Men's Basketball SEC Tourney Game 1 - MSU V Florida

[Lord McBuckethead]

Had to get this started before someone else started one.
I have dawgs 57-52 winning this thing. Let's get it done.

[msstate7]

Line is state -5 now after opening -2 last night

[Lord McBuckethead]

Just a heads up on the breakdown.

UF is without their best player in big man Castle-seomething another
Our line moved from -2 to -5 this morning.

Got to just play our game and move the basketball and don't settle for open 3s when we can drive the basketball.

[ZedFedder]

Win and get in. Let?s get it.

[gtowndawg]

Come on boys, we need this. We'll be watching!

[RLM38654]

The gators are shooting the lights out

[trob115]

So far we aren't playing great defensively. Up 13-12 at the 14 minute mark.

[Leroy Jenkins]

One thing I've been watching. Jans said our scoring percentage on a possession when we have a ball reversal and a paint touch is remarkable. I'm curious to see if we do it more often.

[msstate7]

What's going on with our defense?
SC shot 44.2%
Vandy shot 49.1%
Florida over 50 so far

Our opponents are usually in the high 30s

[ZedFedder]

Defense hasn?t been as solid last few games. I wonder if opposing teams have picked up on something.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Yeah, their players are just taking open shots when they have them and hitting them.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Up 12 with 4:54 left in the 1st half.

[RLM38654]

Eric Paul Pierce Reed just hit the top of the backboard with a missed 3. Holly Molly

[Lord McBuckethead]

Up 13 with 2:05 left

[Lord McBuckethead]

Ref just bailed out the florida guy taking 4 steps to the lane.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Wow, we needed to burn some clock on that possession and they just straight tripped Tolu to get him to the line.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Up 14 with 1:21 left.

[Goldendawg]

Eric Paul Pierce Reed just hit the top of the backboard with a missed 3. Holly Molly

McNair has taken and missed two threes, ( one desperation) at the end of the clock. Missed both and is hurting his 17% shooting average.**

[Lord McBuckethead]

Halftime - MSU 36 UF 26 up 10.

[Goldendawg]

Halftime - MSU 36 UF 26 up 10.

We got very sloppy on O the last 3 minutes.

[PGHBulldogBG]

I know it won’t be easy because it never is, but we just need to hold on. The first 10-12 minutes of the second half is traditionally our worst. We can’t have a slump like some other games. Sounds like if we win then we pretty much should be in the dance barring 3 or 4 crazy conference tournament upsets

[R2Dawg]

Last 5 minutes we sucked. Glad we played well before that.

We got to get our heads in game the second half.

[Goldendawg]

Last 5 minutes we sucked. Glad we played well before that.

We got to get our heads in game the second half.

Too many substitutions disrupted the offensive flow, as usual. JMO.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Really squandered an opportunity in the last 6-7 minutes to put this thing to bed early, but good to still be up 10. Our D has been elite. Also, we need to stop falling for the 5,4,3,2,1 crap from their band. Damn we fell for it 4 times in 1st half.

[PMDawg]

Well, looks like Rutgers is about to punch a ticket. Not sure that hurts too bad. We control our own destiny, so hopefully we finish this game out with a win.

[RLM38654]

We got very sloppy on O the last 3 minutes.

They don't close halfs out very well. TCU , at Bama on top of my head but like where they are. Just gotta get a handle on the rock. Too many unforced turnovers in the first half.

[RLM38654]

Really squandered an opportunity in the last 6-7 minutes to put this thing to bed early, but good to still be up 10. Our D has been elite. Also, we need to stop falling for the 5,4,3,2,1 crap from their band. Damn we fell for it 4 times in 1st half.

Couldn't believe DJ fell for that.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Well, looks like Rutgers is about to punch a ticket. Not sure that hurts too bad. We control our own destiny, so hopefully we finish this game out with a win.

I don't believe any team jumps us as long as we win. I didn't realize how weak the bubble was until the last week or so. This is possibly the weakest I've ever seen the bubble. It seemed strong until you realized that it was mostly made up of teams that needed to go on runs or Mid Majors. Thankfully for us, most of the teams that needed to go on runs haven't and the mid majors that would've been on the bubble won their conference tournaments.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Couldn't believe DJ fell for that.


DJ and McNair both fell for it. McNair had 3 seconds left when he jacked up that 28 footer that he airballed.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Davis just drove to the basket and tried to pass it off to Tolu.... Just take the damn shot. Now UF takes the ball, gets an easy bucket with the foul.

