About Mississippi State University Bulldogs Women's Basketball
When you think about Mississippi State's women's basketball team, the first thing that comes to mind is "the streak." In the 2017 Final Four, the Bulldogs became the first team to beat the University of Connecticut Huskies in a record 111 games.
It's arguably the most famous women's basketball game of the decade and the moment when the Bulldogs officially arrived on the national stage. Though the Bulldogs didn't win the national title that year (they fell to South Carolina in the national championship game), beating UConn at their most unbeatable put them in the conversation for one of the greatest sports upsets ever.
The Bulldogs weren't done there, either. The following season, they made the national championship game again and faced the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who themselves had just beaten UConn in the national semifinals. Unfortunately for Mississippi State, they would fall again in the title game, but back-to-back runner-up finishes are nothing to scoff at.
For a program that had never advanced past the Sweet 16 before 2017, making that leap while toppling one of the sport's most dominant dynasties elevated Mississippi State to the elite tier of women's college basketball.
Part of that comes from the coach currently leading the Bulldogs, Vic Schaefer. Schaefer has built them into a powerhouse since making the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Through 15 games in the 2018-2019 season, the Bulldogs have a 14-1 record and are looking to be one of the best teams in the country once again.
Although two of the best players in program history — All-Americans Victoria Vivians and Morgan William — graduated in 2018, it only takes a few good recruiting classes to make a school into a perennial contender. Mississippi State has gained power through talent and clutch performances, and now they're here to stay.
