Women's Basketball opens with Mississippi State in Starkville - University of North Alabama Athletics

Women’s Basketball opens with Mississippi State in Starkville – University of North Alabama Athletics

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North Alabama Women’s Basketball Faces SEC Powerhouse Mississippi State in Starkville

The University of North Alabama women’s basketball team travels to Starkville, Miss., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, for a matchup against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, marking the Lions’ first game of the 2026-27 season. The contest, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Humphrey Coliseum, will be broadcast on SEC Network+ and streamed via RoarLions.com, with Grant Wakefield providing play-by-play commentary. [roarlions.com reported]

This game marks an important milestone for UNA, which has never defeated Mississippi State in three previous meetings since 1978. The Bulldogs, who finished 18-13 in the 2025-26 season and advanced to the SEC Tournament, enter the matchup as clear favorites. Mississippi State’s home-court dominance is well-documented: the team has won 40 consecutive season openers at Humphrey Coliseum and holds a 50-2 record in home openers overall. [sportsmississippi.com noted]

The Historical Context: A Series of Disappointments

North Alabama’s rivalry with Mississippi State dates back to 1978, with the Bulldogs winning all six previous encounters. Their most recent meeting, on Nov. 11, 2022, ended in a 77-40 victory for MSU. The Lions’ only other game against the Bulldogs occurred in the 1978-79 season, when they lost 78-36 on the road. Despite the historical disparity, this season’s matchup carries unique stakes for UNA. [roarlions.com detailed]

This is the first time in school history that the women’s basketball program has faced three SEC schools in a single season. UNA will also play Ole Miss on Nov. 5 and Vanderbilt later in November, a scheduling shift that reflects the program’s growing ambition under new head coach Anna Nimz. [sportsmississippi.com reported]

Mississippi State’s Roster Overhaul and Recent Performance

Mississippi State enters the season with a revamped roster, returning three key players—forward Madison Francis, guard Favour Nwaedozi, and center Melissa Guillet—while adding six transfers from Division I programs. Among the newcomers are NJCAA All-Americans Tootie Lockett and Arianny Francisco de Oliveira, along with freshmen Andrea Flores and Grace Ndubueze. The Bulldogs’ 2025-26 season saw them struggle in conference play, finishing 5-11 in the SEC despite a 13-5 home record. Their only loss at Humphrey Coliseum came against No. 20 Tennessee on Jan. 8, 2026, when they fell 90-80. [sportsmississippi.com provided]

Francis, a preseason All-SEC selection, is expected to anchor the Bulldogs’ offense. Mississippi State was picked to finish ninth in the SEC Preseason Polls, a ranking that highlights the program’s uphill battle against perennial powerhouses like LSU and South Carolina. However, the team’s home-court advantage and deep roster give them a strong chance to extend their dominance over UNA. [roarlions.com noted]

North Alabama’s Rebuilding Efforts Under New Leadership

Anna Nimz, UNA’s 10th head coach, took the helm in March 2026 after a six-year tenure at Northwestern State, where she transformed a winless team into a Southland Conference contender. Her first season at UNA saw the Lions post 18 wins—their highest in a decade—and 14 conference victories, the most in 22 years. The program’s current roster features three transfers, including All-UAC Preseason Team honoree Brynn Lusby, who joins forward Amy Kurkowski and guards Joceline Geara and Ella Maclead as team captains. [roarlions.com reported]

Despite the optimism surrounding Nimz’s arrival, the Lions face a daunting challenge. North Alabama went 17-14 in 2025-26, but the team lost all five starters from that season. The Lions’ most recent game against Mississippi State, in 2022, ended in a 37-point deficit, emphasizing the gap between the programs. However, the addition of Lusby and other transfers has injected new energy into the program, and fans hope this season will mark a turning point. [sportsmississippi.com noted]

The Human and Economic Stakes: A Community Under the Spotlight

For North Alabama, a university in a small town, the matchup against an SEC powerhouse is a rare opportunity to gain national exposure. Local businesses in Florence, Ala., often see a surge in traffic during high-profile games, and the university’s athletic department has partnered with regional sponsors to promote the event. [roarlions.com reported]

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL | Sam Purcell SEC Tipoff '27 – 10/14/26

The matchup also highlights the growing competitiveness of mid-major programs like UNA, which are increasingly challenging traditional powerhouses through strategic scheduling and coaching hires. [sportsmississippi.com noted]

The Devil’s Advocate: Can North Alabama Break the Curse?

While Mississippi State’s historical dominance is undeniable, the Lions have lost all six previous meetings against the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs To Open 53rd Season Against North Alabama
Photo: sportsmississippi.com

Despite their home-court advantage, Mississippi State’s 2025-26 season revealed vulnerabilities, particularly in conference play. The team’s 5-11 SEC record and reliance on a handful of players could leave them vulnerable to an aggressive, well-prepared UNA squad. [roarlions.com noted]

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