Bulldogs women learning from loss

Mississippi State, Irish play for title

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Vic Schaefer and his Mississippi State Bulldogs carry a constant reminder of how far they went in the NCAA women’s tournament a year ago, and what must still be done.

It’s right there, engraved on the side of their runner-up rings:“ONE MORE.”

A season after losing to South Carolina, 67-55, in the title game, Morgan William and the Bulldogs try again to win that elusive first crown. They play Notre Dame Sunday night in a matchup of teams that have both spoiled perfect seasons for mighty Connecticut, the Irish this year and Mississippi State last year.

“We would say ‘ add another one’ a lot. ‘One more,” Schaefer said. “It came from two Navy SEALs who worked with the kids in the fall — Sam and Brian. One of the things they talk about all the time is ‘one more.’”

Schaefer learned a lot from the 2017 title game loss. He felt his players were tired after practicing the day after the monumental upset of Connecticut that ended the Huskies’ record 111-game winning streak.

So he has changed his philosophy the second time around and will be taking it a biteasier on his team.

“I told my seniors and they called the doctor thinking I had lost my mind,” Schaefer said. “We’re not going to kill ourselves in practice.”

The Bulldogs won another semifinal thriller this year, beating Louisville in overtime. This time though, it was the first game, and the players were able to get to bed about three hours earlier than a year ago.

“Yeah, we watched the UConn-Notre Dame game but then were able to get to sleep around 12:30 a.m.,” said William, who hit the buzzer-beating shot that dropped Connecticut in 2017.

This time it was Notre Dame that ended the Huskies’ undefeated season. Arike Ogunbowale hit a jumper from the wing with a second left in overtime to beat the Huskies.

A win Sunday would give coach Muffet McGraw a second title at Notre Dame. The Irish won in 2001 before falling short in the championship in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

This will be the first time these teams have played each other. Schaefer and McGraw, however, are not strangers. Schaefer was an assistant coach on the Texas A&M team that beat Notre Dame to win the 2011 national championship.

“They were here last year. They know what it’s like,” McGraw said. “So for us, I think just a matter of continuing to do what we’ve been doing and not let the pressure of the moment get to