Four-guard lineup of Bulldogs tough matchup to guard

Prior to Wednesday’s top 10 matchup against No. 9 Oregon, Mississippi State head coach Vic Schaefer said that he would learn much about his team when that game was finished.

Four quarters later, Schaefer was satisfied with what he learned. The No. 5 Bulldogs looked the part against a top ranked team as they dominated most of the game on the way to a 90-79 victory over a team that made it to last year’s Elite Eight.

Schaefer is aware that this year’s team is doing things a little bit different than the last few. He’s worked a four-guard lineup with all four of those players being senior guards. All it has done has made his team one of the more difficult to guard in the country.

“I just think we’re hard to deal with offensively,” Schaefer said. “People are having a hard time guarding us right now. These kids are making shots. They’re confident. We’re got four senior guards and they’re setting the tone. Those kids have a presence.”

The MSU offense is averaging 84 points per game and hitting 3-pointers at a 37-percent clip. Playing with a fourguard lineup isn’t putting a dent in rebounds, either, as the team is averaging 40 a game and eight more than the competition.

Senior Victoria Vivians is flourishing in her new role. The state’s all-time leading high school scorer is in the midst of her best season as a Bulldog and playing it at the four spot.

Vivians is averaging a career high 20 points per game and shooting a blistering 55 percent, nearly 20 percent higher than her average coming into the season. Vivians is also averaging 5.8 rebounds a game and has been capable on the glass.

Wednesday against Oregon was Vivians at her best. The Carthage native poured in 30 points for the second time this season and scored 26 of those in the second half.

Of course, center Teaira McCowan made the most noise with one of the more dominant performances in school history.

McCowan put up 35 points and 19 rebounds and had a double-double by halftime.

When asked post game how good she can be, she gave an emphatic answer.

“I think I can be great,” McCowan said. “It’s going to take hard work, dedication and buying in. This year I’m way different because I don’t allow myself to get in the way of what I’m trying to do and the goal of my team.”

Schaefer isn’t far off from her prediction. Last year’s Southeastern Conference Sixth Woman of the Year is a bonafide All-American if she continues on this pace. She’s averaging 17.4 points and 12.3 rebounds a game and has had two 30-point performances in non-conference play. Her 22 blocks also make her a defensive force on the inside.

“I still think there’s a level we can get to with her,” Schaefer said of McCowan. “The sky is the limit. Find me someone who got 35 and 19 against a top 10 team this year or last year or the year before. When she is engaged and focused, man, she’s a monster. I need that daily, weekly and monthly.”

MSU is hosting a final opponent in a four-game homestand today when Maine comes to town for a 2 p.m. tip. The Bulldogs travel to Las Vegas for a Wednesday and Thursday matchup against UNLV and Syracuse in the Duel in the Desert. College Football AP Top 25

Team…..Record

1. Clemson (43)…..(12-1)

2. Oklahoma (18)…..(12-1)

3. Georgia…..(12-1)

4. Alabama…..(11-1)

5. Ohio State…..(11-2)

6. Wisconsin…..(12-1)

7. Auburn…..(10-3)

8. Southern Cal…..(11-2)

9. Penn State…..(10-2)

10. Central Florida…..(12-0)

11. Miami…..(10-2)

12. Washington…..(10-2)

13. TCU…..(10-3)

14. Notre Dame…..(9-3)

15. Stanford…..(9-4)

16. LSU…..(9-3)

17. Oklahoma State…..(9-3)

18. Michigan State…..(9-3)

19. Memphis…..(10-2)

20. Northwestern…..(9-3)

21. Washington State…..(9-3)

22. Virginia Tech…..(9-3)

23. South Florida…..(9-2)

24. Mississippi State…..(8-4)

25. Boise State…..(10-3)

Others receiving votes: North Carolina State 54, San Diego State 40, Toledo 25, Louisville 11, FAU 8, Michigan 8, Fresno State 6, Missouri 3, Troy 1, Kansas State 1.

Amway Coaches Top 25 Top 25

Team…..RecordAP

1. Clemson (49)…..(12-1)

2. Oklahoma (10)…..(12-1)

3. Georgia (2)…..(12-1)

4. Alabama…..(11-1)

5. Ohio State…..(11-2)

6. Wisconsin…..(12-1)

7. Southern Cal…..(11-2)

8. Auburn…..(10-3)

9. Penn State…..(10-2)

10. Central Florida…..(12-0)

11. Miami…..(10-2)

12. Washington…..(10-2)

13. TCU…..(10-3)

14. LSU…..(9-3)

15. Notre Dame…..(9-3)

16. Stanford…..(9-4)

17. Oklahoma State…..(9-3)

18. Memphis…..(10-2)

19. Michigan State…..(9-3)

20. Northwestern…..(9-3)

21. Washington State…..(9-3)

22. Virginia Tech…..(9-3)

23. Mississippi State…..(8-4)

24. South Florida…..(9-2)

25. Boise State…..(10-3)

Others receiving votes: North Carolina State 54; San Diego State 50; Florida Atlantic 24; Toledo 21; Michigan 11; Troy 11; Fresno State 5; Louisville 4; South Carolina 4.

CFP Rankings

1. Clemson (12-1)

2. Oklahoma (12-1)

3. Georgia (12-1)

4. Alabama (11-1)

5. Ohio State (11-2)

6. Wisconsin (12-1)

7. Auburn (10-3)

8. Southern Cal (11-2)

9. Penn State (10-2)

10. Miami (10-2)

11. Washington (10-2)

12. Central Florida (12-0)

13. Stanford (9-4)

14. Notre Dame (9-3)

15. TCU (10-3)

16. Michigan State (9-3)

17. LSU (9-3)

18. Washington State (9-3)

19. Oklahoma State (9-3)

20. Memphis (10-2)

21. Northwestern (9-3)

22. Virginia Tech (9-3)

23. Mississippi State (8-4)

24. North Carolina State (8-4)

25. Boise State (10-3)

Bowl Glance

Today, Dec. 16 Celebration Bowl At Atlanta

NC A&T 21, Grambling State 14

New Orleans Bowl

Troy 50, North Texas 30

Cure Bowl Orlando, Fla.

