Mississippi State women’s basketball gets one last non-conference tune up before SEC play

While Sam Purcell and the Mississippi State women's basketball team get set for an intriguing matchup against a solid Vanderbilt team, the Bulldogs have one last tune up before SEC play begins.

Oct 19, 2023; Birmingham, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard JerKaila Jordan talks with the
Oct 19, 2023; Birmingham, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard JerKaila Jordan talks with the | Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Just before the start of SEC play is set to begin for Sam Purcell and the Mississippi State women’s basketball team, the Mississippi State Bulldogs will get to meet up with an in-state foe: the Mississippi Valley State Devilettes. 

Now, this isn’t a huge deal for the Bulldogs. There’s no real rivalry here. Mississippi State is definitely the far and away greater team here. So far this season, MSU is 12-2 on the season. Not perfect, but still pretty good with just a couple stumbles. 

As for MVSU? Well, the Devilettes are 1-10 on the season and they’re riding the wave of a nine game losing streak. So, the MSU Bulldogs are trying to get a fifth straight win. MVSU just wants a second win for this season. 

These two programs are in two very different places. 

But, while this game should definitely be a blowout win for Mississippi State, a dominant victory over a struggling in-state foe will give Purcell and the Bulldogs even more momentum before hitting a gauntlet of SEC play.

Mississippi State women’s basketball: Bulldogs to tune up against MVSU in preparation for SEC play

So, a convincing win over the Delivettes isn’t important in terms of what happens in just this game.

This is a prime opportunity to iron out any wrinkles and issues beforehand welcoming an intriguing Vanderbilt Commodores team to town. 

A lot of Mississippi State fans might be looking past the Vanderbilt Commodores, but that seems like a mistake that folks who only look at the surface and brand name might make. We’re not doing that around here. While Vandy is bad at a number of things (mostly just football, to be completely honest), they’ve got a solid women’s basketball team in Nashville right now.

The Commodores are off to an 11-1 start and are the fourth best team in the Southeastern Conference when it comes to three point shooting. 

So yeah, let’s get a big win over MVSU. Partially because a big win over an in-state foe would be nice, but also because I’d like for the Bulldogs to be ready for a Vanderbilt team that might cause issues for MSU next Friday.