SEC Basketball: Final 2019-20 power rankings for end of the season

By Dakota Cox | Mar 23, 2020

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 12: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts to a mistake by his team in the first half in the game against the Evansville Aces at Rupp Arena on November 12, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 15: Tyson Carter #23 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

5. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State basketball succeeded this season by doing what they usually. They had freshmen contribute along the way, but most of their presence involved veteran leadership. They lost the older Weatherspoon brother, but Nick remained on the team and contributed well. They also relied heavily on the senior guard Tyson Carter as a scorer and facilitator.

The Bulldogs had a team effort that got them through the tough times of the season. Losing four games in a five-game period in the middle of the season put them outside the NCAA Tournament picture, but they were able to fight back to the bubble as the season progressed. A loss to South Carolina late possibly would have been the nail in the coffin, but we won’t know now. They might have won enough games in the SEC Tournament to get back in contention. It’s one of those questions that will remain unanswered.

The Bulldogs were efficient inside, focusing more on shooting twos than threes. Their 32.3% shooting in conference play was slightly below average, but they simply never relied on those shots. They just locked in, made their free throws, and played solid defense without fouling.

We’ll have to see who remains, but this team has the pieces to be dangerous if they get another year of growth.

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