Ray, Bulldogs will try to build momentum

STARKVILLE — The message couldn’t be more clear from Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Ray to his players: it’s on you.

Following an 81-72 overtime victory against Texas A&M on Saturday, Ray has focused on getting his players to build on the win and not to revert to old habits.

Ware dominates inside to help MSU beat Texas A&M

STARKVILLE — Gavin Ware figured Saturday was finally his time.

That’s why the Mississippi State sophomore center became visibly angry at his teammates on possessions he didn’t get the ball.

The former Starkville High School standout put that frustration to good use, scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead MSU to an 81-72 overtime victory against Texas A&M at Humphrey Coliseum.

MSU without Ready in victory against Texas A&M

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team knocked Texas A&M from the ranks of the unbeaten in league play without freshman point guard IJ Ready.

Rea will try to provide even more leadership

STARKVILLE — Wes Rea doesn’t want Mississippi State baseball fans to be confused.

Ray hopes MSU can forget loss to Alabama

STARKVILLE — Craig Sword knows why the Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s next game is critical.

Last season, MSU suffered a 32-point loss to Alabama and allowed that negative energy to carry over to 12 more devastating Southeastern Conference losses in a row. Following an 80-61 loss to Alabama on Wednesday at Coleman Coliseum, Sword hopes the same malaise won’t envelope MSU.

Releford, Alabama rout MSU

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Ray knew his scouting report wasn’t understood and likely would be executed poorly.

Hours before MSU’s game against Alabama on Wednesday night, Ray saw mannerisms and attitudes in the team’s shoot-around at Coleman Coliseum that made him believe his team wasn’t mentally ready for a Southeastern Conference road game.

MSU’s Ready suffers head injury in loss

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Mississippi State freshman point guard IJ Ready suffered his second injury of the season Wednesday night.

With 9 minutes, 12 seconds left in the first half, Ready’s head hit the Coleman Coliseum floor after he took a charge on Alabama center Carl Engstrom The Little Rock, Ark., native didn’t return to the game.

McKinney, Smith, Lewis will return to MSU

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State sophomore Benardrick McKinney confirmed Wednesday what Dan Mullen expected.

McKinney, the Bulldogs’ starting middle linebacker, announced he will bypass the NFL draft in April and return to Starkville for his junior season.

Koenning leaves MSU for Texas

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football program has lost another assistant coach from its football staff.

New Texas football coach Charlie Strong announced Wednesday that former MSU offensive coordinator Les Koenning has joined his coaching staff as wide receivers coach.

MSU chooses Court as new strength and conditioning coach

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State has come to a agreement with its new strength and conditioning coach.

Caledonia moves to 16-2 with rare win over Noxubee County

MACON – Seeing is believing for the Caledonia High School boys basketball team.

MSU meets Alabama in pivotal early-season SEC matchup

STARKVILLE — Two teams with completely diverse scheduling philosophies for the 2013 non-conference portion of the their seasons hope their strategy has adequately prepared them for a Southeastern Conference men’s basketball showdown tonight.

Releford looks to continue recent success against Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — If there’s one player that’s single-handedly keeping his team above the bottom of the Southeastern Conference, it’s Alabama guard Trevor Releford.

CHANGE OF PLANS: Basketball programs dealing with transfers all over the nation

College basketball players transferring to different schools isn’t new.

Sword finding other ways than scoring to contribute

STARKVILLE — Rick Ray is getting used to Craig Sword contributing in other ways than scoring.

Following a victory against Maryland-Eastern Shore in which Sword attempted three shots, Ray said he wasn’t comfortable with the Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s leading scorer not playing a big role in the team’s offense.

MSU marshals late finish to beat Ole Miss

STARKVILLE — Rick Ray’s words didn’t fall on deaf ears Saturday.

After Ray spoke all week about the Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s “bugaboo” of second-half collapses, the second-year head coach watched MSU finish in strong fashion for a 76-72 win in front of a season-high crowd of 8,841 at Humphrey Coliseum.

Ready helps bring MSU together down stretch

Labels don’t matter to IJ Ready, especially when it’s time to win a game against an archrival.

With Ole Miss threatening to steal a game, the Mississippi State freshman point guard gathered his four teammates for a inspirational speech. The leadership Ready showed that is normally reserved for older players helped MSU close out 76-72 victory before a season-high crowd of 8,841 at Humphrey Coliseum.

Bulldogs prepare for different-looking Rebels

STARKVILLE – Only one guarantee with the Ole Miss men’s basketball team without Marshall Henderson is about 15-20 shots per game have to be accounted for somebody else.

MSU strength coach Balis leaves for Connecticut

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State strength and conditioning coach Matt Balis is leaving his position with the Bulldogs program to take a similar job at Connecticut.

MSU baseball team members take part in mission trip

STARKVILLE – Nick Mingione and Ben Bracewell were convinced they knew what it meant to feel fortunate at what they have in this country and at Mississippi State.