State readies to host Tennessee Monday
Credit: Mississippi State Athletics
The Bulldogs are back in action Monday night inside The Hump after having a week off. Mississippi State will host Tennessee at 6 p.m. Monday in the first of its three games this week.
GAME INFORMATION
Mississippi State (15-7, 4-5 SEC) vs RV/RV Tennessee (16-8, 8-1 SEC)
Date: Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 // Time: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Starkville, Miss. (Humphrey Coliseum)
Watch: SEC Network (Talent: Brenda VanLengen & Aja Ellison)
Listen: MSU Radio Network (Play-By-Play: Jason Crowder)
Numbers To Know
18 • The Bulldog’s streak of 10+ assists in 18 straight games ended at Georgia on Jan. 29. The streak was MSU’s longest since at least the 2006-07 season when they did it in 17 consecutive games. On the year, the Bulldogs have double-digit assists in 20 of their 22 games.
32 • Mississippi State has recorded at least one blocked shot in 32 straight games. Their last game without a blocked shot was against Missouri on Jan. 27, 2022.
54 • Jessika Carter leads the SEC in blocked shots (54) and blocks per game (2.5). She is one of two players in the SEC with 50+ blocked shots. Carter is seven blocked shots shy of setting a new career high. She had 60 during the 2019-20 season.
16 • Head Coach Sam Purcell earned his 15th career win on Jan. 22 vs. Kentucky. He is one win shy of having the most wins by a head coach in their first season at MSU. 15 is the record currently held by Doug Novak. No coach at MSU has ever had a winning SEC record in year one.
Series History
• Tennessee leads the all-time series 39-7 with a record of 18-2 when the game is played in Starkville.
• The Lady Vols have won the last two meetings in the series, including the first meeting of the year back on Jan. 5 (80-69) in Knoxville.
• MSU’s last win against UT came on Feb. 6, 2020 in a 72-55 victory in Knoxville.
• State’s last win over UT in Starkville was Feb. 10, 2019 when MSU defeated UT 91-63.
• Mississippi State has won seven of the last 10 meetings against Tennessee.
Rim Protector
• Jessika Carter leads the SEC in blocked shots (54) and blocks per game (2.4).
• Jessika ranks 8th in the NCAA in blocked shots and 11th in blocks per game.
• She is seven blocked shots shy of setting a new career high. She had 60 during the 2019-20 season.
• In her career, she has 173 blocked shots. She is eight shy of cracking the top 3 for career blocks at MSU.
• Jessika is three blocked shots shy of tying Teaira McCowan (57, 2016-17) for 10th on the single-season blocks list at MSU. Carter’s 60 blocks during the 2019-20 season ranks ninth on the single-season list.
• She has recorded 120 defensive rebounds this season and is averaging 5.4 per game, the best mark on the team.
• Carter has also recorded 15 steals and 31 assists on the year. Her 31 assists are double her previous career high of 16 set during the 2020-21 season.
Most Wins By A First Year Head Coach at MSU
Head Coach Sam Purcell earned his 15th career win on Jan. 22 vs Kentucky. He is one win shy of having the most wins by a head coach in their first season at MSU. 15 is the record currently held by Doug Novak. No coach at MSU has ever had a winning SEC record in year one.
Mississippi State Notables
• The Bulldog’s streak of 10+ assists in 18 straight games ended at Georgia on Jan. 29. The streak was MSU’s longest since at least the 2006-07 season when they did it in 17 consecutive games. On the year, the Bulldogs have double-digit assists in 20 of their 22 games.
• Mississippi State has recorded at least one blocked shot in 32 straight games. Their last game without a blocked shot was against Missouri on Jan. 27, 2022.
Get-To-Know Tennessee
• Tennessee and head coach Kellie Harper come to Starkville on a one-game winning streak after defeating Ole Miss 65-51. Prior to their win over Ole Miss, UT lost to LSU 76-68 in Baton Rouge.
• The Lady Vols are 8-1 in the SEC this season and they are outscoring their opponents by 10 points per game (73.5 to 63.6).
• Tennessee has won all but two SEC games by more than 10 points. Only Missouri (W, 68-65) and LSU (L, 76-68) have played UT close.
• In SEC games, Rickea Jackson is averaging 20 points per game, up from the 15 points she was averaging against non-conference opponents. Jordan Horston is the only other player averaging in double-digits in SEC play at 14.3 ppg.
Up Next
Mississippi State will be on the road Thursday when they travel to Gainesville, Fla. to take on the Florida Gators. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT.
