When commenting on his team’s schedule, finally released Monday with just more than two weeks before Game 1 of a truncated 27-game season, Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Ben Howland didn’t mince words.
“I think it is a very, very aggressive schedule for an inexperienced team,” the sixth-year coach said.
The Bulldogs won’t open their 2020-2021 schedule with a cupcake. Instead, they’ll face ACC foe Clemson on Nov. 25 at a neutral site, then Purdue or Liberty the following day, both of which likely would have been NCAA tournament teams a season ago.
MSU lost its top four scorers from a season ago and is expected to rely on underclassmen, such as true freshmen Cameron Matthews and Deivon Smith, to play major minutes early.
“Well the only way to get experience is to go through it and get them out there,” Howland said. “So we are going straight from practice to no scrimmages, no exhibition games and all of the things you have to give you information and getting them used to playing under the lights and playing somebody else. All of those things are thrown out the window this year because of COVID so we have to deal with it like everyone else has to deal with it.
“But again, we have a team that is very young and a lot of kids that haven’t played Division 1 basketball before. So it will be a real baptism.”
Other key nonconference games include neutral site matchups with presumed No. 1 seed Dayton on Dec. 12 and Utah State on Dec. 21. The Bulldogs also host Iowa State on Jan. 30 as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge.
“We have our hands full in terms of our (nonconference) schedule,” Howland said.
MSU plays five of its first seven SEC games at Humphrey Coliseum, then closes by going on the road for seven of its last 11 games, which includes a stretch of four straight road contests.
Rotation coming into place
At least for the first few games against Clemson and Purdue/Liberty, Howland said he expects to utilize an eight to nine-man rotation.
“You throw in that we are so young, guys are going for playing time and producing depth,” Howland said. “It’s why we make practice so competitive.”
In the frontcourt, the primary rotation figures to be made up primarily of Tolu Smith, Abdul Ado, Javian Davis and Jalen Johnson. Howland said Smith is the leading rebounder in practice “by far.” Quinten Post could factor into the rotation at some point, but he’s only been practicing a week after having to miss two weeks previously.
D.J. Stewart figures to fluctuate between the two and three positions, while Matthews will also likely split time between forward and guard. Howland praised Matthews for his ability to screen and to trap without the ball, adding he has one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios on the Bulldogs.
Iverson Molinar, who Howland called the most improved player from last year, and Smith will likely handle point guard duties.
Howland optimistic regarding draft stock of Robert Woodard II, Reggie Perry
With the NBA draft fast approaching on Nov. 18, Howland said all 30 teams from the pro league have reached out to Woodard II, a Columbus native.
“A number of teams relayed to me that it was the best interview that they had of anybody,” Howland said. “He is so mature, handles himself so well, suit and tie and incredibly prepared for each team. He is in a great position to be taken in the latter part of the first round or early in the second round if he is not taken in the first.”
The MSU coach has similar expectations of Perry, the co-Associated Press SEC Player of the Year last season.
“I think Reggie Perry is in a similar situation where a number of teams have him in the late first or early second,” Howland said. “So both of our guys are in very good situations.”
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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