Mississippi State Basketball: Who is the Bulldogs’ most important player in 2017-18?

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have the talent to take a step forwards the NCAA Tournament in 2017-18, but which player has what it takes to lead them there?

Last season, the Mississippi State Bulldogs entered SEC play winning three out of their first four games. With a 13-3 record, most believed this team had a shot at the NCAA Tournament.

Unfortunately, Ben Howland’s team would win just three of their last 14 games and finish the season with a dismal 6-12 record in the SEC.

Heading into 2017-18, however, the expectations for Mississippi State are high. Consistent highly-touted recruiting classes have led to a plethora of talent on the roster, and the lack of clear favorites behind Kentucky mean that it could be their year to step forward.

But who will lead this team to take that next step in 2017-18?

Look no further than junior guard Quinndary Weatherspoon.

Last season, Weatherspoon was thought to have been lost for the season due to a wrist injury but played through it to have a phenomenal year.

The 6’4, 205-pound guard from Canton, Mississippi averaged an impressive 16.5 points, 1.8 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals across 31.9 minutes per game. This is a significant improvement across the board from his freshman campaign, and it should be expected that he improves on it in 2017-18.

The problem with Mississippi State over the last few seasons has been consistency. This team has had the talent to make it to the NCAA Tournament but cannot seem to put it all together and grind out results. The Bulldogs could either be a top six team in the SEC or one of the worst teams in the SEC — you never know what you’re going to get.

However, players like Weatherspoon who have been on this team a few seasons and have shown improvement while playing under Howland can transform “never know what you’re going to get” over the past few seasons into a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

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Keep an eye on Weatherspoon and this team in 2017-18, because the talent and consistency is there to succeed — and Mississippi State is ready.