SEC Champ Bulldogs Open SEC Tournament Action Friday

STARKVILLE, Miss. – No. 2 Mississippi State made history in the regular season with its 30-0 record and the program's first SEC championship.

Now the Bulldogs turn the page to the postseason as they face Kentucky (15-16) in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals Friday at noon CT in Nashville, Tenn.

The contest from Bridgestone Arena will be broadcast live on the SEC Network, with Courtney Lyle, Tamika Catchings and Steffi Sorensen calling the contest.

Jason Crowder and Charlie Winfield will describe the action on the MSU Radio Network and online on www.HailState.com/Plus and the TuneIn app.

Mississippi State earned the No. 1 seed as it became the third SEC team to go undefeated in the regular season and the first in 20 years.

The Bulldogs recorded the second-longest win streak in SEC history and remained one of two undefeated teams in Division I men's or women's basketball.

Vic Schaefer's squad accomplished the historic feat behind an offense and defense that both topped the SEC.

The monumental regular season earned Schaefer SEC Coach of the Year. Leading scorers Victoria Vivians and Teaira McCowan were named First Team All-SEC, while Morgan William earned a spot on the second team.

McCowan was also tabbed SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and to the all-defensive team along with Blair Schaefer, who was named one of three SEC Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

GAME INFORMATION
Opponent: Kentucky (SEC Tournament Quarterfinals)
Location: Nashville, Tenn. (Bridgestone Arena)
Date: Friday, March 2
Time: 12 p.m. CT
Television: SEC Network (PxP – Courtney Lyle; Analyst – Tamika Catchings; Reporter – Steffi Sorensen)
Watch Online: WatchESPN.com or WatchESPN App
Listen: MSU Radio Network, HailState.com/Plus, TuneIn App (PxP – Jason Crowder; Analyst – Charlie Winfield)

SERIES HISTORY
KENTUCKY (Kentucky leads 27-19)
At MSU: UK leads 10-9
At Kentucky: UK leads 12-9
At Neutral Sites: UK leads 5-1

Last 10 Meetings
2/25/18                    W             85-63                      A
2/11/18                    W             74-55                      H
2/23/2017               L               75-78 (OT) A
2/18/2016               L               60-83                      H
3/6/2015                 L               67-76                      N
2/12/2015               L               90-92 (2OT) A
2/27/2014               L               74-81 (OT) H
1/17/2013               L               47-100                    A
2/26/2012               L               40-76                      H
1/8/2012                 L               40-88                      A
1/16/2011               L               60-72                      A

BULLDOG BITES

MSU is the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament for the first time after winning the program's first regular-season title. The Bulldogs have advanced to the SEC Tournament championship game the past 2 seasons.
State capped the first undefeated regular season by a league team since 1997-98. MSU's 30-straight wins is the 2nd-longest win streak in SEC history. The 30 wins are most in the nation and the longest active win streak in the country.
Vic Schaefer was named SEC Coach of the Year by the league coaches and Associated Press.
Victoria Vivians and Teaira McCowan were tabbed First Team All-SEC by the coaches and AP. Morgan William was a Second Team honoree by the coaches.
McCowan was voted SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and is on the All-Defensive Team along with Blair Schaefer, who was tabbed 1 of 3 SEC Scholar-Athletes of the Year.
Vic Schaefer is a semifinalist for Naismith Coach of the Year, and Victoria Vivians a Naismith Player of the Year semifinalist.
Vivians, McCowan and Blair Schaefer are the 3 finalists for the Gillom Trophy, given to Mississippi's top women's player.
MSU tops the SEC in offense (83.5 ppg) and defense (55.5 ppg). State is 7th nationally in offense, 16th in defense.
State is 9th nationally in 3-point FG percentage with a 39.5% clip that would be a school record.
McCowan set the school record for double-doubles in a season with 22.
With 2,344-career points, Vivians is 77 points shy of tying Tan White for 2nd all-time at MSU.
Ro Johnson is averaging 15.4 ppg and shooting 50% from the field, 58.6% from the arc the last 5 games.
With 81 3-pointers this year, Blair Schaefer is 1 back of 3rd at MSU and 5 shy of 2nd.

SEC Champ Bulldogs Open SEC Tournament Action Friday

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Players Mentioned

Teaira McCowan

Blair Schaefer

Victoria Vivians

Morgan William

Mississippi State University Athletics