MAROON NATION

MSU SEC Tourney Preview

mr_jbrown — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 03:33:54 +0000

Mississippi State did exactly what it needed to do: survive the SEC schedule and earn a first-round bye in this week’s SEC Tournament. That result is not good enough for some as MSU was chosen in the preseason to win the SEC West. That prediction was made based on the potential of this year’s squad. Would Renardo Sidney play like the McDonald’s All-American he was in high school? How would the team perform when Dee Bost returned from suspension? When it was all said and done, MSU finished 9-7 in conference, three games behind division winner Alabama. MSU played to its potential at times but also underperformed at critical moments this year. Losses to SEC West cellar dwellers Auburn and LSU put a sour taste in the mouths of the Bulldog faithful. However, the Bulldogs responded with wins against SEC champion Florida and won at Thompson-Boling Arena against Tennessee in Jack Cristil’s last radio broadcast as the voice of Mississippi State athletics. A lot of people are critical of Rick Stansbury when it comes to coaching, but he seems to shine during the SEC Tournament. As head coach, he has two championship trophies and two more finals appearances since taking over from Richard Williams in 1998. If history happens to repeat itself, MSU won’t win its quarterfinal game against the LSU/Vanderbilt winner. In 2002, MSU won the tourney, lost in the finals in 2003 and was bounced in the quarterfinals (with a first-round bye) in 2004. MSU won the tourney in 2009 and lost in the finals last season. However, the field could not have shaped up any better for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs play its first game Friday against the LSU/Vanderbilt winner. MSU split the season series with the Tigers, but one bounce here and there could have turned the two matchups into sweeps in either team’s favor. MSU lost its only meeting with the Commodores this year, but was very much in the game. They made some crucial mistakes in the final minutes and let a winnable game slip from their fingers. Last year MSU proved that they could lose to Vandy mid-season and beat them when it matters most: in the SEC Tourney. It seems like a possibility again this season.

On the other half of MSU’s bracket sit three reams that MSU is a combined 4-0 this season. The Bulldogs swept the Razorbacks, defeated Tennessee on the road and upset the ranked Gators in Starkville. If the Bulldogs can play up to their full potential and get Sidney plenty of rest, MSU can cruise into the finals for a third straight year. Will it be that easy? Of course not, MSU has made the incredibly easy look impossible in athletics since 1878. But working in MSU’s favor is two seniors who have been on the wrong side of Stansbury. However, they have learned from the error of their ways and embraced their roles on the team. The result is Kodi Augustus averaging career-highs in points and rebounds and a rejuvenated Ravern Johnson after his suspension and benching. The national media (Andy Katz and Pat Forde in particular) may not like how Rick has handled this season, but he’s done wonders with the hand he was dealt and has his team in position to win two SEC Tourney titles in three years. The ride to this position has not been a smooth one, but the roads have settled. Stansbury and crew seem to make magic every SEC Tournament, and this year’s field is set for MSU to make more magic.

82-80, 41-27, 80-75, 71-63, 31-23, 69-64

maroonnation — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 04:03:40 +0000

82-80, 41-27, 80-75, 71-63, 31-23, 69-64. GTHOM!!!!!

MSU – Ole Miss: In-Game Look

mr_jbrown — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 03:04:19 +0000

We are at the half right now with Ole Miss hanging on to a two-point lead over Mississippi State. Dee Bost and Renardo Sidney are leading the way right now with 25 of the team’s 32 points. Ravern Johnson, who leads the SEC in scoring, is scoreless right now. For those not at a TV or a radio, you can follow the game online…

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=310130145

On the Hot Seat With Rich Rodriguez

mr_jbrown — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 14:47:13 +0000

The Program
The Michigan Wolverines are arguably the greatest college football program of all time. The numbers they have amassed over the years speak for themselves. They have the highest win percentage in FBS history (.736) and the most wins in FBS history (882). The Wolverines’ department of athletics claims 11 national championships with the most recent one coming in 1997. Michigan’s home stadium is unlike any other. Michigan Stadium is the largest football stadium in the country and the third-largest sports stadium in the world. When you see the winged helmet, the first team to come to mind is the Wolverines. The Wolverines are well represented in the NFL. Charles Woodson is the reigning defensive player of the year. Tom Brady has won three Super Bowls and a MVP award. Chad Henne is the starting quarterback for my Miami Dolphins.

