MSU looks to follow up very good season with a better one

Last season was the best year Mississippi State women’s basketball has ever had.

There is little disputing that. The Bulldogs reached their first-ever Final Four and played for a national title.

Yet State isn’t satisfied with those accolades. On Wednesday, as part of Mississippi State’s on-campus preseason media day, the Bulldogs reiterated that despite all the glory of last year, they’re not ready to accept always being the bridesmaid instead of the bride. They’re now fueled to stand alone at the top.

“We came in second in everything (last year),” MSU senior guard Victoria Vivians said. “We came in second in the SEC Tournament and in SEC regular season play. We came in second in the Final Four. That gives us something to strive for because we haven’t been No. 1 in anything yet.”

The pathway to reaching the peak of the mountain this go-around soon begins. MSU will tip off its 2017-2018 season on Nov. 10 with a home game against Virginia. Already though, there are challenges.

Sophomore guard Iggy Allen, one of nine returning letter winners from last year’s national runner-up squad, has suffered a torn ACL and MCL and is out for the season.

“That’s a fairly significant blow for us,” MSU head coach Vic Schaefer said of Allen’s injury. “She was probably going to have a chance to start at the three.”

There’s also the obstacle of replacing key pieces. Gone are four seniors from last year’s group. Forward Breanna Richardson, center Chinwe Okorie, forward Ketara Chapel and guard Dominque Dillingham, who will serve as a graduate assistant coach on this year’s team, will all no longer be on the floor pro-

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