College Hoops Countdown | #20 Mississippi State

Posted on Monday, October 26th, 2009 and is filed under CBB. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Leading up to the 2009 NIT Season Tip Off on November 16th, Pickin’ Splinters will be counting down the top 25 of the college hardwood nation.

’08 – ’09 Results: 23 – 13 (9 – 7 SEC) Lost first round of NCAA Tournament, 71 – 58 to Washington.

Coach: Rick Stansbury 208 – 155 (10 years at MSU)

Top Returners:

Jarvis Varnado – 4.7bkpg(#1 in the nation), 12.9ppg, 8.8rpg

Dee Bost – 10.9ppg, 4.3apg

Ravern Johnson – 12.1ppg, 3.1rpg

Barry Stewart – 12.4ppg, 3.4rpg

Phil Turner – 8.5ppg, 4.5 rpg

Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 11/27 vs. Richmond, 11/28 vs. Old Dominion or Missouri, 12/10 vs. DePaul, 12/12 at UCLA,

Stat of Identity: 39.3 defensive field goal percentage – Memphis was #1 with 37.1

By Paul Gotham

This NCAA season could be the Bulldogs’ oyster. MSU returns their top seven players from a team that won last year’s SEC crown. Wooden Award candidate, Jarvis Varnado needs 142 blocks to break the all-time record of 535 set by Wojceich Mydra (La. Monroe). Varnado blocked 170 shots last year.

Fans can expect the Bulldogs to increase on their 6.9 steals per game (123rd in the nation). With Varnado protecting the basket, perimeter players should be able to extend pressure.

Dee Bost had a 1.53 assist to turnover ratio. This number should also increase with a more experienced team.

Barry Stewart, Ravern Johnson, and Phil Turner combined to shoot 36% (190 / 529) from long range. The Bulldogs will look to continue spreading the floor. This should allow Varnado a chance to develop his inside game.

At 6’10″, freshman Renardo Sidney could team with Varnado to create one of the most imposing front court in the country.

MSU is part of what should be an improved SEC. Conference battles will toughen the teams for games in March.