[R2Dawg]

Davis with a horrible TO

[R2Dawg]

We letting this crap team back in it.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Tolu gets to the line, but misses both. damn.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Jeffries blows past his guy, just to drop it out of bounds. Dang. Guys make the easy plays.

[Lord McBuckethead]

I don't think we have made a bucket since I have been watching.

I have stopped watching. Everyone is welcome.

[R2Dawg]

We are just make stupid pass after stupid pass. Where is our head?

[StarkVegasSteve]

We need to wake up. 3 TOs and 1-4 from the FT line so far in the half.

[R2Dawg]

Dang FT are going to keep us out of tourney

[BullDog]

This **** is exhausting

[R2Dawg]

We couldn't make 5 of 10 on layup drill

[BullDog]

This **** is exhausting

we suck

[Lord McBuckethead]

Couldn't stay away from it. They are now within 4 pts.

[R2Dawg]

We look like complete trash

[HoopsDawg]

Too much Tolu this half. Shak and Davis have to take the shot if it's open. Also, what's up with Cam today?

[CJDAWG85]

How the 17 do we just forget how to shoot?

[RLM38654]

No offense, too many missed layups, too missed 5 ft shots. 2 point game

[PGHBulldogBG]

This why we are a 9 seed. We don’t have the shooting to be a very good team. The defense this year was great, but you can’t shoot this poorly and expect to make the tournament. I think they said there has not been a team shoot this bad from outside and make the tournament

[Lord McBuckethead]

Someone take it to the rim. Damn. Down 1.

[ZedFedder]

Sheeeeeeesh.

[CaptainObvious]

What the heck. Did they just go in at half and smoke a little dope and forget they had another half to play? Good grief they are an aggravating bunch.

[PMDawg]

Lol. A 13 point lead turns to a 1 point deficit. These guys....

[HoopsDawg]

We can't make layups

[msstate7]

We've had 2 chances to punch our ticket against team we've been favored against that are missing their best player. If we don't get it done today, we don't deserve to make it. These losses are why howland isn't here...

[Lord McBuckethead]

Down 3. Up 13 with 2 minutes in the first half, now down 3 with 14 left in the second.
WTF. Come on fellas.

[R2Dawg]

We playing to lose and are going to lose.

[RLM38654]

Unbelievable.

[Lord McBuckethead]

This why we are a 9 seed. We don’t have the shooting to be a very good team. The defense this year was great, but you can’t shoot this poorly and expect to make the tournament. I think they said there has not been a team shoot this bad from outside and make the tournament

Heck, layups are not falling. Easily made layups.

[CaptainObvious]

Put the best 5 on the floor for the last 13 minutes and don?t take them out unless they foul out. They are the ones that GM have to win it.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Our offense has gone into a stall. We have no action. Shak was being aggressive early on and now is not even looking for a shot.

[NCDawg]

Missed 18 out of 20 shots. Not very good.

[CaptainObvious]

This lineup sucks

[StarkVegasSteve]

And three of our last twenty two. It's actually hard to be that bad.

[R2Dawg]

Clear the dam bench and send a message. Then ask the main group if they want to go to dance or not. Then put them back in. Unreal

[Lord McBuckethead]

Stevenson pulling up and shooting with vigor. Now we need a turnover.

[RocketDawg]

Gave us a very good lead. They started looking bad right before the half ended.

[RLM38654]

Stevenson only offense so far in the 2nd. That won't last.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Why is Tolu out?

[R2Dawg]

We are letting the worst team in SEC make us not even look NIT worthy

[Goldendawg]

This why we are a 9 seed. We don?t have the shooting to be a very good team. The defense this year was great, but you can?t shoot this poorly and expect to make the tournament. I think they said there has not been a team shoot this bad from outside and make the tournament

Said earlier that we are the worse 3 point shooting team in the nation.

[RLM38654]

We never get and ones

[StarkVegasSteve]

Will someone tell Cam Matthews to wake up. He's not even moving on offense.

[R2Dawg]

We are 6-11 and can't make a shot under goal.

[R2Dawg]

Time to play with hair on fire. Do or die now.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Tolu is going to have to find that 4 minute stretch he found against Vandy and he's going to have to play like that for that for the remainder of the season.

[Goldendawg]

Unbelievable.

No, very believable.

[R2Dawg]

We aren't playing D now either.

[msstate7]

Cam hasn't scored since the South Carolina game.

[HoopsDawg]

Cam with 4 turnovers and 0 points. He can't get into the flow.

