SEC Tournament pre-game: MSU set for rematch against Vandy

Mississippi State opens SEC tournament play against Vanderbilt, which beat LSU on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinal round.

Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. (CT) and will be televised by the SEC Network. WCBI will carry the game in the Golden Triangle.

MSU looks for players to emerge on ‘D’ line

STARKVILLE — As glaring as the Mississippi State football team’s challenge is to replace three starting linebackers, there’s just as much pressure to establish depth and to replace a cornerstone end on its defensive line.

The Bulldogs return junior tackles Fletcher Cox and Josh Boyd, but there’s uncertainty outside now that Pernell McPhee has exhausted his eligibility.

The passing of Nick Bell, Johnathan McKenzie’s decision to quit the team, and James Carmon’s move to the offensive line means veteran ends Shane McCardell and Sean Ferguson will be expected to play greater roles.

MSU football assistant coaches get raises

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s football coaches will feel the rewards of a breakout season in their bank accounts.

Coach Dan Mullen’s raise from $1.5 million a year to $2.65 was announced several days before MSU’s 52-14 win against the University of Michigan in the Gator Bowl. The victory gave the Bulldogs their best record since 2000 and landed them in The Associated Press’ final Top 25 rankings for the first time in 11 years.

Now, all of the Bulldogs’ assistants, with the exception of first-year linebackers coach Geoff Collins, will receive pay increases based on information obtained from an open records request from the Mississippi Institution of Higher Learning.

MSU gets matchup against Vanderbilt

STARKVILLE — The Southeastern Conference tournament matchup the Mississippi State men’s basketball team expected is here, and with plenty of story lines.

Vanderbilt defeated LSU 62-50 Thursday night in the opening round of the tournament at the georgia Dome in Atlanta. The win sets up a matchup between the Bulldogs (17-13, 9-7 SEC) and the Commodores (22-9, 9-7), who won in Starkville for the first time in 18 years on Jan. 27. MSU eliminated Vanderbilt in the semifinals of last year’s SEC tournament.

MSU baseball will try to get offense going vs. Sacred Heart

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State baseball team will look to rebound from two losses last week, and back-to-back rain-affected games, when it plays host to Sacred Heart this weekend.

MSU (10-3) lost two games to Iowa in a four-game homestand last weekend before having its game Tuesday against Mississippi Valley State canceled and its road game Wednesday at the University of Alabama-Birmingham suspended in the sixth inning.

Ailing Bost will try to keep MSU sharp

STARKVILLE — Dee Bost knows his shot has been off the past two weeks.

He knows his hamstring and Achilles’ injuries are limiting his lateral movement and the lift on his jump shot.

But as Mississippi State’s second-leading scorer, Bost’s point production will be critical in the Bulldogs’ quarterfinal matchup against LSU or Vanderbilt on Friday at the Southeastern Conference tournament.

Starkville High baseball set for trip to Florida

STARKVILLE — Normally, teams with records of .500 or better don’t feel as far behind as the Starkville High baseball team.

Such is life for a team that has had five games rained out in a week and is about to play three unfamiliar teams in a week-long road trip in another state.

‘Humbled,’ ‘hurt’ Sidney speaks

Renardo Sidney’s media blackout ended Tuesday, as the Mississippi State sophomore forward addressed a lengthy list of topics about his checkered college career.

LB Hunt leaves MSU football team

Mississippi State junior linebacker Michael Hunt left the team this week, coach Dan Mullen said Tuesday. Hunt had 21 tackles as a backup last season, and entered this spring as a favorite to challenge for one of three vacant linebacker spots.

MSU men preparing for two teams

STARKVILLE — With a bye in the first round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, the Mississippi State men’s basketball team has a more favorable path to Sunday’s title game.

But the Bulldogs won’t know who they’ll face in the quarterfinals until Thursday.

MSU will open play Friday in Atlanta against the winner of the LSU and Vanderbilt game. Both teams defeated MSU in Starkville this season.

MSU confident entering SEC tournament

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s players and coaches have expressed their comfort with playing the jam-packed slate at the Southeastern Conference.

But how do their chances this season stack up against the past two seasons, when the Bulldogs made it to the title game?

MSU coach Rick Stansbury thinks this year’s team has as good a chance as the past two when it plays its first game Friday against the winner of the first-round game Thursday between Vanderbilt University and LSU.

Johnson has special senior day for Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — Ravern Johnson has been in the zone since returning from a two-game suspension.

On Senior Day Saturday, the Mississippi State guard scored 21 points, dished out two assists, and had two steals in a 60-58 win against South Carolina. The performance was the third straight game in which he has scored 20 points or more points, and the sixth in which he has scored 15 or more.

Johnson’s effort helped the Bulldogs (17-13, 9-7 Southeastern Conference) win their third straight game, and fourth in their past five.

Swedenburg will try to kick, punt for MSU

STARKVILLE — On the heels of Mississippi State’s punting game posting its best statistical season of the decade, sophomore punter Baker Swedenburg knows he needs to perform well.

The Heritage Academy graduate sat behind Heath Hutchins in each of the past two seasons and watched him drop 24 punts inside the 20-yard line and finish 29th nationally in net punting last season.

The Bulldogs allowed just 5.5 yards per punt return last season, which ranked third in the league.

MSU’s punting game and a ball-control offense often put its defense in favorable positions with long fields to defend.

MSU’s Carmon wants to make most of switch

STARKVILLE — James Carmon isn’t afraid to say he has money on his mind.

Most players entering their senior season are contemplating what they need to do to make it to the NFL.

Most seniors aren’t switching positions.

Mullen opts for change to get back on field earlier

STARKVILLE — Dan Mullen is all about keeping things fresh.

The Mississippi State football coach doesn’t want players to get complacent after the team went 9-4 and thrashed the University of Michigan in the Gator Bowl last season.

Homan looking for men’s golfers to raise level

STARKVILLE — Sometimes players have to take it upon themselves to elevate their play and be “the guy.”

Mississippi State men’s golf coach Clay Homan is waiting for one of his golfers to grab the torch and to run with it.

MSU men prepare to honor seniors

STARKVILLE — Just three days after their seniors came up big in the most important win of the season, the Mississippi State men’s basketball team will honor the group at 1 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2) when it plays host to the University of South Carolina.

Meridian, Hood end Starkville’s run

JACKSON — The Starkville High School boys basketball team’s Class 6A state tournament run ended in the semifinals Wednesday with a 72-43 loss to Meridian High.

The Yellow Jackets (19-9) struggled to keep pace with the Wildcats, who received a game-high 27 points from forward Rodney Hood and 15 from guard Matthew Hurn.

MSU’s Lewis striving for consistency

STARKVILLE — Wendell Lewis is easily the most athletic post player on the Mississippi State men’s basketball team.

Even with heralded center Renardo Sidney turning heads with his inside-out offensive game, the quick-footed, explosive Lewis can cause comparable damage on defense and on the boards. He just hasn’t showcased his skills consistently.

Starkville High boys ready for Meridian

STARKVILLE — Few people expected the Starkville High School boys basketball team to make it back to Jackson.

Without two standout players from last season’s Class 6A state title and Grand Slam championship squad, Starkville had a mountain to climb if it hoped to repeat as champs.

At least it faces familiar foe to get to the summit.