| 1996 | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||
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| 1997 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 1998 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
12/31/98 - The MSU (10-3) men's basketball team defeated USL 62-58 yesterday to gain 7th place in the Rainbow Classic. Leading scorers were Oral Roberts with 16 points and Tyrone Washington with 10 points. BTW, freshman Tyrus Boswell, slowly rounding into playing shape, scored his first 3-pointer as a Bulldog. MSU now heads home to face South Carolina Saturday at 2 p.m. (See below).
Two nights ago the MSU (9-2) women's team was defeated by No. 16 Virginia Tech 73-52.
12/31/98 - From the official MSU basketball site:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 29, 1998
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY - Athletic Media Relations
MSU-USC GAME SET FOR ORIGINAL TIME OF 2 P.M. STARKVILLE,
Miss. -- Mississippi State's men's basketball game with South Carolina this
Saturday at Humphrey Coliseum will be played at its originally scheduled time of 2
p.m.
The Bulldogs and Gamecocks will both be opening Southeastern Conference play.
12/31/98 - Advertisement: Check out BellSouth's "The Real Yellow Pages" by clicking here..
12/30/98 - MSU's men's team lost to Florida State 69-58 last night. For three quarters of the game, MSU played with very little intensity and, basically, were outplayed. During the last few minutes of the game, they played with the effort needed to be competitive in the SEC. With excellent play by point guard Todd Myles (didn't I tell you guys he is a very good player?) and newcomer Joe Marshall (3 straight 3-pointers), MSU came back from an 18-point deficit to get within 1 before running out of gas. I know many of you think something is wrong with this team. Some of you are even saying they aren't that good. I beg to differ. There is very good talent on this team, although quite a bit of it is young and inexperienced. I also believe we have an excellent coaching staff. All that is lacking is the players and coaches getting used to each other and the players learning they have to give 100% effort for the entire game. They have shown during the latter stages of the last two game what they can do when they play with that effort. I'm sure Coach Stansbury and his staff will point this out to the players and the players will learn from it. We have a new head coach with his own way of doing things, two new assistants and a whole bunch of new players. It just takes time, folks. It takes time.
The Bulldogs play at 3:00 p.m. today.
One thing I would like to see is MORE people at our home games. As was proven during the football season, WE FANS do make a difference in winning and losing. 2,500 to 3,500 isn't going to help win anything. Be at the game this Saturday to support our Bulldogs as they begin SEC play.
12/29/98 - MSU (9-1) women won over Campbell 83-56. MSU (9-2) men lost to Texas 81-77, although they never gave up. MSU men will play today at 5:00 p.m. Sorry, it was late and I had no time to post game details. I will say Tyrone Washington and Todd Myles played very well. Check the official MSU site for game details.
12/23/98 - Our Bulldogs (9-1), after losing for the first time this year (2 pt. loss to Southwestern LA.) the night before, came back last night to defeat Eastern Kentucky 75-62. Leading scorers were Tyrone Washington (17 points, 9-10 free throws), Tang Hamilton (16 points, 4-5 free throws), Detrick White (14 points) and Robert Jackson (10 points). Detrick and Todd Myles led the team with 4 assists each. Oral Roberts had 11 rebounds to lead the team.
Newcomer Tyrus Boswell, playing his second game, scored 3 points after scoring 2 points in the previous night's game. BTW, at times last night, MSU was playing three freshmen at the same time: Michael Gholar (3 pts), Robert Jackson and Marckell Patterson (2 pts.).
12/23/98 - Two players MSU is recruiting were selected by The Clarion-Ledger as this week's Top Performers. Canton's Alonzo Lane, a Dandy Dozen selection, averaged 21.5 points in victories over Madison Central and Yazoo City. Lane is averaging 27 ppg, 10 rpg and 3 bspg this season. Greenville's Latoya Thomas, also a Dandy Dozen selection, scored a career-high 53 points and pulled down 20 rebounds in an 81-46 victory over Weston. Thomas is averaging 30 ppg this season.
12/21/98 - The Lady Bulldogs, now 8-1 on the season, won their own basketball tournament by defeating Ohio University 83-62. Jennifer Fambrough lead the team in scoring with 22 points. Other Bulldogs in double digits in scoring were Angela Harris (13 points), Cynthia Hall (12 points), Meadow Overstreet (11 points). LaToya Graham and Jennifer led the Lady Bulldogs in rebounds with 7 each. Meadow led the Dawgs in assists with 8.