[RLM38654]

Said earlier that we are the worse 3 point shooting team in the nation.

Also said no team that shoots as bad as we do from 3 has made the tournament since 2005.

[Goldendawg]

This lineup sucks

Many of our lineups have the entire year, especially if his boy Reed is on the floor. Has Cam even scored the last two games?

[HoopsDawg]

Brutal misses from Tolu and DJ

[msstate7]

Hasnt Florida scored out of every TO?

[msstate7]

Miss state basketball isn't for the sober

[BullDog]

AWFUL

[PMDawg]

I've never seen a player above Jr. High basketball that misses as many layups as Tolu. When you combine that with a 51% FT rate, it's truly amazing that he averages double digit ppg. It's an enigma.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Many of our lineups have the entire year, especially if his boy Reed is on the floor. Has Cam even scored the last two games?


We don't have 5 players right now that I'm comfortable playing. We don't have a crunch time lineup. I thought we did 2 weeks ago but now.....NOPE

[RLM38654]

Miss state basketball isn't for the sober

I Need a Coors right now

[Goldendawg]

I've never seen a player above Jr. High basketball that misses as many layups as Tolu. When you combine that with a 51% FT rate, it's truly amazing that he averages double digit ppg. It's an enigma.

Weakest 6'11" player that I have ever seen. Plays a finesse game. Seldom goes up strong for a dunk.

[RLM38654]

Again, never can get an And one

[gtowndawg]

Wekest 6'11" player that I have ever seen. Plays a finesse game. Seldom goes up strong for a duck.

100%

[gtowndawg]

If we blow this it will be a classic M-State kick to the nuts.

[HoopsDawg]

I like the Jones for DJ move.

[StarkVegasSteve]

GRAB THE F'N BALL WITH TWO MF HANDS.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Why is ESPN using our dog standing over the Banner MState as our logo?

[State82]

3 17ing shots!

[Lord McBuckethead]

Terrible offensive possession. How do we allow them to trap us on every single pass?

[msstate7]

If MBK played 5 games a week, I think I would be dead or a stroke in 2 years

[civildawg]

I?m so glad I?m not able to watch this game

[StarkVegasSteve]

If MBK played 5 games a week, I think I would be dead or a stroke in 2 years

I give myself 3 months

[Lord McBuckethead]

Why the heck is Tolu out of the game with 57 seconds left?

[Lord McBuckethead]

Got to get a clean look here. Tie game now.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Well shit

[GoDawgz]

They just always seem to go down against State!

[Lord McBuckethead]

If I were Florida, I would trap hard on the inbound pass.
If I were MSU, I would get the ball down court and let Tolu work one on one as fast as possible.

Tolu needs to be on the court for defense. WE need his rebounding.

[Lord McBuckethead]

How is the guy falling down not a travel?

nevermind, he lost control of the ball before.

[RocketDawg]

OT but that Florida shot was very close to going in.

[msstate7]

We deserve what we get

[GoDawgz]

2 inches short....

[RLM38654]

I can't take 5 more minutes of this

[StarkVegasSteve]

Our last 3 possessions were dogshit

[State82]

We're damn lucky that our asses aren't already beat.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Davis had a terrible look after a weird spin move. None of that necessary. Just get to an open spot and take a shot.

[StarkVegasSteve]

We deserve what we get

And that is to lose and not make the Tournament

[Lord McBuckethead]

The first 4 total possessions will dictate the OT period. WE need to go 2-2 and they need to go 0-2. Get it done fellas.

[HoopsDawg]

Our last 3 possessions were dogshit

I mean Davis had a point blank look.

[PGHBulldogBG]

This has been an awful game whether we win or lose. I am kind of at a loss for words how bad that last minute and a half was

[Goldendawg]

If this is an NCAA team there is a very poor field this year. If we lose this, we are 8-11 in the SEC with five of the wins over mighty OM, SC, and LSU. Pitiful.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Tolu gets us to 1-1 for the first possession with a free throw coming.

[RLM38654]

And one

[99jc]

If this is an NCAA team there is a very poor field this year. If we lose this, we are 8-11 in the SEC with five of the wins over mighty OM, SC, and LSU. Pitiful.

if we lose 17 this team and let them sit at the house.

[Bothrops]

We like overtime

[Lord McBuckethead]

UF bricks one. we find a cutting mathews. 2-2 with a free throw to start the OT.

[R2Dawg]

Pressure of this game has got to us. That really affects your shooting and we are already not good shooting.

