Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Mississippi State Ranked In Preseason AP Top 25
October 17, 2023 | Women's Basketball
STARKVILLE – For the first time under the leadership of head coach Sam Purcell, the Mississippi State women's basketball team will open its season ranked in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 poll, as the Bulldogs check in at No. 25.
Mississippi State finds itself ranked in the preseason AP poll for the first time since 2020, and the first time they have been ranked in the AP Top 25 since Feb. 24, 2021.
State concluded its 2022-23 campaign with a 22-11 record, earning a spot in the tournament for the first time since 2019. The 11-seeded Bulldogs made waves when they opened the 2023 NCAA Tournament with a win over Illinois in the First Four before knocking off Creighton in the first round and cementing Coach Purcell's 'Talk to me nice' phrase that took over ESPN. State closed its season in the NCAA Tournament in the Second Round against Notre Dame.
Entering the 2023-24 season, the Bulldogs return five players from last season, highlighted by starters Jessika Carter, Jerkaila Jordan and Debreasha Powe. Carter returns for her sixth year in the maroon and white after leading the Bulldogs in points, rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage. Her most recent career honors include the 2023 SEC All-Defensive Team and Second Team All-SEC accolades. Most recently, Carter was named to the 2023 Preseason All-SEC Second team. Joining Carter from the starting five are Jordan, who led the Bulldogs in made threes, and Powe, who was named to the All-SEC Freshman team last season.
Three transfer portal additions are joining the Bulldogs' five returners: Darrione Rogers, Lauren Park-Lane and Erynn Barnum. The talented trio was ranked as the third-best transfer portal class in the country this summer. Additionally, Mississippi State welcomes JUCO All-American Meloney Thames, as well as a trio of 4-star freshmen in Mjracle Sheppard, Jasmine Brown-Hagger and Quanirah Montague. Coach Purcell's first signing class ranked 16th nationally.
The Bulldogs will begin their 2023-24 campaign on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. inside the newly renovated Humphrey Coliseum when they host Alcorn State.
For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on X, "Like" them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK."
Mississippi State finds itself ranked in the preseason AP poll for the first time since 2020, and the first time they have been ranked in the AP Top 25 since Feb. 24, 2021.
State concluded its 2022-23 campaign with a 22-11 record, earning a spot in the tournament for the first time since 2019. The 11-seeded Bulldogs made waves when they opened the 2023 NCAA Tournament with a win over Illinois in the First Four before knocking off Creighton in the first round and cementing Coach Purcell's 'Talk to me nice' phrase that took over ESPN. State closed its season in the NCAA Tournament in the Second Round against Notre Dame.
Entering the 2023-24 season, the Bulldogs return five players from last season, highlighted by starters Jessika Carter, Jerkaila Jordan and Debreasha Powe. Carter returns for her sixth year in the maroon and white after leading the Bulldogs in points, rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage. Her most recent career honors include the 2023 SEC All-Defensive Team and Second Team All-SEC accolades. Most recently, Carter was named to the 2023 Preseason All-SEC Second team. Joining Carter from the starting five are Jordan, who led the Bulldogs in made threes, and Powe, who was named to the All-SEC Freshman team last season.
Three transfer portal additions are joining the Bulldogs' five returners: Darrione Rogers, Lauren Park-Lane and Erynn Barnum. The talented trio was ranked as the third-best transfer portal class in the country this summer. Additionally, Mississippi State welcomes JUCO All-American Meloney Thames, as well as a trio of 4-star freshmen in Mjracle Sheppard, Jasmine Brown-Hagger and Quanirah Montague. Coach Purcell's first signing class ranked 16th nationally.
The Bulldogs will begin their 2023-24 campaign on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. inside the newly renovated Humphrey Coliseum when they host Alcorn State.
For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on X, "Like" them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK."
– HailState.com –
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