Allen's motor running high as Bulldogs start practice
It helps to know what to expect going into the first day of practice. Jacaira "Iggy" Allen was a freshman for the Mississippi State women's basketball team last season after joining the program out of Dillard High School in Pompano Beach, Florida.
On Sunday, Allen went through her second first day of practice with the Bulldogs and she was comfortable with the surroundings.
Having been through one season already under MSU head coach Vic Schaefer and his staff made it a much better situation for Allen.
"It's all a mental thing," Allen said. "Mentally you've got to be prepared at level and what coach Schaefer expects from us."
Schaefer has been pleased with Allen during offseason conditioning. He said she finished first in most drills and that carried over into practice.
Allen saw action in 20 games last season for the Bulldogs and Schaefer expects her to contribute more as she continues to learn.
"She's just got a real motor right now," Schaefer said. "It's very evident in everything she does. Her learning the game is going to be the biggest thing right now. It's that fact we're out here playing and playing with a purpose."
Schaefer said Sunday was a typical first day of practice with the first hour and a half being good and the next hour or so not good.
The day started for MSU with individual post and guard work on each end of the court in the Mize Pavilion, then transition was the focus before moving to the Humphrey Coliseum floor to concentrate on shooting drills. Defensive and offensive work was emphasized before the time was wrapped up with conditioning.
There were 15 Bulldogs on the floor for the opening workout with nine returning players.
In the upcoming days of practice, Schaefer wants to see competition at every position and see which players step up.
"I want to see people come to the top," Schaefer said. "That was evident last year in the NCAA Tournament. I played the people that were hot and I think this year that's the way it's going to be. Game in and game out, it's gong to be whoever has practiced well that week.
"I've got four seniors guards and I wished I could play them all at the same time because they all overlap and play some of the same positions. I think we'll have great competition there. I'm hopeful that every day somebody is going to make me play them. I want them to make me play you."
MSU opens the season on November 10 against Virginia at 8 p.m.