This is not us when we play relaxed and confident.

[GoDawgz]

Big bucket by Matthews!

[Lord McBuckethead]

Absolutely terrible foul by Davis there. Wow. That was bad.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Jones just posterized that UF guy. Damn.

[GoDawgz]

Jones just jumped out of the gym!

[RLM38654]

HOLY SH!T JONES JR. !

[State82]

Don't have words for that one!! Dayumm!

[Lord McBuckethead]

Alright, we went 3-4 to start this OT with one foul shot made.
Now we have to go 50% from here on out and this one is ours.

Make free throws.

[GoDawgz]

64-59 2:17 dawgs have the ball timeout

[R2Dawg]

Jones on the finish. Jones can be electric in open floor.

[Lord McBuckethead]

I think Mathews just made it in the wrong goal by accident.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Alright Shak, lets make em.
first one down.

[Lord McBuckethead]

How do we not have someone on their best shooter up 6?

[Lord McBuckethead]

We essentially just gave them 5 points in 13 seconds.

[RocketDawg]

Are we going to blow a 7 point lead in the last minute of the game?

[StarkVegasSteve]

Are we going to blow a 7 point lead in the last minute of the game?

Yes

[PGHBulldogBG]

Are we going to blow a 7 point lead in the last minute of the game?

Yes

[Lord McBuckethead]

Possession arrow UF. We have never had the possession arrow in the history of MSU basketball.

[State82]

Can't defend the three, you get beat. Every time.

[BullDog]

Shak has lost his mind

[Lord McBuckethead]

It was a 6 point lead, but yes we have squandered it. Now we have to make another bucket. I don't want anyone other than Moore taking a shot or Tolu taking a layup.

[GoDawgz]

67-65 1 ft to go for Fl..... 25.5 to go.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Shak has lost his mind

Yep. He missed his second FT, didn't cover their best shooter and then threw it away.

1 pt game.

[BullDog]

We suk

[RocketDawg]

Good grief.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Nice play Tolu.

[RocketDawg]

I'm sure they'll score in 4 seconds. Can't believe the wild passes we were trying.

[msstate7]

There's a 0% chance they don't score

[GoDawgz]

69-68 State..... 4 seconds to go...FL ball to inbound.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Well, Moore's terrible 30 seconds really has made this a game.
We need him to get a steal here to make up for it. One tipped dribble away from game. Lets go.

[RocketDawg]

Good thing they don't have the option to advance the ball like the girls game does.

[msstate7]

Wow

[GoDawgz]

Dawgs win...

[Lord McBuckethead]

Another wide open look for 3 on Moore. Luckily he missed.

[RocketDawg]

Well, we won somehow.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Alright fellas. We may be dancing.

[BullDog]

We suk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chef dixon]

We going dancing boys

[Commercecomet24]

Holy crap that was to close!

[Goldendawg]

Ugly, but a win. Our great D gives up 68 points. Cam has disappeared on O.

[gtowndawg]

I've never been more mad about a win in my life

[R2Dawg]

Boy we played like crap but got the W.

The pressure got to us in this game. We may be one and done in NCAAT but we will get in. We had a pretty good year but today was not a good reflection of how we have played 2nd half of year.

[gtowndawg]

I mean all we had to do was hit free throws and not turn it over. That's it, nothing else. It's not that hard.

//ok, vent over//

[Commercecomet24]

Winnings all that matters

[Bothrops]

NCAA tournament.1st year. Chris Jans. Expectations exceeded.

[msstate7]

I've never been more mad about a win in my life

I know exactly how you feel

[R2Dawg]

Jans with 21 wins and NCAAT in first year. That is pretty solid and all of us would be estatic if you made that deal 12 months ago.

[trob115]

Huge win. Hopefully the guys will be able to play loose tomorrow, now that we are all but guaranteed to make the big dance! The Dentist is awesome

[SailingDawg]

Tolu Smith is a beast. That is all.

[msstate7]

Jans with 21 wins and NCAAT in first year. That is pretty solid and all of us would be estatic if you made that deal 12 months ago.

Great job

[Bothrops]

I've never been more mad about a win in my life

Yeah we couldn't handle the press today.

[Commercecomet24]

Jans with 21 wins and NCAAT in first year. That is pretty solid and all of us would be estatic if you made that deal 12 months ago.

Yes sir!

[SteelCurtain74]

Survive and advance. That's all that matters.

[Leroy Jenkins]

I'll take an ugly win and be completely happy with it.

