Schaefer Recaps Thanksgiving Trip, Previews West Virginia Matchup
December 04, 2019 | Women's Basketball
Schaefer Recaps Thanksgiving Trip, Previews West Virginia Matchup
by Josh Lively, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State women's basketball head coach Vic Schaefer met with the media on Wednesday afternoon, recapping the team's trip to Marquette and Canada along with previewing State's upcoming matchup against West Virginia.
The 10th-ranked Bulldogs (8-1) are coming off a second-place finish in the Greater Victoria Invitational over Thanksgiving, claiming victories over San Francisco and Green Bay. State fell in the championship game to now No. 1 Stanford, 67-62. MSU erased a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to have a chance to tie the ballgame with less than 30 seconds remaining but its rally came up short.
Now, Mississippi State has its sights set on a home matchup with West Virginia for the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Sunday at 1 p.m. Fans can receive free admission to the game by bringing either a canned good, nonperishable food or toiletry item to the ticket office at Humphrey Coliseum to benefit Bully's Closet & Pantry.
"For our game Sunday, we have a stock the pantry that benefits Bully's Closet and Pantry," said Schaefer. "Anybody that will bring a canned good or non-perishable item can get in free. I have been here eight years. We don't have too many games where you can do something to get in free. It is that time of year. It is the reason for the season. It is a time of giving. What that can do for people in our community is special. I just want to encourage everyone to do that, from tuna to chicken noodle soup to a box of oatmeal and anything in between."
For fans unable to attend the game, the contest will be televised live on SEC Network and will be carried by the MSU Radio Network. It can also be streamed free on HailState.com/plus and the Tune In app.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK."
Vic Schaefer
Opening Statement
"First of all, I want to congratulate Coach Moorhead and his staff and the players on the great victory over the weekend. I watched it from my hotel room in Canada. The paint that is peeled off in the room from me screaming and hollering will never be the same. I am excited for them and for our university. I am happy for those guys.
"For our game Sunday, we have a stock the pantry that benefits Bully's Closet and Pantry. Anybody that will bring a canned good or non-perishable item can get in free. I have been here eight years. We don't have too many games where you can do something to get in free. It is that time of year. It is the reason for the season. It is a time of giving. What that can do for people in our community is special. I just want to encourage everyone to do that, from tuna to chicken noodle soup to a box of oatmeal and anything in between.
"We had a great trip. We were gone a long time, and we are glad to be home. It took 21 hours for us to get home. We might as well have gone to Europe as far as the traveling went. It was a long day for our kids Sunday. I think we got them up at 5:30 or 6 a.m. We got back at 3:00 a.m. That is 21 hours. We had three airplanes and some delays. We were lucky to get home.
"It was a very beneficial trip for our program. We played some really good competition. We started with Marquette on the road Monday night. We really had to reach back and play really well, especially down the stretch. It was a close ballgame where we had to execute, which we did.
"We went from there to Canada the next day and had to play three really good teams back-to-back-to-back. We played really well. San Francisco scored 71 points on Stanford and played them really well and close. They ended up beating Houston later in the tournament. We really played well. They held the ball really similar to UT Martin when we played them here at home. We were still able to execute and score 73 points in that ballgame. We really defended well, holding them to 38 points. Then we had to turn around and play one of the greatest coached teams in the country in Green Bay. They are an extremely disciplined and well-coached team. They are going to guard you and execute their half-court offense. We had a two-point game at halftime. We came out in the second half and played extremely well. I was really proud of our kids and our execution. We didn't turn the ball over that much on the trip, which is encouraging. We then came back and had a knock-down drag-out game with Stanford. We had a shot with 10 seconds left in a wide open three to tie. We could have very well been holding for the last shot to win if some things had gone differently in that game. I was really encouraged in how we played that game and encouraged that we had three sophomores and two freshmen on the floor in the fourth quarter when we made our run. Andra Espinoza-Hunter, who I know is listed as a junior, but this is really only her second year of competition. She was out there with JaMya Mingo-Young at point, Rickea Jackson, Jessika Carter and Xaria Wiggins. There is not a lot of experience out there, and they were going toe-to-toe. They actually won their quarter. We just had a really bad start to the third quarter. We didn't play well. A team like that makes you pay. I am encouraged.
"Coming home, we have a lot of things to fix. As we found out, winning masks a lot of problems. We have our fair share right now, and we are addressing them. We have to get ready for a really good West Virginia team that is going to be coming in here. They have only lost one game all year. They are 5-1. They are playing extremely well, and they have some really good players. Tynice Martin is a dynamic and hard to defend kid. Mike Carey runs a lot of stuff that allows her to be really successful. Kysre Gondrezick is playing off the chart right now. Kari Niblack has always been a great player for them.
"We have to get through finals. Tomorrow is a reading day so we will take tomorrow off and then get back at it. We will get back at it on Friday and Saturday."
Q: How much did JaMya Mingo-Young help against Stanford? Do you expect to see an increase in her minutes?
