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2017 Women’s NCAA Tournament: South Carolina vs. Mississippi State preview, prediction, TV schedule

By Daniel Benjamin

Mar 31, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs guard Morgan William (2) shoots the game winning shot in overtime against Connecticut Huskies guard Gabby Williams (15) in the semifinals of the women's Final Four at American Airlines Center. The Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs defeated the Connecticut Huskies 66-64. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs guard Morgan William (2) shoots the game winning shot in overtime against Connecticut Huskies guard Gabby Williams (15) in the semifinals of the women's Final Four at American Airlines Center. The Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs defeated the Connecticut Huskies 66-64. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 31, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks forward A’ja Wilson (22) pulls down a rebound against Stanford Cardinal forward Erica McCall (24) in the fourth quarter in the semifinals of the women’s Final Four at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks forward A’ja Wilson (22) pulls down a rebound against Stanford Cardinal forward Erica McCall (24) in the fourth quarter in the semifinals of the women’s Final Four at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

About The Teams

This is the third meeting between the clubs this year. South Carolina has won both of the previous games.

South Carolina overcame a seven-point halftime deficit to win the first matchup 64-61 in Columbia. Allisha Gray scored 16 of her 17 points in the second half, and A’ja Wilson put in 26 points. The Gamecocks then defeated the Bulldogs 59-49 in the SEC championship game as Kaela Davis poured in 23 points.

South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina is in the NCAA Tournament for a sixth straight season and 14th time overall. This is the Gamecocks’ second Final Four appearance in the last three years.

Coach Dawn Staley has turned the Gamecocks into one of the elite women’s programs over her eight-year tenure, posting a 220-80 record in nine years. Staley has led the Gamecocks to five consecutive SEC regular season titles and four straight tournament crowns. Under Staley’s reign, USC has reached the Sweet 16 five times and Elite Eight on three occasions.

South Carolina, the No. 1 seed in the Stockton Region, enters the 2017 national championship game on a 10-game winning streak. USC has come back from double-digit deficits in two of their five NCAA Tournament games. The Gamecocks have defeated Florida State, Quinnipiac, Arizona State, and UNC-Asheville in the tournament. The Gamecocks are 11-1 against ranked teams this year.

South Carolina was dealt a blow when star center Alaina Coates was declared unable to go in the NCAA Tournament due to an ankle injury. Coates was the Gamecocks’ main throw-post scoring threat and an excellent rim protector. The 6-5 senor averaged a double-double (12.9 ppg, 10.7 rpg) for the season and led the team in field goal percentage and rebounds.

Even without Coates, the Gamecocks have a lot of star power with Wilson and Gray, along with Kaela Davis stepping up. Wilson is one of the best women’s college players in the country, leading the team in scoring (17.9 ppg) and blocks (83).

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State is having a historical season. The Bulldogs are in the NCAA Tournament for a program record third consecutive year. The Bulldogs have set numerous program records this year. This season marked the third time the Bulldogs have reached the Sweet 16 and their first Elite Eight appearance.

Like what Staley’s done with South Carolina, Vic Schaefer has rejuvenated the Bulldogs’ program. Miss State has improved its win total every under Schaeffer since he took over the program prior to the start of the 2012-13 campaign. The 56-year old has compiled a 124-49 overall record and four postseason appearances in five years.

Miss State finished ranked No. 7 in the AP poll and was second in the SEC during the regular season.  The Bulldogs have five in a row and 7 of 10. The Bulldogs have faced competition in the NCAA Tournament, defeating Baylor,  Washington, DePaul as well as Troy. They are 4-3 against ranked teams. Miss State entered the Tournament as the No. 2 seed in the Oklahoma City Region.

Victoria Vivians and Morgan William lead the way for the Bulldogs. Vivians leads the team with 16.3 points a game, while William is the only other player who scores in double figures with 10.9.

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