[Leroy Jenkins]

Jans with 21 wins and NCAAT in first year. That is pretty solid and all of us would be estatic if you made that deal 12 months ago.

But can he croooooooot?*

[Goldendawg]

Boy we played like crap but got the W.

The pressure got to us in this game. We may be one and done in NCAAT but we will get in. We had a pretty good year but today was not a good reflection of how we have played 2nd half of year.

If we go back to playing good D, I doubt that the team we draw has ever been hit with a D like we can have. Must cut down on turnovers and Cam must get 6 to 8 on O. Jones may have passed DJ.

[Joebob]

I'm not buying that we're a lock for the tourney. It's still too close to call, a lot of other conference tournament games have yet to be played, and Joe Lunardi isn't on the tournament committee. A bad showing against Bama and we could be right back out. They need to be ready to play tomorrow.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Well, we won somehow.

Because I started the game thread.

[gtowndawg]

Jans with 21 wins and NCAAT in first year. That is pretty solid and all of us would be estatic if you made that deal 12 months ago.

No doubt. Perspective matters.

[RocketDawg]

What time is our game tomorrow?

[MadDawg]

A bad showing against Bama and we could be right back out. They need to be ready to play tomorrow.

It would have to be a really, really, really bad showing. #1 RPI team in the country on a neutral site. Hard to see this game hurting us.

[BullDog]

What a courageous victory

[State82]

What time is our game tomorrow?

12:00 I think.

[trob115]

I'm not buying that we're a lock for the tourney. It's still too close to call, a lot of other conference tournament games have yet to be played, and Joe Lunardi isn't on the tournament committee. A bad showing against Bama and we could be right back out. They need to be ready to play tomorrow.

Wrong. We are a lock. A loss to the number 1 team cannot hurt you on a neutral floor.

[Goldendawg]

It would have to be a really, really, really bad showing. #1 RPI team in the country on a neutral site. Hard to see this game hurting us.

Just upset bama tomorrow and remove all doubt. Hail State!

[Dawgology]

Just upset bama tomorrow and remove all doubt. Hail State!

Commentators said after the game that the Florida win puts MSU in the NCAA Tournament. There is really no doubt at this point.

[basedog]

Florida isn't a bad team, pretty athletic and yes, I'm glad they're big man didn't play. When you get down to the end of the season, any win is big especially when we are playing for a tourney bid.

I think this team has over-achieved. I'm anxious to see how we play in the Big Dance.

[smootness]

We'll get in. Hopefully we can avoid the play-in at this point. Beat Bama and we'll be a 9 or 10.

[DEDawg]

I'm not buying that we're a lock for the tourney. It's still too close to call, a lot of other conference tournament games have yet to be played, and Joe Lunardi isn't on the tournament committee. A bad showing against Bama and we could be right back out. They need to be ready to play tomorrow.
No, 0% chance bama loss hurts us. Were either in or out as of right now. Nothing tomorrow changes whatever that is (were in)

[StarkVegasSteve]

We are in. And I think we are in the field of 64. We should be safe from the play in.

[R2Dawg]

We are in. And I think we are in the field of 64. We should be safe from the play in.

We were 11 seed heading into today. We should be in the 64 firmly now.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Florida isn't a bad team, pretty athletic and yes, I'm glad they're big man didn't play. When you get down to the end of the season, any win is big especially when we are playing for a tourney bid.

I think this team has over-achieved. I'm anxious to see how we play in the Big Dance.

I don't think we overachieved. If we make 2 more threes per 10 shot, we would be a 4 seed or better in the NCAA tourney. WE just really need Davis, Shak, and DJ to start getting into a grove with open 3 pointers and we will be damn difficult to defeat. Right now, no one even guards us at the three point line, because we are the 320th worst 3 point shooting team in the nation.

[Quaoarsking]

Wrong. We are a lock. A loss to the number 1 team cannot hurt you on a neutral floor.

Agreed that a loss tomorrow won't pull us out of it. The only question is whether the committee really views us as "in" right now. They probably so, but if they don't, we would probably be out with a loss tomorrow.

[RocketDawg]

Agreed that a loss tomorrow won't pull us out of it. The only question is whether the committee really views us as "in" right now. They probably so, but if they don't, we would probably be out with a loss tomorrow.

Since we came about as close to losing as possible today, we may not be a total lock right now.

[NCDawg]

Just upset bama tomorrow and remove all doubt. Hail State!

Hopefully, we won't miss 18 out of 20 shots like we did today.

