2009-2010 Team Preview: Mississippi State Bulldogs

2008-2009 Record: 23-13, 9-7 SEC (t-5th)

Key Losses: None

Key Returners: Jarvis Varnado (12.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 4.7 bpg), Barry Stewart (12.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Ravern Johnson (12.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Dee Bost (10.9 ppg, 4.3 apg)

Newcomers: Renardo Sidney, John Riek, Shaunessy Smith, Charles Parker, Baxter Price, Wendell Lewis

Jarvis Varnado will be the nation's best shotblocker this season.
(photo credit: Seattle Times)

Without a doubt, Mississippi State is the toughest team in the country to predict right now. Why? Because two of their most important pieces - Renardo Sidney and John Riek - are enormous question marks.

At this point, everyone in the country should know the situation with Sidney. Originally from Mississippi, Sidney spent his last three years in high school in Southern California. It was there that the Sidney family might have gotten themselves in trouble as the NCAA is currently questioning his eligibility as an amateur (click here for more details). Sidney would easily be one of the best freshman in the country. Standing 6'10", 260 lb, Sidney is a complete package on the offensive end. He is able to score in the post, but his face-up and perimeter game is much more developed than most kids his age and size, to the point that it is his strength offensively. Riek is facing a different issue. He has already been cleared to play by the NCAA (after he sits out the first nine games), but he has knee problems. When he was healthy two summers ago, many people had Riek pegged as a lottery pick, and possibly even the first overall pick. Standing 7'2", Riek will be a great addition to the Bulldogs, not only as another shot blocking presence, but to provide depth in the front court.

With Sidney and a healthy Riek joining Jarvis Varnado up front, these Bulldogs are a top 15 team. With them, they may not be the clear cut favorite in the weak SEC West.

Without those two, the Bulldog's fate is going to rest heavily on Varnado's shoulders. As you should know, Varnado is one of the most dominating defensive presences in the country. While standing just 6'9", he has long arms, exceptional timing and body control, and a quick second jump which makes a force around the rim. He will easily break Shaq's SEC record for blocked shots, and has a very real chance of setting the national record (535). Offensively, he is still developing. Varnado's frame is too thin, he has no left hand, and his offensive moves are mechanical, which is the main reason why adding a low post scoring threat like Sidney would be so beneficial for the Bulldogs.

There are four other big men on the Mississippi State roster whose minutes will vary depending on what happens with Sidney. The best of the group is probably 6'8" junior Kodi Augustus. Augustus, who came very close to transferring out of Mississippi State during the off-season, started early on in the season, but was benched midway through the year. Augustus has the ability to play out on the perimeter, giving coach Rick Stansbury some options if he wants to shuffle the line-up. Romero Osby should also see some minutes regardless of how the Sidney situation plays out. At 6'8" and a strong 230 lb, Osby is more of pure post than Augustus, but he can known down a perimeter jumper, which could help stretch the defense and create space inside. Junior Elgin Bailey and freshman Wendell Lewis are both big bodies that give the Bulldogs depth inside.

The perimeter is where the Bulldogs will get the majority of their scoring from. After Augustus was benched, Stansbury went to a four-guard line-up. One of the biggest reason this was successful was freshman point guard Dee Bost. Bost is a quick kid who can get by his defender and into the lane. He is not yet a great shooter, but Bost is fairly adept at drawing fouls as well as finding an open man. If he can cut down a bit on his turnovers (2.8 per game), Bost has a chance to be one of the best point guards in the south.

The Bulldogs have two solid scorers on the perimeter in senior Barry Stewart and junior Ravern Johnson. At 6'3", Stewart is more of on an all-around player. He gets to the line more, he's a better passer, and he is a better defender. That said, Johnson, who is the better shooter, is 6'7" and athletic, which allows Stansbury a bit of versatility with his line-ups. If he decides to go with four guards again, Johnson is the guy that will be forced to play inside. If Sidney does get eligible, the Bulldogs will likely go with a more traditional three guard line-up, using Phil Turner, who moved into a starting role after Augustus was benched, as a reserve. Turner is a tough kid. He is just 6'3", 170 lb, but Turner was the team's second leading rebounder at 5.5 rpg in just 24 mpg. Turner is a solid scorer, as he hit double figures 12 times last season. If Sidney gets eligible, Turner will be a dangerous option coming off the bench. Also expect junior Riley Benock, sophomore Twany Beckham, and freshman Shaunessy Smith to make a push for some back court minutes.

Outlook: As I said earlier, so much of what MSU does this season relies on the amateur standing of Renardo Sidney. If Sidney is granted eligibility by the NCAA, Mississippi State has a real chance of winning the SEC outright as they play in the much weaker West division. Without Sidney, this should still be an NCAA tournament team. Varnado is arguably the best defensive player in the country and the Bulldogs have a very underrated group of perimeter players. That should be enough for 22-25 wins and a bid.