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Lady ’Dogs prepping for opponents’ best |
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Wednesday, 04 November 2009 |
By DAVID MILLER
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Expecting depth to be a strength of the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs this season, head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis made it a point to stress that her team’s bench and rotations haven’t taken shape like she’s wanted it to.
Speaking to reporters at Tuesday’s preseason press conference, Fanning-Otis noted Sunday’s scrimmage against Delta State and the results of the first action her players have seen against competition other than themselves.
The MSU coach admitted that the number of rotations in the first half might have gotten the team out of sync, but as the second half wore on and rotations started to solidify the team picked it up and increased its offensive output. Still, Fanning-Otis didn’t have a high grade for her team coming off its first scrimmage.
“We talked about the depth of the team, but I didn’t see the numbers off the bench that we have to have,” Fanning-Otis said. “You saw a big difference with your five returning players on the court. But players found a way to help us, whether it was in steals or rebounding, even if they didn’t have a good night offensively.”
Fanning-Otis and the Lady Bulldogs won’t have the same type of early-season slate as they did last year, with a trip to the Virgin Islands-hosted Paradise Jam pitting the team picked third in the Southeastern Conference coaches poll against the likes of Texas, Rutgers and USC. Plus, the Lady Bulldogs host Maryland just four days before opening up the Paradise Jam against Texas on Nov. 26.
The acclimation period will be shorter than what the team experienced last year before getting to the more competitive part of its schedule, and that’s the main reason for Fanning-Otis’ urge to get her squad operating at a championship level before the regular season starts.
State had starters Armelie Lumanu and Chanel Mokango to integrate into the lineup following a transfer from junior college last year, and guard Marneshia Richard’s status was up in the air following micro-fracture surgery. Questions surrounded the Bulldogs lineup entering last season, but there’s more certainty this time with the core of the team’s scoring back after a second-round NCAA tournament appearance.
Starting shooting guard and All-SEC selection Alexis Rack wants to avoid a slow start like the team had last year, due in part to the experience on this year’s squad.
“We’re expecting to come out harder from the beginning because last year I feel we started out pretty slow,” Rack said. “We want to get better every game, but we want to start off playing harder. We have the capabilities of being a top team in the SEC, we just have to prove ourselves.”
State returns a talented backcourt with Rack and Lumanu, who was a first team All-SEC defender last season, but with the loss of Richard for a second straight year the explosiveness and plans the team had for its stable of guards has brought about changes to other positions on the floor.
Tysheka Grimes, who mainly saw action at the small forward spot last season, will see more time at the four this season while Lumanu will have more point guard responsibility this season. Junior Mary Kathryn Govero could possibly see time in the front court, as the Lady Bulldogs will lean on the versatility of their guards this season to fill any roster voids.
“I’ve been practicing at a 4 a lot this year,” Grimes said. “Coach Fanning, we’ve had conversations where I’ve had to step up and come in wherever the team needed me. This year, I’m real comfortable though I still have things to learn. Basically, I’ve just had to get stronger and tougher. I feel very, very positive this year. In high school, I know it’s different, but I played the post and when I first got here I thought that would be my position.”
State’s players don’t seem to mind position changes and the challenges it entails, but Richard’s injury is more than just a a blow to the roster. The elder-statesman of the Lady Bulldogs camp is a tremendous motivator and well of knowledge for her teammates. Grimes said the loss of Richard is disappointing because of how hard the latter worked to get back from her second major surgery of her career, but she is quick to lean on her friend for advice and things she may notice from the sideline.
“I would first like to say how good of a person and athlete she is,” Grimes said. “She is still a leader on this team. I asked her after the scrimmage what she saw and she gave me pointers. We’re going to miss her presence out on the court.”
Fanning-Otis said no decision has been made on Richard applying for a second medical redshirt. Richard will earn her masters degree in December.
As the team was faced with Richard’s absence last season, Fanning-Otis is keen to see her players step up and fill the void.
“You find out what you’re made of when someone has an injury,” the coach said.
Without forwards Robin Porter and Donnisha Tate, en extra emphasis will be placed in the front court, where All-SEC defender Mokango has added 10 pounds in preparation for the physicality she’ll face this season. Mokango’s game was finesse-based last year, as her outside shot and turnaround jumper became a staple of her game. She hopes to do more damage in the post this season, especially with the power forward spot to be occupied by different types of players at different times.
“This summer, we worked hard, lift and drills, so I get better,” Mokango said. “Last year, we (JUCO transfers Lumanu, Mokango and Rima Kolanda) didn’t come in the summer. It was kind of hard for us because we didn’t lift like that in junior college. I gained weight (10 pounds) — I don’t usually gain weight like that.
“We’re going to play with big posts, and I need to be more physical. I’m not going to being playing outside as much, I’ll be inside doing more post moves.”
State’s final tuneup before regular season play comes this Sunday against Monticello, and Fanning-Otis hopes to see her side play efficiently from front to back.
“I can’t think of one area where we don’t need to improve,” she said. “Overall, let’s see how we progress this week. I expect us to play harder and prepare harder.”
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 07 November 2009 )
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