[smootness]

I don't think we overachieved. If we make 2 more threes per 10 shot, we would be a 4 seed or better in the NCAA tourney. WE just really need Davis, Shak, and DJ to start getting into a grove with open 3 pointers and we will be damn difficult to defeat. Right now, no one even guards us at the three point line, because we are the 320th worst 3 point shooting team in the nation.

We absolutely overachieved. The fact that we will make the Tournament despite shooting that poorly is insane. No one picked us to make the Tournament preseason.

[smootness]

Since we came about as close to losing as possible today, we may not be a total lock right now.

That doesn't matter. We're in.

[basedog]

We absolutely overachieved. The fact that we will make the Tournament despite shooting that poorly is insane. No one picked us to make the Tournament preseason.

Exactly my point with how poorly we shoot outside. Jans has done as good of a job coaching this basketball team and season , can't think of anyone who has done as well in a loonnngggg time.

[BeardoMSU]

We absolutely overachieved. The fact that we will make the Tournament despite shooting that poorly is insane. No one picked us to make the Tournament preseason.

This.

[Leroy Jenkins]

If you told me back when we started conference play at 1-7.....

[trob115]

If you told me back when we started conference play at 1-7.....

Reunion Dog tried to tell everyone 😂

[Lord McBuckethead]

We absolutely overachieved. The fact that we will make the Tournament despite shooting that poorly is insane. No one picked us to make the Tournament preseason.

It is 100% how you look at it. I choose to see what we could be and understand that based on our shooting, the last 4 in the tourney is the best we could have hoped for as our defense gave people fits all year. Awesome defense and 320 ranked from 3 is exactly where we are, but man just a few more 3s to fall and we are a much lower seed. So I say we didn?t overachieve at all. If anything, we are exactly where we should be given our shooting issues.

[maroonmania]

Since we came about as close to losing as possible today, we may not be a total lock right now.

No, that won't matter anymore than the fact that we almost won at Missouri matters.

[Leroy Jenkins]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but why no just win the tournament, get the automatic bid, and not worry about bubble watch?

[LC Dawg]

Last year we started Tolu, DJ, Shak, Garrison Brooks 10ppg , and Molinar 17ppg.
This year we replaced Brooks with Matthews 7ppg and Molinar with Davis 8ppg. And we won 4 more regular season games.
Our returning starters experience figures in a little but this team definitely overachieved.
ETA - And Jans deserves coach of the year.

[RocketDawg]

Pretty good attendance at our game today for a noon start. And it's virtually full for Auburn/Arkansas tonight. Tomorrow's game with Alabama should be packed regardless of start time.

[msstate7]

Last year we started Tolu, DJ, Shak, Garrison Brooks 10ppg , and Molinar 17ppg.
This year we replaced Brooks with Matthews 7ppg and Molinar with Davis 8ppg. And we won 4 more regular season games.
Our returning starters experience figures in a little but this team definitely overachieved.
ETA - And Jans deserves coach of the year.

Gates at Missouri has been outstanding also

[CaptainObvious]

I know there are concerns about our defense last couple of games but you cannot defend 25 foot 3 pointers without fouling. When teams like Vandy and those 2 guards for Florida today are throwing it in from the parking lot you just have top your hat and hope you beat ?em in the paint. Today, UF die some things in the paint that concern me, but unconscious 3 point shooting just isn?t defendable. We HAVE to make layups and point blank shots that we have been missing and make 70% or better free throws and we will not have to worry about our 3 point shooting. Make the easy shots dad Gummit! 3 pointers are as rare as hitting .300 in baseball.

11 for 20 2 pointers is better than 6 for 20 3 pointers. We have to shoot better inside 10 feet. Period!

[LC Dawg]

Gates at Missouri has been outstanding also

Yeah, but he doesn't coach at Mississippi State so I'd rather Jans win the award.***

[smootness]

It is 100% how you look at it. I choose to see what we could be and understand that based on our shooting, the last 4 in the tourney is the best we could have hoped for as our defense gave people fits all year. Awesome defense and 320 ranked from 3 is exactly where we are, but man just a few more 3s to fall and we are a much lower seed. So I say we didn?t overachieve at all. If anything, we are exactly where we should be given our shooting issues.

Exactly. Our team has had as much success as you could possibly hope for given our shooting ability...that means we achieved as much as we possibly could. That is the definition of overachieving. Jans can't make us hit more shots, but he got this team as far as anyone could have ever hoped.