MSU freshman sensation Jennifer Fambrough was named MVP of the tournament after scoring 64 points (32 ppg) and pulling down 17 rebounds (8.5 rpg).
You guys are really missing out by not going to see our Lady Bulldogs in action. This team has the makings of a very good team.
12/21/98 - Don't forget, the men's team plays tonight at 7:00 p.m. against Southwestern Louisiana.
12/20/98 - The Lady Bulldogs defeated Northwestern (LA) State 99-76. Freshman Jennifer Fambrough, with the benefit of great passing by her teammates, scored a women's record 42 points. Nitra Perry also played well, scoring 15 points on 7-11 from the field, including 1 of 1 from the 3-point line. Nitra also had 5 assists, as did Cynthia Hall. LaToya Graham led the Bulldogs with 6 assists. Jennifer Fambrough led the team with 10 rebounds.
MSU plays Ohio University today beginning at 3:00 p.m. It will mark my debut as a guest coach. Hope to see you at the game today.
12/19/98 - Check out the MSU women's basketball game today at 3:00 p.m. MSU Women's Basketball Coach Sharon Fanning leads her team against Northwestern (LA) State. Remember, I will be guest coaching Sunday afternoon. Look forward to seeing you there.
12/19/98 - If you would like to see some great Mississippi HS basketball players, Columbus HS will be hosting the Wendy's/Columbus Christmas Classic. Participating boys teams include the top two in the state of Mississippi, (#1) Jackson Provine (13-1) and (#2) Indianola Gentry (8-3). Saturday, Provine plays Starkville (5-6) at 4:30 and Gentry plays (#8) Columbus (great start at 12-0) at 7:30 (both in the Up-Stairs Gym). The game of the tournament should be the Provine vs Gentry game Monday at 6:00. Wouldn't it be nice if the Columbus HS gym was loaded with the colors Maroon and White so that the players would know who has the best program and fans in the state of Mississippi?
12/19/98 - Just thought you guys would enjoy reading what Prep Stars Recruiter's Handbook wrote about MSU signee Trey Sanders (6-3, PG, Hill HS):
"Fine dribbler (crossover, spin-dribble) slices to the basket, elevates and usually finishes the play, regardless of traffic. Is very fast up and down the court. Tires some jumpshots to 21 feet, but the ones we saw him attempt weren't close to finding the net. Plays very hard. With work on his jumpshot, this high mid-major to possible high-major prospect could turn into a plum for Mississippi State."
If you would like to subscribe to Prep Stars Recruiter's Handbook ($25 per year for four big magazines of player packed info), you can contact them at 800-447-7667 or mail your $25 check to PO Box 4323, Chapel Hill, NC 27515. Don't forget to include your name and address. I highly recommend this handbook. They also have a site on the 'net which is linked here.
Here is a link to a photo of MSU signee Jonathan Bender.
12/17/98 - Yours truly will be making my guest coach appearance this Sunday when our women's basketball team play either Ohio U. or Troy State at either 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. Check your local newspaper or this site to find out what time MSU will play. Come on out and support Coach Sharon Fanning and her players.
12/14/98 - MSU signee Jonathan Bender scored 39 points against Poplarville Saturday night. BTW, did you know Jonathan was 5 of 6 from the 3-point line Friday night? Is this guy an offensive machine or what?
12/13/98 - Miss State (8-0) defeated Southeastern LA. 97-60. Leading scorer was Tyrone Washington with 25 points. Other players in double figures were Detrick White (20 points), true freshman Robert Jackson (13 points), Bart Hyche (12 points) and Oral Roberts (11 points). BTW, Jackson scored the 13 points in 15 minutes of play. Todd Myles, giving the team a spark when he comes off the bench, scored 5 points (3 of 5 from the field), dished out 5 assists and had 2 steals. Redshirt freshman Marckell Patterson, suffering from a severe ankle injury for the past couple of weeks, played in the game.
The Bulldogs now take off a few days to take their finals.
12/12/98 - MSU signee Jonathan Bender scored 35 points and had 9 rebounds and 2 blocks Thursday night in a runaway victory over Pearl River Central. Jonathan also scored 17 points and pulled down 9 rebounds Friday night while playing only 13 minutes in a blow out of Purvis.
12/11/98 - MSU signee Jason Johnson scored 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds against Qitman, LA. Tuesday night.
12/11/98 - What are basketball experts saying about new MSU Head Basketball Coach and the future of MSU basketball.
