How Gabe Lazo added to Mississippi State basketball's March Madness 'talk to me nice' list

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Sam Purcell says March Madness is like Christmas for those in his shoes. With so many holidays and gymnastics meets missed, the NCAA Tournament serves as a reminder of the reward for those sacrifices.

And like Santa Claus, Purcell is making a list. He calls it the, “talk to me nice” list in which he doesn’t shy away from calling out those who didn’t pick 11-seed Mississippi State to advance past the First Four. MSU (22-10) did so Wednesday against Illinois and is now headed to the second round after beating 6-seed Creighton 81-66 on Friday at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion.

The list includes basketball stars A’ja Wilson and Candace Parker, ESPN bracketologist Charlie Creme and presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama.

The list is sure to grow with MSU’s upset win, and that’s thanks to Purcell’s staff − highlighted by assistant coach Gabe Lazo. With each game, Purcell assigns a lead scout. It’s on that coach to jump ahead and look at a future opponent, which is Lazo’s case was Creighton.

The main focus: Tendencies. Find what Creighton likes to do. Find what could irritate the Bluejays. Find a way to slow down a team shooting nearly 37% from 3-point range.

“Our defensive focus today had to be at a place that we’ve never had it before,” Lazo told the Clarion Ledger. “Preparing for a team like this that plays five out − they don’t run a scripted offense, so it’s difficult to prepare for because we don’t run this type of offense. In this SEC, there’s not many teams − maybe Missouri is the closest team to running this type of an offensive system.”

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Lazo knew Creighton (22-9) would find open looks, but he felt there was a way to still make those difficult. Mississippi State wanted to wear down its opponent and force fatigue and uncertainty to play a part.

Perhaps the best defense for MSU was Creighton missing seven of its first eight 3-point attempts and Mississippi State making eight of its first 11.

“When the ball is not going in, those shots become a little bit more nerve-wracking,” Lazo said. “We were ahead the whole game. When you’re playing from behind, it’s a little different than when you’re playing with a lead.”

Creighton coach Jim Flanery admitted that with a lineup full of players who can stretch the floor, Mississippi State forward Jessika Carter could be exposed. With Carter’s paint presence (2.1 blocks per game), he felt forcing her toward the perimeter could give the Bluejays an edge.

“We challenged Jess,” Lazo said. “We challenged all our post players, and they definitely responded.”

Lazo says he’s lost track of his scouts this season, but he knows the only one he’s lost came against No. 1 South Carolina on Jan. 8. The Bulldogs were one of five teams within single digits of the Gamecocks.

Lazo’s intensity for his scouts translates to his fire on the sideline, though it was nearly costly against Creighton. With 2:30 to go in the second quarter, he came too far onto the court during play. Lazo says he noticed confusion from his team on a couple defensive possessions, so he wanted it addressed.

An official told Lazo to get back on the bench. Lazo didn’t hear, so the official gave MSU’s bench a warning. Purcell nudged Lazo back toward his seat and told him he’d be walking back to the hotel if he got a technical.

“Sam fired me,” Lazo joked. “He fired me. Then, he fired me again. Then, he re-hired me.”

The full attention shifts toward Sunday where a trip to the Sweet 16 awaits if Mississippi State can upset 3-seed Notre Dame (26-5). It’s a game the Bulldogs can plan for because of a properly-executed scout.

“To compete this hard and give that effort,” Lazo said, “any coach in the world would be super happy and proud of them.”

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Inside the scout for Mississippi State basketball's March Madness upset