Will Michigan go get a man who coaches on a blue field?

The seat he is on is a tad bit too hot for what he's wearing.

The Coach
Had Rich Rodriguez been hired 20 or 25 years ago, he would have a comfortable cushion to install his spread offense in Ann Arbor. Unfortunately for him, he was hired to replace Lloyd Carr in late 2007. With college football being the revenue generator it is, a coach has to win and win early. Lloyd Carr led Michigan to a bowl game in each of his 13 seasons at Michigan. Rich Rod is currently 0-for-2. Me personally, I do not blame Rodriguez for Michigan’s struggles. It takes time to convert from a pro-style offense to a spread offense. If he had gone to bowl games, the hot seat would not be as hot as it is right now. However, he went 3-9 his first season in Ann Arbor and only managed two more wins in 2009. He has the players offensively to win, but the defense is suffering in a major way. This season, the Michigan defense has allowed four of seven opponents to score over 30 points, giving up 38 to Iowa and 37 to FCS Massachusetts. Under Rich Rod’s watch, Michigan is on NCAA probation for the first time in the program’s history after spending too much time practicing. The alleged overages did not show on the field at all.

The Short List
I believe Rich Rod survives another year, but with a new athletic director in place Rodriguez’s tenure will more than likely be cut short.

Lloyd Carr – Kansas State blew the dust off a 70-year-old Bill Snyder to lead the Wildcats in 2009. How difficult can it be to get a 65-year-old man to walk the sidelines of the Big House once again?

Dan Mullen – Why am I offering OUR coach to go elsewhere? As much as I want to think Mullen will never leave Starkville until he wins a SEC West championship, there are greener pastures in the land of college football. Michigan just so happens to be one of the greenest pastures in the land. Mullen runs a variation of the spread offense, so the transition between regimes will not be as tumultuous as it was between Carr and Rodriguez.

Jim Herrmann – Herrmann currently serves as linebacker coach for the New York Giants after holding the same position for the New York Jets. Before making his way to the pros, he served as Michigan’s defensive coordinator. He won the second annual Frank Broyles award for assistant coach of the year in 1997. Although he is not a Michigan alumnus, he has deep roots in the program, and his defensive background would serve the Wolverine program very well.

Les Miles – As long as Miles is having an ounce of success as a head coach, his name will always be mentioned as a candidate for any Michigan coaching vacancy. His name surfaced as the front-runner before Rodriguez eventually landed the job. Miles has a national championship on his resume. His unconventional play-calling may rub some conventional football fans the wrong way and his clock management may be a bit suspect, but once he beats Ohio State, all will be forgotten.

Chris Petersen – As with any position opening within the BCS conferences, this man’s name will be thrown in the hat. What he has been able to accomplish has been nothing short of remarkable. If Boise State somehow sneaks into the BCS title game and Rodriguez gets canned, consider Petersen to be THE guy. He will have no reason to stay at Boise State. He will have to prove he can play the big boys regularly and beat them regularly.

You have to take points any way you can

maroonnation — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 23:29:11 +0000

You have to take points any way you can get them. Mississippi State gets a field goal to go up 3-0 on the Gators with 8:03 left in the first

trying out our new tweet-based blogging

maroonnation — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 22:58:41 +0000

trying out our new tweet-based blogging at http://www.maroonnation.wordpress.com

Not Quite Yet Over the Hump

mr_jbrown — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:32:22 +0000

Chris Relf wasn't able to lead the comeback Thursday. His time will come.

Last Thursday Mississippi State showcased the progress it made under second-year head coach Dan Mullen. ESPN showed the world how far we had come. At the end of the game, it was us coming up short again. MSU football has not been able to get over the proverbial hump quite yet. Mullen has made impressive strides in a short amount of time. We are no longer an automatic conference win but are from being the perennial doormat. Despite two early turnovers, we still had a chance to win the game on a last second drive. Besides the dropped passes, there is a lot to be optimistic about.

HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS
In the first half, Cam Newton had his way with the MSU defense, outgaining the Bulldog offense by himself 146-125. Manny Diaz and staff made critical adjustments on the fly and held Newton to only 82 yards (22 of those receiving) in the second half. The MSU defense dictated when Newton would scramble. Even more importantly, after giving up 17 first-half points the defense shut out the potent Tiger offense. When it was time to make a stand late in the game, the defense came through on 3^rd down and the ensuing blocked field goal.

FLAGS, FLAGS, FLAGS
MSU only committed two penalties for 25 yards: a personal foul that was a bit of acting on Auburn’s part and an illegal block. The two penalties are a far cry from the 5.6 penalties per game MSU averaged a season ago. To date, MSU is only averaging 2.5 penalties and 27.5 penalty yards per game. Dan Mullen wants his team to give “relentless effort,” and his team is giving that effort while playing disciplined football.

NOT FOLDING JUST YET
In years past, when MSU would go down by a double-digit deficit, we would fold when given the opportunity to make a comeback. We lacked the offensive firepower to score points in a short period of time, and the defense would eventually break from being on the field too long. With Mullen learning the spread offense from Urban Meyer, the Bulldog offense has the ability to march up the field gaining huge chunks of yards at a time. Coupled with Diaz’s high-risk, high-reward defense, MSU can put points on the board in a hurry.

There are still some minor details we need to work on to become more consistent. We have been here before: where the MSU fan base thinks we are ready to make the leap into the next tier of SEC schools. When we get there, we usually take two steps in the wrong direction. If not this season, next season will definitely be the year MSU causes major hell for the other teams in the conference. That is the beauty of playing in the best conference in the country: every week is a chance to score a major upset and get the momentum that can carry you through the rest of the season.

Newton powers No. 21 Auburn past Miss. State (sports.espn.go.com)

This Week in MSU Sports – Wednesday Special

mr_jbrown — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:31:18 +0000

This week in Mississippi State sports was a bit out of the norm. MSU’s soccer team played on Tuesday, notching a big win over Mississippi Valley State. The team welcomes another SWAC foe, Jackson State, to the MSU soccer field Friday at 7 p.m.

Game Notes – Live Stats

FOOTBALL

The gridiron Dogs. coming off a short week of preparation, host the Auburn Tigers Thursday night in the conference lid-lifter for both teams. The last time Auburn and MSU played at Davis Wade Stadium, offense was set back a few generations. Dan Mullen and Gus Malzahn righted that ship the very next season as Auburn won 49-24.

GAME NOTES

MSU – Auburn – SEC

VOLLEYBALL

Saluki Invitational

Southern Illinois – 9/10, 7 p.m.
South Florida – 9/11, 10 a.m.
SE Missouri State – 9/11, 5 p.m.

Game Notes

This Week in MSU Sports

mr_jbrown — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:45:41 +0000

Chris Relf is the starting QB against Memphis, but we are sure to see plenty of Tyler Russell Saturday.

FOOTBALL

It is that time of year. College football is back. Dan Mullen has the Bulldog Nation in a frenzy. Cowbells are now allowed (legally) into Davis Wade Stadium. Coming off a 5-7 campaign, what does Mullen and company have in store? We find out September 4, when the Bulldogs play host to the Memphis Tigers. MSU holds a 31-11 series lead over Memphis, with the Tigers’ last win coming in 1993.

For all things MSU football related:
mstatefootball.com

Weekly Game Notes
MSU – Memphis – SEC

VOLLEYBALL

The Bulldog Volleyball team heads to Texas for the UT-Arlington Hilton Invitational

(9/3) vs. Texas Pan American – 4 p.m.
(9/4) vs. Louisiana Tech – 2:30 p.m.
(9/4) vs. Texas-Arlington – 7 p.m.

Game Notes – Live stats

SOCCER

The MSU soccer team is back on the road. They head to Troy to participate in the Trojan Classic.

(9/3) vs. Troy
(9/5) vs. South Alabama