Mississippi State shows Lady Vols what a championship team looks like
John Adams
Tennessee lost a basketball game it should have won in overtime against Texas A&M. And it blew a 23-point lead in losing to Notre Dame.
But the Lady Vols’ third loss in the past four games was more about what the opponent had than what they lacked.
Unbeaten Mississippi State asserted its superiority early on, demonstrated great balance on offense and defense, and won going away, 71-52 at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday afternoon. The No. 3 Bulldogs not only played up to their ranking, they looked even better than they did in beating Tennessee in Knoxville last season on the way to the Final Four.
“They’ve got a kid inside (6-foot-7 Teaira McCowan) that’s an anchor,” Tennessee coach Holly Warlick said. “(Victoria) Vivians is an outstanding player.
“They all have roles and they play them really, really, well. They probably aren’t as deep as they’ve been. But I think this year they’re better than they were (last season).”
Mississippi State can score inside or outside, plays exceptional team defense and protects the basketball. Their only shortcoming might be a lack of size behind McCowan, who had 18 rebounds and 12 points after a slow start offensively.
Tennessee (16-3) defended McCowan well early and got a great first half from 6-6 Mercedes Russell, who was 6-for-6 from the field in scoring 12 points in the first 20 minutes. Russell finished with 16 points against one of the best centers in the country.
“I thought Mercedes was outstanding,” Warlick said. “Mercedes held her own.”
However, that wasn't enough to come close against a team as seasoned and as well rounded as Mississippi State. Unlike, Tennessee, which sometimes struggles when it can’t get the ball to Russell, the Bulldogs weren’t fazed when the offense didn't go through McCowan.
Vivians, who had a game-high 24 points, repeatedly got the best of UT star Jaime Nared, scoring from the perimeter and on drives to the basket. Guards Blair Schaefer and Roshunda Johnson complemented Vivians by combining to make six of 11 3-point attempts.
“In our conference, you’re going to win and lose with guard play,” Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer emphasized. “I’ve got four senior guards.”
Conversely, Tennessee relies heavily on two freshman guards, Evina Westbrook and Anastasia Hayes. But two of its more experienced players looked out of sorts against the Bulldogs.
Meme Jackson, who was outstanding in last Thursday’s loss to Notre Dame, made only one of 10 field-goal tries; Nared, who’s sometimes guilty of trying too hard to make something happen offensively, was 3-for-14 shooting.
Their wayward shooting was magnified by Mississippi State’s more precise shot selection. The Bulldogs don’t force things and rarely seem rattled, even in those rare moments when the game appears to be going their opponent’s way.
UT doesn’t have the same poise. You saw that when it failed to finish off an undermanned Texas A&M team on the road. You saw it again when it collapsed against Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
And you saw it against Mississippi State from the outset.
“We took a lot of ill-advised shots,” Warlick said. “We just didn’t have it (Sunday). A tough day at the office.”
A tough day made tougher by the Bulldogs, who reminded Tennessee what a championship team looks like.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.
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