STARKVILLE — Ben Howland says people probably view him as a defensive coach.
But the first-year Mississippi State men’s basketball team coach has seen his team struggle on defense in its first five games. Howland said when he took over the program in March that his focus was offense and working on shooting fundamentals. He believes the fast-pace offense he is trying to implement will help in the long run.
But practices this week have been all about defense.
“We’re still making mistakes in transition defense, not knowing who’s supposed to be back,” Howland said. “These practices are very, very important, and we’ve got to grow from them.”
MSU (2-3) will try to build off one of its best defensive performances when it plays host to Tennessee-Martin (2-4) at noon Saturday at Humphrey Coliseum.
On Sunday in an 84-70 victory against Missouri State, MSU held the Bears to 32.1 percent (9 of 28) shooting from the field in the first half and 42.9 percent (24 of 56) for the game. MSU is allowing 82.6 points per game. Opponents are shooting 48.2 percent from the field.
Howland said injuries have limited the Bulldogs to nine scholarship players and have prevented them from having the type of practices Howland wants. He said freshman guards Malik Newman and Quinndary Weatherspoon are still learning how to play defense. He feels playing in games is the best way to learn.
“It’s been a difference because in high school, all four years, we played a zone,” Weatherspoon said. “I really wasn’t used to playing man-to-man defense once I got here. But I’m trying to make the transition from zone to man. I know it isn’t going to be easy because we’re playing against better athletes. It’s harder to stay in front of somebody.”
Weatherspoon is averaging 7.2 points, while Newman is averaging 13. Newman was sidelined for three weeks with a turf toe injury. He saw his first action last Monday against Southern. He said his game isn’t where it needs to be. As for his defense, Newman is still adjusting.
“It’s a process,” Newman said. “I think we’re moving at a good pace. The people are bigger, stronger, faster, and they’re smarter. It’s really a mind thing. It’s just up to us.”
Senior center and former Starkville High School standout Gavin Ware leads the Bulldogs with 19.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Tennessee-Martin has won its last two games, including an 83-57 victory against Harris-Stowe on Wednesday.
Senior guard Alex Anderson leads the Skyhawks with 13.8 ppg. Former Starkville High and East Mississippi Community College standout Jacobly Mobley, a junior guard, is averaging 10.2 ppg.
n Howland said sophomore forward Demetrius Houston is still suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team. Houston didn’t travel with MSU last week to Puerto Rico. … Freshman forward Aric Holman should return to practice Dec. 7. Howland said Holman won’t participate in contact, though. Holman tore his anterior cruciate ligament before the season started. … Howland said he hasn’t talked to redshirt freshman quarterback Elijah Staley about playing basketball this season. Staley came to MSU to play football and basketball. He practiced with the basketball team sparingly last season but suffered an injury and never played.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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