Mississippi State Prepares for Tough NCAA Matchup Against USC

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) — Mississippi State’s women’s basketball team is gearing up for a challenging second-round matchup against top-seeded Southern California in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The game is set for Monday night at the Galen Center, with the winner advancing to the regional semifinals in Spokane, Washington.

Sam Purcell, Mississippi State’s head coach, is motivated by the underdog narrative, affirming his team’s grit as they enter the contest. “We’re a speed bump that happens to be here, and we’re going to find a way to make it as tough a competition as we can,” he stated on Sunday.

The Trojans (29-3), led by standout sophomore JuJu Watkins, won convincingly in their first playoff game, defeating UNC-Greensboro 71-25, where Watkins scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds. “Honestly, it’s going to be really fun playing against a player like her who has worked on her game so much,” said Mississippi State guard Chandler Prater.

Mississippi State (21-11) hopes to leverage a solid defensive strategy to combat the Trojans. The team’s defensive capabilities were emphasized as crucial by Prater and fellow guard Jerkaila Jordan. “Defense is going to keep us in this game,” Jordan assured, indicating the Bulldogs would focus on creating offense through their defensive mindset.

In their first playoff match, Mississippi State emerged victorious against California, winning 59-46, with standout performances from 6-foot-6 center Madina Okot, who contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds. This challenging encounter is expected to push both teams to their limits.

USC poured on pressure against the Spartans in their opening game, forced by their “Mad Dog Press,” a strategy devised by assistant coach Beth Burns. This aggressive defense proved effective, leading to 23 turnovers by UNC-Greensboro. Freshman Avery Howell remarked, “Whoever the dog is in the front, most of the time it’s Rayah, just brings it.”

With a high-stakes atmosphere surrounding this matchup, both teams are brimming with confidence and intention. Purcell has directed his Bulldogs to exploit every opportunity, stating, “If we can have the mindset that we’re going to get our shot blocked and understand that I need to bounce back to still come at them, then we’ll have a fighter’s chance.”

Mississippi State’s hopes also extend beyond X’s and O’s. Guard Jerkaila Jordan has ventured into entrepreneurial territory, launching “Jerk Sauce,” coinciding with the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in women’s sports. The sauce, developed with former NFL player Reggie Kelly’s firm, has gained popularity among fans, selling out in under a day. “Not only does she approve it, but it actually tastes good. I am proud of her and just proud of people in Mississippi invested in women’s basketball,” Purcell commented on Jordan’s success.

With the game looming, the anticipation is palpable. Fans, analysts, and players alike are eager to witness how the fierce matchup unfolds as Mississippi State vies for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen.