Nothing new that we don't know yet. Good read, nevertheless.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/notebook?page=notebook/shootaround/sec
State-related stuff below:
4. Fearsome Frontcourt: Renardo Sidney <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">was cleared to be admitted academically to Mississippi State (center</span> John Riek<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">was also cleared to play, even though he will have to miss the first nine games). But the case of Sidney's amateur status could drag on for quite some time. The Bulldogs are the favorite to win the SEC West with or without Sidney. But he clearly makes them better with his ability to rebound and ease the burden on</span> Jarvis Varnado<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, who returned from the NBA draft pool and contributed on the defensive end at the World University Games. He then opted to be a nonscholarship player for the Bulldogs so they could fill the 13 scholarships.</span>
Dee Bost, Mississippi State: Coach Rick Stansbury doesn't hesitate talking up Bost. He touted him over the summer as one of the top guards in the SEC. The freshman averaged 10.9 points, 4.3 assists and 2.8 turnovers a game last season. He made 71.8 percent of his free throws. If those numbers can be duplicated on a more experienced and talented team, the Bulldogs should be primed for a potential SEC West title.
Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State: Sidney can pass, dribble and knock down perimeter jumpers like a small forward. He has good touch around the basket but must add to his power game and not settle for jumpers. He is a decent area rebounder but his size and skill put him at an elite level. When motivated, Sidney can have some unstoppable stretches in games.
• Mississippi State vs. UCLA, Dec. 12 (Wooden Classic): Under normal circumstances, the Bulldogs shouldn't be expected to go across the country to Anaheim and win this game. But Mississippi State should be the higher-ranked, deeper and tougher-to-score-on team than the Bruins. If the Bulldogs lose against a rebuilding UCLA it might raise more questions about the mental strength of Mississippi State going forward.
Mississippi State
Starkville isn't exactly Las Vegas or New York, but the Bulldogs seem to generate plenty of news. The eligibility of Renardo Sidney continues to be a major story. Getting 7-2 John Riek eligible after he declared for the draft, went to Cincinnati, had knee surgery and found his way to Starkville was another story. Riek can play, but the big man will have to sit the first nine games. Jarvis Varnado, who declared for the draft, then returned, should easily become the NCAA's all-time leader in blocks. And if the rest of the role players are as good as Rick Stansbury promotes, the Bulldogs should be a top-15 team throughout the season.
1. Mississippi State: When the discussion begins about who is the best defender in college basketball this season, Jarvis Varnado's name will come up early in the conversation. If his offensive game were at the level of his D, he'd likely be in the NBA right now. Fortunately for Rick Stansbury, Varnado is back, along with four other starters. The X factor for the Bulldogs is the NCAA eligibility of mega-talented freshman Renardo Sidney, who would be a force inside and make the Bulldogs a co-favorite with Kentucky to win the SEC.
PS: <div id="result_box" dir="ltr"> Entschuldigung, wenn Deutsch </div>
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/notebook?page=notebook/shootaround/sec
State-related stuff below:
4. Fearsome Frontcourt: Renardo Sidney <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">was cleared to be admitted academically to Mississippi State (center</span> John Riek<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">was also cleared to play, even though he will have to miss the first nine games). But the case of Sidney's amateur status could drag on for quite some time. The Bulldogs are the favorite to win the SEC West with or without Sidney. But he clearly makes them better with his ability to rebound and ease the burden on</span> Jarvis Varnado<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, who returned from the NBA draft pool and contributed on the defensive end at the World University Games. He then opted to be a nonscholarship player for the Bulldogs so they could fill the 13 scholarships.</span>
Dee Bost, Mississippi State: Coach Rick Stansbury doesn't hesitate talking up Bost. He touted him over the summer as one of the top guards in the SEC. The freshman averaged 10.9 points, 4.3 assists and 2.8 turnovers a game last season. He made 71.8 percent of his free throws. If those numbers can be duplicated on a more experienced and talented team, the Bulldogs should be primed for a potential SEC West title.
Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State: Sidney can pass, dribble and knock down perimeter jumpers like a small forward. He has good touch around the basket but must add to his power game and not settle for jumpers. He is a decent area rebounder but his size and skill put him at an elite level. When motivated, Sidney can have some unstoppable stretches in games.
• Mississippi State vs. UCLA, Dec. 12 (Wooden Classic): Under normal circumstances, the Bulldogs shouldn't be expected to go across the country to Anaheim and win this game. But Mississippi State should be the higher-ranked, deeper and tougher-to-score-on team than the Bruins. If the Bulldogs lose against a rebuilding UCLA it might raise more questions about the mental strength of Mississippi State going forward.
Mississippi State
Starkville isn't exactly Las Vegas or New York, but the Bulldogs seem to generate plenty of news. The eligibility of Renardo Sidney continues to be a major story. Getting 7-2 John Riek eligible after he declared for the draft, went to Cincinnati, had knee surgery and found his way to Starkville was another story. Riek can play, but the big man will have to sit the first nine games. Jarvis Varnado, who declared for the draft, then returned, should easily become the NCAA's all-time leader in blocks. And if the rest of the role players are as good as Rick Stansbury promotes, the Bulldogs should be a top-15 team throughout the season.
1. Mississippi State: When the discussion begins about who is the best defender in college basketball this season, Jarvis Varnado's name will come up early in the conversation. If his offensive game were at the level of his D, he'd likely be in the NBA right now. Fortunately for Rick Stansbury, Varnado is back, along with four other starters. The X factor for the Bulldogs is the NCAA eligibility of mega-talented freshman Renardo Sidney, who would be a force inside and make the Bulldogs a co-favorite with Kentucky to win the SEC.
PS: <div id="result_box" dir="ltr"> Entschuldigung, wenn Deutsch </div>