VS: "We noticed some things that we felt like we had to deal with. We went to Aliyah Matharu early, and she made some big shots for us. At the same time, JaMya is involved on plays on both ends of the floor. It seems like I am always coaching her and talking to her more than anyone during the course of a game because she is involved in everything: good, bad and indifferent. She was involved. She drove the point guard for Stanford nuts, forcing her to eight turnovers. We forced 20 turnovers against them which is really good. We took them out of a lot of the stuff they wanted to do in the second half. As all my kids are, JaMya is not afraid or scared. She is just ultra competitive. I am just impressed with her. It just worked out that way. Nothing in that was planned. It was just what we needed in that position then."
Q: Did you feel like your young players really grew up in the last two quarters?
VS: "Absolutely. I think those kids grew up. They made some really great decisions. They were just playing hard. They were guarding and defending. Our pressure just kind of wore them down. By the fourth quarter they were doing it to us out top. Those kids had a lot to do with that. From the competitive standpoint those were the kids that were out there laying it all on the line and playing extremely hard and defending. They were just playing better. At the end of the day, that is what we are going to do. We are going to play the kids that are playing better at that time. I think those kids were all ready for that moment. They were not afraid of that moment it wasn't too big for them. Like I said, at the end of the day, JaMya is sitting there with a wide-open three. There isn't anyone within 20 feet of her. You know what, she will be ready for that moment again, and she will make that shot next time. That is a shot I want her to take every day, all day. I do absolutely think those kids grew up a little bit."
Q: What did the win against West Virginia in 2016 do for the program?
VS: "It was probably the first big win. It was the semifinals of the Preseason NIT. I think they were ranked at the time. They were No. 17 and of course have a lot of history and tradition. They are just so well coached. It was a big win for us. It was early in the year, and that was that freshman class that was really good for us. A lot has happened for us and them since then. One thing that hasn't changed is they are still a really good basketball team, and they are well coached. I would say we have held our own as well."
Q: What have you seen from Rickea Jackson?
VS: "She has to get us some more rebounds. She knows it. That kid is coming now. She played really well on the trip. Shot it at a good percentage. She is now up to shooting 46 percent. She is 50 percent from three. We probably do not beat Marquette without Rickea in the fourth quarter. Her third time through in the substitution chain was a great rotation for her. She made a big three in the corner. I think we were down five. I had called timeout. She gets a three in the corner and makes it. There aren't many times down the stretch you see a coach go to a freshman. I went to her two straight times, and she delivered offensively. She really played well I thought the whole trip. She is taking better shots and making more shots than she is missing. She is really trying to defend. She can just create some problems for folks."
by Josh Lively, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State women's basketball head coach Vic Schaefer met with the media on Wednesday afternoon, recapping the team's trip to Marquette and Canada along with previewing State's upcoming matchup against West Virginia.
The 10th-ranked Bulldogs (8-1) are coming off a second-place finish in the Greater Victoria Invitational over Thanksgiving, claiming victories over San Francisco and Green Bay. State fell in the championship game to now No. 1 Stanford, 67-62. MSU erased a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to have a chance to tie the ballgame with less than 30 seconds remaining but its rally came up short.
Now, Mississippi State has its sights set on a home matchup with West Virginia for the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Sunday at 1 p.m. Fans can receive free admission to the game by bringing either a canned good, nonperishable food or toiletry item to the ticket office at Humphrey Coliseum to benefit Bully's Closet & Pantry.
"For our game Sunday, we have a stock the pantry that benefits Bully's Closet and Pantry," said Schaefer. "Anybody that will bring a canned good or non-perishable item can get in free. I have been here eight years. We don't have too many games where you can do something to get in free. It is that time of year. It is the reason for the season. It is a time of giving. What that can do for people in our community is special. I just want to encourage everyone to do that, from tuna to chicken noodle soup to a box of oatmeal and anything in between."
For fans unable to attend the game, the contest will be televised live on SEC Network and will be carried by the MSU Radio Network. It can also be streamed free on HailState.com/plus and the Tune In app.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK."
Vic Schaefer
Opening Statement
"First of all, I want to congratulate Coach Moorhead and his staff and the players on the great victory over the weekend. I watched it from my hotel room in Canada. The paint that is peeled off in the room from me screaming and hollering will never be the same. I am excited for them and for our university. I am happy for those guys.
"For our game Sunday, we have a stock the pantry that benefits Bully's Closet and Pantry. Anybody that will bring a canned good or non-perishable item can get in free. I have been here eight years. We don't have too many games where you can do something to get in free. It is that time of year. It is the reason for the season. It is a time of giving. What that can do for people in our community is special. I just want to encourage everyone to do that, from tuna to chicken noodle soup to a box of oatmeal and anything in between.
"We had a great trip. We were gone a long time, and we are glad to be home. It took 21 hours for us to get home. We might as well have gone to Europe as far as the traveling went. It was a long day for our kids Sunday. I think we got them up at 5:30 or 6 a.m. We got back at 3:00 a.m. That is 21 hours. We had three airplanes and some delays. We were lucky to get home.
