2009-2010 Mississippi State Predictions
2008-09 Record: (23-13, 9-7 SEC West)
Coach: Rick Stansbury (12th year, 231-128 at Miss. State)
Assistants: Robert Kirby, Phil Cunningham, Marcus Grant
Ret. Starters/Lost: 5/0

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Overview: The Bulldogs return all five starters from a 23-13 team that finished just 9-7 in the SEC. This is a team loaded with size and athletes. They will go as far as their backcourt takes them. Sophomore De Boston (6-2, 170) seemed to solidify the point guard spot last season, averaging 10.9ppg and 4.3apg. He has great poise and has outstanding potential. Senior guard Barry Stewart (6-2, 170) is an intelligent player who knocked down 72 3-pointers last year and averaged 12.4ppg. Junior wing Ravern Johnson (6-7, 175) added 12.1ppg and is the best three-point shooter on the team with 83 makes. Junior guard Phil Turner (6-3, 170) is a battler who averaged 8.5ppg and 5.5rpg off the bench. Up front, MSU returns senior shotblocker Jarvis Varnado (6-9, 210), who nearly went to the NBA, but returned to college. Last year, he was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year with 394 blocks, just 19 shy of Shaquille O’Neal’s conference Mark and 142 from the NCAA record. He also added 12.9ppg and 8.8 rebounds, while adding significant size to his slender frame. Junior Kodi Augustus (6-8, 220) is back as well, but needs to continue to improve his numbers (6.2ppg, 3.4rpg). Sophomore Romero Osby (6-8, 230) adds more size and athletic ability at the wing or power forward spot.

Outlook: Mississippi State has the talent, size and enough depth to compete with anybody. They may be just a tad off of Kentucky and Tennessee, but in the West, they are the favorites.

This SEC conference prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college basketball betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com

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