• Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said Renardo Sidney, who is awaiting clearance from the NCAA Eligibility Center on his amateur status, has been able to practice in individual workouts. Stansbury said Sidney needs to get in shape and "toughen up." But the skill set is in place. John Riek is also working on his conditioning, getting his slender frame up to 245-250 pounds, according to Stansbury. Riek, a one-time NBA draft entrant and Cincinnati recruit, has been a tease but unable to deliver for two years. He should be ready to play once he sits out the first nine games of the season, per an NCAA decision. "He's got size and a work ethic that you can't teach,'' Stansbury said.