"It was a very beneficial trip for our program. We played some really good competition. We started with Marquette on the road Monday night. We really had to reach back and play really well, especially down the stretch. It was a close ballgame where we had to execute, which we did.
"We went from there to Canada the next day and had to play three really good teams back-to-back-to-back. We played really well. San Francisco scored 71 points on Stanford and played them really well and close. They ended up beating Houston later in the tournament. We really played well. They held the ball really similar to UT Martin when we played them here at home. We were still able to execute and score 73 points in that ballgame. We really defended well, holding them to 38 points. Then we had to turn around and play one of the greatest coached teams in the country in Green Bay. They are an extremely disciplined and well-coached team. They are going to guard you and execute their half-court offense. We had a two-point game at halftime. We came out in the second half and played extremely well. I was really proud of our kids and our execution. We didn't turn the ball over that much on the trip, which is encouraging. We then came back and had a knock-down drag-out game with Stanford. We had a shot with 10 seconds left in a wide open three to tie. We could have very well been holding for the last shot to win if some things had gone differently in that game. I was really encouraged in how we played that game and encouraged that we had three sophomores and two freshmen on the floor in the fourth quarter when we made our run. Andra Espinoza-Hunter, who I know is listed as a junior, but this is really only her second year of competition. She was out there with JaMya Mingo-Young at point, Rickea Jackson, Jessika Carter and Xaria Wiggins. There is not a lot of experience out there, and they were going toe-to-toe. They actually won their quarter. We just had a really bad start to the third quarter. We didn't play well. A team like that makes you pay. I am encouraged.
"Coming home, we have a lot of things to fix. As we found out, winning masks a lot of problems. We have our fair share right now, and we are addressing them. We have to get ready for a really good West Virginia team that is going to be coming in here. They have only lost one game all year. They are 5-1. They are playing extremely well, and they have some really good players. Tynice Martin is a dynamic and hard to defend kid. Mike Carey runs a lot of stuff that allows her to be really successful. Kysre Gondrezick is playing off the chart right now. Kari Niblack has always been a great player for them.
"We have to get through finals. Tomorrow is a reading day so we will take tomorrow off and then get back at it. We will get back at it on Friday and Saturday."
Q: How much did JaMya Mingo-Young help against Stanford? Do you expect to see an increase in her minutes?
VS: "We noticed some things that we felt like we had to deal with. We went to Aliyah Matharu early, and she made some big shots for us. At the same time, JaMya is involved on plays on both ends of the floor. It seems like I am always coaching her and talking to her more than anyone during the course of a game because she is involved in everything: good, bad and indifferent. She was involved. She drove the point guard for Stanford nuts, forcing her to eight turnovers. We forced 20 turnovers against them which is really good. We took them out of a lot of the stuff they wanted to do in the second half. As all my kids are, JaMya is not afraid or scared. She is just ultra competitive. I am just impressed with her. It just worked out that way. Nothing in that was planned. It was just what we needed in that position then."
Q: Did you feel like your young players really grew up in the last two quarters?
VS: "Absolutely. I think those kids grew up. They made some really great decisions. They were just playing hard. They were guarding and defending. Our pressure just kind of wore them down. By the fourth quarter they were doing it to us out top. Those kids had a lot to do with that. From the competitive standpoint those were the kids that were out there laying it all on the line and playing extremely hard and defending. They were just playing better. At the end of the day, that is what we are going to do. We are going to play the kids that are playing better at that time. I think those kids were all ready for that moment. They were not afraid of that moment it wasn't too big for them. Like I said, at the end of the day, JaMya is sitting there with a wide-open three. There isn't anyone within 20 feet of her. You know what, she will be ready for that moment again, and she will make that shot next time. That is a shot I want her to take every day, all day. I do absolutely think those kids grew up a little bit."
Q: What did the win against West Virginia in 2016 do for the program?
VS: "It was probably the first big win. It was the semifinals of the Preseason NIT. I think they were ranked at the time. They were No. 17 and of course have a lot of history and tradition. They are just so well coached. It was a big win for us. It was early in the year, and that was that freshman class that was really good for us. A lot has happened for us and them since then. One thing that hasn't changed is they are still a really good basketball team, and they are well coached. I would say we have held our own as well."
Q: What have you seen from Rickea Jackson?
VS: "She has to get us some more rebounds. She knows it. That kid is coming now. She played really well on the trip. Shot it at a good percentage. She is now up to shooting 46 percent. She is 50 percent from three. We probably do not beat Marquette without Rickea in the fourth quarter. Her third time through in the substitution chain was a great rotation for her. She made a big three in the corner. I think we were down five. I had called timeout. She gets a three in the corner and makes it. There aren't many times down the stretch you see a coach go to a freshman. I went to her two straight times, and she delivered offensively. She really played well I thought the whole trip. She is taking better shots and making more shots than she is missing. She is really trying to defend. She can just create some problems for folks."
Players Mentioned
F/C
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
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