Ray must start building quickly at MSU

STARKVILLE — Once he accepted the job as Mississippi State University men’s basketball coach, Rick Ray said he returned to Clemson, S.C., with 867 emails and 347 text messages on his cell phone.

The task for MSU’s first new men’s basketball coach in more than 14 years will be to return some of those messages.

Ray wants to win by ‘doing things the right way’

Mississippi State Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin is adamant he didn’t hire a resumé as the school’s new men’s basketball coach. He hired a man.

MSU selects Clemson assistant as next coach

For the first time in nearly 15 years, Mississippi State University has a new men’s basketball coach: Rick Ray.

No. 2 Alabama sweeps MSU softball

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University softball coach Vann Stuedeman tried everything and still came up short Sunday afternoon against her former employer.

Former Bulldogs push for UK’s Payne

Two former Mississippi State University men’s basketball players are the primary reason behind the momentum behind Kenny Payne’s candidacy for the school’s opening for a head coach.

MSU offense comes out ahead in first scrimmage

STARKVILLE — A lot of spectators walked away impressed Saturday with the Mississippi State University football team’s offense.

MSU softball comes close again, falls to No. 2 Alabama

STARKVILLE — The message from the Mississippi State University softball locker room is the team is close.

Unfortunately in the Southeastern Conference and against the No. 2 team in the country, close isn’t good enough.

Bulldogs drop heart-breaker in softball

STARKVILLE — Just that quickly and the losing streak is 24 in a row.

The Mississippi State University softball team, led by former University of Alabama pitching coach Vann Stuedeman, nearly pulled off one of the most significant upsets in program history.

The Bulldogs softball program couldn’t hold a 4-2 lead with just nine outs remaining. Instead, the second-ranked Crimson Tide scored the final three runs of the game to take a dramatic 5-4 victory.

Alabama plated the game-winning run on a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk by MSU relief pitcher Misty Flesher.

MSU AD asks for patience in men’s basketball coach search

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball coaching search process hit the two-week mark Thursday on a confusing note.

MSU Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin released a statement Thursday that, according to sources connected to the search, was intended “to calm the troops” and instill confidence in a fanbase that wants to know why the process has dragged on so long.

Robinson finding home at right tackle

STARKVILLE — Damien Robinson seems to have found a home at right tackle.

After suffering through two seasons of being “in a phone booth” at offensive guard, the Mississippi State University sophomore offensive lineman has a chance this season to replace Addison Lawrence and to return to a tackle position he finds more comfortable.

Dunne’s paths will coverge this weekend

STARKVILLE — Every graduate school student has to complete an internship.

Kelsi Dunne is taking a unique route to fulfilling her obligations.

Drew says no to MSU; Moultrie declares for NBA draft

STARKVILLE — In less than a week, Bryce Drew went from beginning discussions with Mississippi State University about its opening for a men’s basketball coach to taking his name out of consideration for that position.

After talking with MSU officials Monday in Atlanta, Drew has decided to remain men’s basketball coach at Valparaiso University.

Ilyushin putting on show for MSU tennis

STARKVILLE — In tennis, it may take a novice fan longer to identify a program’s best overall player than it does its best drawing card.

The Mississippi State University men’s tennis team has the best of both worlds with Artem Ilyushin.

MSU moves to next phase of practice

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State defensive coordinator Chris Wilson always calls Tuesday’s practice “the first days out of the pajamas and into some work clothes”.

Welcome to the first day of shoulder pads at MSU spring football practice.

“It’s sort of what I expected out there today with the pads on and people moving at a different speeds out here,” Wilson said. “You get to see who really wants to play when you’re getting bodies on bodies.”

Bulldogs hold off Alcorn State

STARKVILLE — The final scoreboard didn’t seem to please Mississippi State University baseball coach John Cohen in the least.

Sidney, Smith no longer with MSU men

STARKVILLE — Renardo Sidney’s three-year stint with the Mississippi State University men’s basketball program is over.

The school confirmed the junior center has signed with an agent and will forego his final season of eligibility in an attempt to play professional basketball.

Murray State signs coach Prohm to extension

STARKVILLE — Monday was a day to cross potential candidates off the list for Mississippi State University’s next men’s basketball coach.

Steve Prohm, who Murray State University officials confirmed in multiple reports was approached by the search firm on Mississippi State’s behalf, signed a contract extension that will pay him $300,000 per year to stay with the Racers through May 2016.

MSU will use spring to learn about RBs

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University football coach Dan Mullen acknowledges he hasn’t had a standout tailback in two of his four spring football practices at the school.

Mullen admitted this week this is one of those seasons.

Stanek, Arkansas even series with MSU

STARKVILLE — Momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher.

The No. 3 University of Arkansas baseball team proved Saturday afternoon that theory fits as sophomore right-handed pitcher Ryne Stanek guided his team to an 8-0 victory against Mississippi State in front of a crowd of 4,554 at Dudy Noble Field.

Bracewell throws bullpen session before game

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University opening night starting pitcher Ben Bracewell might have taken a giant step in his rehabilitation Saturday morning.

The sophomore right-hander, who has been out since March 2 with soreness in his pitching elbow, threw a 30-pitch bullpen session off flat ground approximately three hours before MSU’s 8-0 loss to the University of Arkansas at Dudy Noble Field.