12/10/98 - My answers to various questions I have received the past few days:
1) Why isn't Marckell Patterson playing? He was sick for a couple of games then he severely sprained his ankle. He should be playing in a game or two.
2) What is wrong with our basketball team? They are 7-0, the best start since the 1991-1992 season, which, by the way, was the year we won the regular season SEC Championship. Sure it is against, for the most part, easy competition but most teams play a fairly easy schedule in the pre-season. Not all, but most.
3) Is Tyrus Boswell as good as they say? We will find out in a month. I have seen him play one time so I really can't answer this question. Others who have seen him play say he has the potential to be a NBA caliber player.
12/09/98 - MSU (7-0) defeated Centenary (3-3) 59 to 54 last night. Leading the Bulldogs in scoring was Tyrone Washington with 15 points. He was followed in the scoring column by Tang Hamilton (14 points) and Bart Hyche (11 points).
12/09/98 - Last Friday night MSU signee Jonathan Bender scored 29 pts had 9 rbs and 3 blocks in a Picayune victory over St. Stan. They physically abused him the whole game, sometimes very much.
His season stats through 10 games are 26.5 pts, 13.5 rbs and 4 blocks.
12/08/98 - Sorry for the lateness of this. Our Lady Bulldogs defeated number 20th ranked Vanderbilt at the Hump Sunday afternoon. The 6 - 0 start is the best for a Lady Bulldog team since the 1982-1983 season. MSU was led by Nitra Perry with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman Jennifer Fambrough scored 18 points and Latoya Graham scored 15 points.
12/08/98 - The latest word is Greenville High School's Latoya Thomas has MSU listed as one of her five finalists. One of my more informed sources believes Latoya may be one of the top five high school basketball players in the country this year.
12/8/98 - I received several questions about MSU men's basketball recruits. This is old news to most of you but I felt it was best to answer the questions on my skuttle-butt instead of individually.
12/08/98 - I hope all of you will FINALLY start coming to the basketball games tonight. 2,800 to 3,700 attendance isn't going to get it, folks. See you at the game tonight!!
12/03/98 - MSU won their 6th straight game last night defeating Jacksonville State 73 to 54. Tyrone Washington, finally over his illness, scored 21 points, hauled down 10 rebounds, blocked 7 shots and had 3 steals.
12/03/98 - According to someone who actually talked to Raynell Brewer, he said he has not committed to MSU. I'll leave it at that until he officially commits to MSU. That is if he commits to MSU.
12/02/98 - The MSU men's team is not the only team starting off the basketball season in perfect fashion. The women's team, after a 89 to 51 victory over Alabama State, is now 5-0 on the season. Miss State led 46-11 at halftime and did not allow Alabama State to score until there were 8:56 minutes left in the first half. MSU was led in scoring by Nitra Perry with 18 points. Others who scored in double figures were Jennifer Fambrough (13 pts), Angela Harris (11pts) and Meadow Overstreet (10 pts). All thirteen players got into the game and all thirteen scored. Litisha Benson led MSU in rebounds with 8, followed by Ilisha Jarrett with 7 and LaToya Graham with 6.
The Lady Bulldogs take on Vanderbilt at 2 p.m. this coming Sunday, the day after MSU plays in the SEC Championship Game. If at all possible, please make every effort to come back Sunday in time to see our Lady Bulldogs take on the Commodores from Music City.
12/02/98 - Showing support for our Lady Bulldogs by attending the game last night were fellow Bulldog basketball players Tang Hamilton and Tyrone Washington and coaches Robert Kirby and Bill Ball, sometimes known as "Billy Ball."
12/01/98 - MSU (5-0) defeated Sam Houston State 80-67 last night. Scoring in double digits were seniors Oral Roberts (21 points) and Detrick White (18 points). A total of ten players scored, including eight who scored 5 or more points. BTW, MSU pumped in eight 3-pointers.
P.S. - Possibly the top juco center in the country committed to MSU yesterday. 7-1, 225-lb Raynell Brewer, of Gulf Coast (MS) CC, chose the Bulldogs over Houston in a tremendous recruiting battle.
12/01/98 - Don't forget the MSU women's team plays Alabama State tonight at 7 p.m. BTW, did you know they are 4-0 on the season? Come on out and see freshman sensation Jennifer Fambrough, the MVP of this past weekend's 18th annual Harvard Invitational. Mary Ann and I hope to see you at the game.