What to know about CSU women's basketball team ahead of key matchup vs. Mississippi State
It's the biggest nonconference game of the season.
The Colorado State women's basketball team hosts Mississippi State at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Moby Arena.
It's a battle of the 9-1 Rams and 11-2 Bulldogs and the first time CSU has hosted an SEC team at Moby.
Here's a look at what to know about the teams and the matchup.
Mississippi State is a big test
Mississippi State is a big challenge and big opportunity for the Rams. The Bulldogs made the NCAA Tournament last season, winning a first-four game and notching an upset win in a first round game before falling in the second round.
They have a NET ranking of 36 entering the game and have 12 NCAA Tournament appearances all time.
Mississippi State is receiving votes in the Associated Press top-25 poll.
Senior guard Jerkaila Jordan averages 17.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Jessika Carter, a 6-foot-5 center, averages 15.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Lauren Park-Lane averages nine points and 6.3 assists per game.
CSU's resume so far
CSU suffered its first loss of the season in a 77-76 heartbreaker at Long Beach State last week, but responded the next day with a tight win over UC-Irvine.
The Rams currently have a NET ranking of 55, which would likely be on the outer edges of a NCAA Tournament bubble.
Wins over UC-Irvine (122) and Montana (125) are currently top-125 NET wins, but no other wins are currently in the top 200. That makes Wednesday's matchup a prime chance for a marquee win.
The teams met in Starkville last season, a 71-66 win for Mississippi State. Wednesday's game is also CSU's last nonconference game before beginning Mountain West play.
McKenna Hofschild's All-American campaign
CSU's star point guard has been as good or even better than advertised so far.
McKenna Hofschild is currently 12th in Division I at 21.8 points per game and first at 8.4 assists per game. Her assist average is more than a half-assist better than No. 2. She's ninth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Hofschild is tied for 13th in the nation in 3-point percentage (50%).
She is the all-time assist leader in CSU women's basketball history and recently moved into fourth on the all-time scoring list.
Tickets
Tickets for Wednesday's game are available for purchase online at CSURams.com/tickets. Tickets are available for less than $10.
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on Twitter and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: What to know about Colorado State women's basketball team ahead of key matchup vs. Mississippi State
