Busting Brackets
Fansided

Mississippi State Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Bulldogs

By Robert Kennedy

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 23: Head coach Ben Howland of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Rupp Arena on January 23, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 23: Head coach Ben Howland of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Rupp Arena on January 23, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 21: Reggie Perry #1 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs keeps the ball from Malik Fitts #24 of the Saint Mary’s Gaels during the first half of a game in the MGM Resorts Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 21, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 21: Reggie Perry #1 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs keeps the ball from Malik Fitts #24 of the Saint Mary’s Gaels during the first half of a game in the MGM Resorts Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 21, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Reggie Perry – Preseason All-America

Any discussion concerning impact players for the Bulldogs must begin with  6’10” Sophomore Forward, Reggie Perry. Young Mr. Perry has gathered some high praise accolades during the preseason. An article by Mississippi State’s Associate Director of Communications Matt Dunaway lists Perry as a Preseason All-American and SEC First Team selection, for 2019-20.

As a freshman, Perry averaged 23.9 minutes of playing time, shot 50.2 percent from 2 point range and converted 71.6 percent from the free throw line. If you add in 7.2 rebounds per game sprinkled with 25 total blocks and pepper in 19 steals, you have a solid Freshman season. During the off-season, Perry participated in the FIBA Under 19 World Cup and gained valuable playing experience. In an October 3rd Media Day, Coach Howland provided some insight, into Perry’s importance to the upcoming season,

"I think Reggie [Perry] has really grown as a player tremendously from when he first arrived here a year ago last summer. He’s improved in every way. I think he’s really grown as a player already is that I think he’s a much better shooter. His shooting right now has really improved in his jump shot.   We’re running more offense through him. He’s one of our best passers. He’s tremendous at pushing the ball in transition and just making a simple play and the simple passes. He’s a very willing passer, and he loves to make plays for others. I think that’s one of his greatest skills is the ability to pass."

Nick Weatherspoon – All-SEC, 3rd team

The 6’2″ Junior Guard is slated as the starting point guard for Mississippi State. Last year, Nick started 23 games, averaged nearly 28 minutes per game and shot nearly 48 percent from two-point land.  Weatherspoon wasn’t nearly as effective from three-point range, averaging 32.6 percent. But he did knock down 71.5 percent from the free-throw line. Weatherspoon’s effectiveness in the early season slate will be limited due to a 10 game suspension, for violating team rules. This suspension was touched upon in Coach Howland’s Media Day presser.

"I think Nick Weatherspoon is in the best condition of his life. He just hit a 42-inch running vertical measured the other day which is amazing so I’m really excited for Nick. He’s our starting point guard but the first 10 games he will miss we’re going to start Tyson Carter there and back up with Iverson [Molinar]."

Weatherspoon should be back running the Bulldog offense before the SEC slate kicks in. Coach Howland mentions two players in lieu of Weatherspoon. Tyson Carter is a Senior and should grab most of the minutes however, Iverson Molinar is a Freshman. Speaking of Freshmen…

Home/Mississippi State Bulldogs