National Finalist Bulldogs Open 2017-18 Sunday With First Practice

Reigning national finalist Mississippi State officially opens the 2017-18 season Sunday afternoon as it holds its first official practice.

National Finalist Bulldogs Open 2017-18 Sunday With First Practice

September 30, 2017 | Women's Basketball

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STARKVILLE, Miss. – The curtain drops on a historic 2016-17 and raises on 2017-18 Sunday afternoon as the national finalist Mississippi State women's basketball team holds its first practice of the new season.

Entering his sixth season as the Bulldogs' head coach, Vic Schaefer brings back nine players from last year's squad that advanced to the national championship game in the program's first Final Four appearance.

Winners of the Best Upset ESPY for the thrilling 66-64 overtime upset of UConn in the 2016 national semifinal, MSU capped the record-setting year with program bests for overall (34) and SEC (13) wins as well as a second-place league finish.

State returns 69 percent of its point production from that squad, including leading scorers Victoria Vivians (16.2 ppg), Morgan William (10.9 ppg) and Teaira McCowan (8.7 ppg). Vivians and William both earned All-America accolades a year ago, while McCowan, State's leading rebounder at 7.1 rpg, was named SEC Sixth Woman of the Year.

Vivians, William and fellow senior Blair Schaefer enter their final campaign in Maroon & White having won 89 career games, eighth-most in the nation since 2014-15. Fellow senior Roshunda Johnson joins them in the backcourt after averaging 6.3 ppg and shooting 42.9% from the field and 43.8% from 3-point range last season, her first in Starkville.

"We've changed the perception of Mississippi State. People understand what we're accomplishing yearly. Last year's senior class won 111 games in four years and that's hard to do," Schaefer said. "It's a tremendous credit to my players and my staff. Our job now is to maintain it. We've gone from 27 to 28 to 34 wins. We're excited about this season, but what we have been preaching is that year is over. We lost four seniors who won 111 games. This senior class will be remembered for what we accomplish this year, and they have a chance to pass those 111 wins."

In addition to the talented group of returnees, the Bulldogs bring in a rookie class that ranked as high as No. 19 nationally. The group features a pair of Mississippi all-state standouts in Myah Taylor and Nyah Tate. Arkansas all-state selection Bre'Amber Scott joins them along with Chloe Bibby, one of the top youth players in Australia, and junior college standout Jonika Garvin.

The Bulldogs open a challenging 2017-18 slate Nov. 10 when Virginia comes to the Hump for the second half of a doubleheader with the men's team. Tip is set for 8 p.m., with a Final Four banner raising ceremony to take place prior.

Tickets for that contest, as well as general admission season tickets, can be purchased online at www.hailstate.com/tickets or by phone at 1-888-GO-DAWGS.