come together when things got tough. MSST has had some great teams in the recent past but this team is special to me because they show what heart and team work can accomplish. I LOVE THIS TEAM!

 

[Jmsdawg]

MSST has won last 3 SEC games now 5 wins, 4 losses. Next game, Florida who just beat Tenn. the way these ladies are playing I think the Florida game will be one to watch!

 

[militarydog]

MSST has won last 3 SEC games now 5 wins, 4 losses. Next game, Florida who just beat Tenn. the way these ladies are playing I think the Florida game will be one to watch!

First game after losing his leading rebounder, shotblocker, and post defender, Coach Novak did a great job adjusting to the strengths of C Kohl. She is more of a high post player and did a good job of passing on back door cuts and high post screens. She also played more of a one woman zone so she didn’t have to chase players on defense. R Farley played better tonight too. However the most impressive player for me tonight was Ashley Jones. She was out for an extended time with COVID. She didn’t come in until mid-third quarter but played unreal defense and in control on offense. Coach Novak subbed her in for M Taylor at the end to guard the top. Very impressive game plan by the coaching staff and effort by the players for the road win.

 

[Jmsdawg]

First game after losing his leading rebounder, shotblocker, and post defender, Coach Novak did a great job adjusting to the strengths of C Kohl. She is more of a high post player and did a good job of passing on back door cuts and high post screens. She also played more of a one woman zone so she didn’t have to chase players on defense. R Farley played better tonight too. However the most impressive player for me tonight was Ashley Jones. She was out for an extended time with COVID. She didn’t come in until mid-third quarter but played unreal defense and in control on offense. Coach Novak subbed her in for M Taylor at the end to guard the top. Very impressive game plan by the coaching staff and effort by the players for the road win.

Mil, in your opinion what is Coach Novak doing that has these players so determined to keep giving max effort. I looked at Rickea stats line and they were not bad but it appears team chemistry without Rickea has remarkable improved. Is the max effort a results of Rickea gone or does Coach Novak just know the right buttons to push?

 

[militarydog]

Mil, in your opinion what is Coach Novak doing that has these players so determined to keep giving max effort. I looked at Rickea stats line and they were not bad but it appears team chemistry without Rickea has remarkable improved. Is the max effort a results of Rickea gone or does Coach Novak just know the right buttons to push?

Obviously Coach Novak knows basketball. The players have been around basketball nearly their whole lives so they have seen good and bad coaches. Multiple players in interviews have stated it was apparent at the first practice Coach Novak knew how to help them be better. I also think Coach Benton, Coach Knight and Coach Thornton have done well as assistants. What Coach Thornton has done with the posts is unreal. I also think Coach Novak is a likeable guy with an even presence.
Credit also has to go to Coach McCray-Penson for bringing in some competitive players. The Hayes sisters, D Carter, J Jordan, and A Jones are all aggressive and mentally strong players that are willing to do the dirty work. M Taylor might be strongest of all if you consider what she has endured over her career.
Finally I think the R Jackson situation is badly overblown. R Jackson is an alpha and incredibly talented. She is also basically a kid. She is going to make decisions based on her life experiences. Anastasia Hayes is also an alpha and incredibly talented. She is generally been seen as the “good guy” in the alleged feud that lead to the transfer. However years ago she was dismissed from Tennessee after being one of their highest ranked recruits. I applaud her growth as she is team leader. She can will herself to score when the team needs it and raises the play of her teammates.
I’ve met both young ladies and I fully expect both will grow to be wonderful adults. In fact both are very nice people now. I wish R Jackson the best of luck. However a fresh start for her is definitely the best thing for her and Mississippi State.

 

[amb3096]

Interesting that Annie is viewed as the "good guy" in the feud. Over on the Tennessee boards, we just assumed it was the usual Hayes family drama resurfacing. She's a top notch player, though. It's a shame that injuries and defections have hurt MSST so badly. You guys would have been a top 4 SEC team with Jessika, Jackson, and Hayes leading the way. Frankly, it's amazing what MSST has accomplished this season with all of the adversity. Your schedule is about to get really brutal, and things could go downhill quickly, but I hope that Coach Novak gets the interim tag removed. He proved this year that he could motivate players and pull of wins that they had no business getting. He's much closer to Vic than McCray Penson was even on her best day.

 

[GoDawgs4]

I think making Coach Novak permanent is about the easiest decision that John Cohen has had in recent years.

I know it seems I have been critical of R Jackson but part of the problem is when these players get tagged as a 5 star (in her case), 4 star etc., I am one to be a bit dubious of the criteria that is used to determine the ratings. I say that because they are unfair to a player like Rickea Jackson. She was a glorified as the best player that State ever signed. But truthfully, she was an eighteen year old young lady who was a good basketball player in high school. How that translates to the college level is a complete unknown. No doubt that she was talented but the expectation was that she was going to be a great college player from the start. It happens in other sports but it is much more pronounced in basketball (in this case Women’s Basketball) because you only sign 2-3-4 players a year and only 5 play at a time time so the spotlight shines brightly on individual players.
Unfortunately, in her case she did not shine from the beginning (not unexpected mind you), then you throw in the coaching turnover, players leaving and instead of excelling, her game (IMO) has declined significantly from her freshman season.

That said, I agree with MilDog, that a fresh start for her will do her wonders and I am pulling for her to be that great player wherever she lands.

 

[SECbbfan24]

Kim Mulkey was meeting with the media people this week and she said Florida is out of their mind if they don't give the job to Coach Finley. I tend to agree...

 

[Jmsdawg]

Florida beat UGA 54-51

 

[visitingcock]

Kim Mulkey was meeting with the media people this week and she said Florida is out of their mind if they don't give the job to Coach Finley. I tend to agree...

Florida beat UGA 54-51

Florida coul end up SEC #2.

Nail this coach to a contract NOW!

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Florida beat UGA 54-51

The SEC office would like to go back to the bracket reveal and have a do-over.

 

[Vowelguy]

Florida coul end up SEC #2.

Nail this coach to a contract NOW!

Is Florida the 2nd best team in the conference? Seeming that way ....
I had them #30 in my last BY poll. If I were ranking them now, they'd be top 15 if not higher.

 

[TC22]

Is Florida the 2nd best team in the conference? Seeming that way ....
I had them #30 in my last BY poll. If I were ranking them now, they'd be top 15 if not higher.

I don’t know whether they are or not but they may end up there. There are still a lot of games to be played. I just want SC to win - doesn’t matter who else does what. There are still a lot of games to be played.