Generations of signees share differences between past signing days compared to 2012

STARKVILLE — Across the country, hundreds of athletes will sign National Letters of Intent today in front of crowds that can’t await to watch them play big-time college football.

These 17- or 18-year-old student-athletes will be celebrated simply because they will sign a piece of paper.

Generations of signees share differences between past signing days compared to 2012

STARKVILLE — Across the country, hundreds of athletes will sign National Letters of Intent today in front of crowds that can’t await to watch them play big-time college football.

These 17- or 18-year-old student-athletes will be celebrated simply because they will sign a piece of paper.

Starkville High boys beat Neshoba Central; girls lose

STARKVILLE — Senior Night at Starkville High School on Tuesday night stirred a lot of emotions boys basketball coach Greg Carter knew his team would need to overcome.

After a slow start, Starkville did just that in a 76-44 victory against Neshoba Central.

Starkville, Heritage split basketball doubleheader

STARKVILLE — Only one gift Tuesday night seemed appropriate for Starkville Academy girls basketball Glenn Schmidt to give her five seniors: a hug.

After a round of a applause from the capacity crowd at Starkville Academy’s gym, each of the seniors on the team taken out of the team’s 67-32 victory against Heritage Academy.

Stansbury: Sidney’s future not a done deal

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury denied reports a decision has been made on the future of junior center Renardo Sidney.

According to an SNY.tv unnamed source, Sidney will not return to MSU for his final year of eligibility and could pursue either a transfer or professional opportunities. Stansbury, who is in his 14th year season at MSU, said he has not had a conversation with the 6-foot-10 former McDonald’s All-American selection out of high school.

Florida runs past MSU

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The safe bet was the University of Florida men’s basketball team would be tired on the back half of a Thursday-Saturday turnaround.

The common fan wouldn’t have thought No. 14 Florida would have its legs after it rallied from a 16-point deficit to win at the University of Mississippi.

All of those assumption were proved incorrect early and often Saturday as Florida dismantled No. 18 Mississippi State 69-57 for its 16th straight win in the O’Connell Center.

Murphy helps Florida beat MSU

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The one perceived advantage the Mississippi State University men’s basketball team had entering its game Saturday against the University of Florida was at power forward.

That wasn’t the case Saturday.

Bulldogs announce football newcomers

The highly anticipated first news of the 2012 recruiting season is finally official.

Mississippi State University announced Friday morning that defensive end Denico Autry, defensive tackle Quay Evans, center Dylan Holley, offensive lineman Charles Siddoway and offensive lineman Justin Senior officially were enrolled into school this month allowing them to sign financial aid papers and making them eligible for spring practices beginning on March 22.

Bulldogs, Gators meet in showdown of Top 20 powers

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Somehow depth always seems to be a concern for Mississippi State men’s basketball when the Florida Gators pop up on the schedule.

It took only four MSU players in last year’s contest to stop them. The Bulldogs got every one of its points from starters Dee Bost, Renardo Sidney, Kodi Augustus and Ravern Johnson in route to an 71-64 upset victory in a nationally-televised atmosphere at Humphrey Coliseum.

Cohen not fazed that Bulldogs aren’t ranked

STARKVILLE — Fans in Starkville are wondering by the Mississippi State University baseball team was absent from two major preseason polls released this week.

MSU, which finished 15th in the final USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll last season, wasn’t ranked in the 2012 preseason coaches’ poll or the Baseball America preseason rankings despite returning 14 of 16 pitchers who took the mound last season.

“(The rankings are) not what we’re focused on or worried about,” MSU coach John Cohen said Thursday.

MSU beats LSU without edge

STARKVILLE — Fans of the No. 18 Mississippi State University men’s basketball program are getting used to Wednesday night’s script.

In what has been a repeated set of circumstances in a home games in which it is favored, MSU survived an early and late charge to hang on for a 76-71 victory against LSU.

Bost shows complete game against LSU

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State senior Dee Bost has been called a shoot-first point guard.

Bost put that label aside Wednesday night and became more of a facilitator in No. 18 MSU’s 76-71 victory against LSU at Humphrey Coliseum.

Bost, a 6-foot-3 senior guard, was three rebounds and a point from his first career triple-double. The Bob Cousy Award finalist finished with nine points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds in 40. He played the entire game because MSU is without backup point guard DeVille Smith.

Short-handed MSU will play host to LSU

STARKVILLE — One week ago, Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury knocked the table with his fist twice and looked to the sky when asked about his team dodging injuries during the 2011-12 season.

It was almost as if the 14-year veteran knew he had sealed the Bulldogs’ fate.

West Point basketball sweeps New Hope

WEST POINT — West Point High School boys basketball coach Brad Cox admitted to having no clue why his team got off to the start it did Tuesday night against New Hope.

After jumping out to an 18-3 lead and coasting to an 82-59 victory in a Class 5A, Region 2, District 1 game, Cox would like to see starts like that more often.

MSU ‘s Steele fight through early struggles

STARKVILLE — Jalen Steele has had a lot of people tell him he can’t do something.

Between his hometown university not wanting him, the coach he initially signed with getting fired, and the tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee, the 6-foot-3 guard has overcome some bumps along the way.

MSU guard Smith remains in hospital for Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State freshman point guard DeVille Smith has checked into a Jackson area hospital for the second time this season after suffering from symptoms of headaches and dizziness.

Mississippi State basketball team spokesperson Gregg Ellis confirmed Monday that the 5-foot-10 guard entered the hospital Friday and Bulldogs head coach Rick Stansbury said Smith will “absolutely” not participate in either of MSU’s contests this week (vs. LSU Wednesday and at Florida Saturday).

North Pike defensive end makes pledge to join Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — North Pike High School defensive end A.J. Jefferson pledged his services to Mississippi State University late Saturday night.

This news was first reported by the 247Sports.com site that covers the MSU program on Sunday.

Starkville, Canton split basketball tilts

STARKVILLE — The up and down style of Canton was just what the Starkville High School boys basketball team wanted to see Friday night.

Lady Vols stuff Pillow in heavyweight battle

STARKVILLE — Anna Prestidge is the answer to the trivia question: why has the Starkville Academy girls basketball team been so successful? At least that’s what Lady Volunteers coach Glenn Schmidt said after her team’s 40-25 victory over a powerful Pillow Academy squad.

Bulldogs face another road test in Nashville

Two college basketball teams headed in opposite directions will meet in Nashville today.

Unfortunately for Mississippi State, it isn’t the squad on the positive end of that equation.