Georgia State 27, Western Kentucky 17

Las Vegas Bowl

Boise State 38, Oregon 28

New Mexico Bowl Albuquerque

Marshall 31, Colorado State 28

Camellia Bowl Montgomery, Ala.

Arkansas State (7-3) vs. Middle Tennessee (6-6), Late

Tuesday, Dec. 19 Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl

Akron (7-6) vs. FAU (10-3), 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Wednesday, Dec. 20 Frisco (Texas) Bowl

Louisiana Tech (6-6) (ESPN) vs. SMU (7-5), 8 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 21 Gasparilla Bowl At St. Petersburg, Fla.

Temple (6-6) vs. FIU (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Friday, Dec. 22 Bahamas Bowl Nassau

Ohio (8-4) vs. UAB (8-4), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Boise

Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Wyoming (7-5), 4 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, Dec. 23 Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl

South Florida (9-2) vs. Texas Tech (6-6), Noon (ESPN)

Armed Forces Bowl Fort Worth, Texas

San Diego State (10-2) vs. Army (8-3), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Dollar General Bowl Mobile, Ala.

Appalachian State (8-4) vs. Toledo (11-2), 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Sunday, Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl Honolulu

Fresno State (9-4) vs. Houston (7-4), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Tuesday, Dec. 26 Heart of Dallas Bowl

West Virginia (7-5) vs. Utah (6-6), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Quick Lane Bowl Detroit

Northern Illinois (8-4) vs. Duke (6-6), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)

Cactus Bowl Phoenix

Kansas State (7-5) vs. UCLA (6-6), 9 p.m. (ESPN)

Wednesday, Dec. 27 3 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 5 p.m.

GOLF 10 a.m.

GOLF - PNC Father/Son Challenge, final round, at Orlando, Fla.

2 p.m.

SOCCER 8:15 a.m. Independence Bowl Shreveport, La.

Southern Mississippi (8-4) vs. Florida State (6-6), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Pinstripe Bowl Bronx, N.Y.

Boston College (7-5) vs. Iowa (7-5), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)

Foster Farms Bowl Santa Clara, Calif.

Arizona (7-5) vs. Purdue (6-6), 8:30 p.m. (FOX)

Texas Bowl Houston

Texas (6-6) vs. Missouri (7-5), 9 p.m. (ESPN)

Thursday, Dec. 28 Military Bowl Annapolis, Md.

Virginia (6-6) vs. Navy (6-5), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Camping World Bowl Orlando, Fla.

Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Virginia Tech (93), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)

Alamo Bowl San Antonio

Stanford (9-4) vs. TCU (10-3), 9 p.m. (ESPN)

Holiday Bowl San Diego

Washington State (9-3) vs. Michigan State (9-3), 9 p.m. (FOX)

Friday, Dec. 29 Belk Bowl Charlotte, N.C.

Wake Forest (7-5) vs. Texas A&M (7-5), 1 p.m. (ESPN)

Sun Bowl El Paso, Texas

NC State (8-4) vs. Arizona State (7-5), 3 p.m. (CBS)

Music City Bowl Nashville, Tenn.

Kentucky (7-5) vs. Northwestern (9-3), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Arizona Bowl Tucson, Ariz.

New Mexico State (5-6) vs. Utah State (66), 5:30 p.m. (CBSSN)

Cotton Bowl Classic Arlington, Texas

Southern Cal (11-2) vs. Ohio State (11-2), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, Dec. 30 TaxSlayer Bowl Jacksonville, Fla. Louisville (8-4) vs. Mississippi State (8-4), Noon (ESPN)

Liberty Bowl Noon 2 p.m. 3 p.m. Memphis, Tenn.

Iowa State (7-5) vs. Memphis (10-2), 12:30 p.m. (ABC)

Fiesta Bowl Glendale, Ariz.

Washington (10-2) vs. Penn State (10-2), 4 p.m. (ESPN)

Orange Bowl Miami Gardens, Fla.

Wisconsin (12-1) vs. Miami (10-2), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Monday, Jan. 1 Outback Bowl Tampa, Fla.

Michigan (8-4) vs. South Carolina (8-4), Noon (ESPN2)

Peach Bowl Atlanta

UCF (12-0) vs. Auburn (10-3), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Citrus Bowl Orlando, Fla.

Notre Dame (9-3) vs. LSU (9-3), 1 p.m. (ABC)

Rose Bowl (CFP Semifinal) Pasadena, Calif.

Oklahoma (12-1) vs. Georgia (12-1), 5:10 p.m. (ESPN)

Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal) New Orleans

Clemson (12-1) vs. Alabama (11-1), 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)

Monday, Jan. 8 College Football Championship Atlanta

Rose Bowl winner vs. Sugar Bowl winner, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, Jan. 20 East-West Shrine Classic At St. Petersburg, Fla.

East vs. West, 3 p.m. (NFLN)

NFLPA Collegiate Bowl At Carson, Calif.

American vs. National, TBA (FS1)

Saturday, Jan. 27 Senior Bowl At Mobile, Ala.

North vs. South, 2:30 p.m. (NFLN)

Mississippi State Bowl History

Record: 12-8

Dec. 26, 2016 St. Petersburg Bowl — Mississippi St. 17, Miami (Ohio) 16 Dec. 30, 2015 Belk Bowl — Mississippi St. 51, N.C. State 28