SEC Basketball: In-depth conference preview

By Stuart Gill | Nov 3, 2016

Mar 13, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari shouts during the second half of the championship game against Texas A&M Aggies of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky Wildcats won 82-77. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

9 of 16

Feb 27, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Duane Notice (10) and Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (11) battle for the ball during the first half of the game at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Mississippi State Bulldogs

2015-16 record: 14-17 overall, 7-11 in SEC

Head coach: Ben Howland

Notable departures: Gavin Ware, Craig Sword, Malik Newman, Fred Thomas

Notable returnees: Quinndary Weatherspoon, I.J. Ready, Aric Holman

Notable newcomers: Four-star SF Mario Kegler, four-star C Schnider Herard, Four-star SG Eli Wright, four-star C Abdulhakim Ado, four-star PG Tyson Carter, four-star PG Lamar Peters, three-star C E.J. Datcher, Louisiana Tech transfer G Xavian Stapleton, redshirt four-star freshman Joe Strugg, F Abdul Ado

The Bulldogs return a healthy backcourt with sophomore Quinndary Weatherspoon leading the way. Their inconsistencies in the front court will persist however, as head coach Ben Howland has failed to secure a reliable scoring big man.

The Bulldogs have an excellent recruiting class coming to Starkville, so expect this team to take a while to gell as a unit.

Home/SEC