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Posted: Sunday November 07, 1999 09:10 PM

Mississippi State

1998-99 record

20-13 overall, 8-8 SEC (lost to Colorado State in NIT first round)

Coach

Rick Stansbury, 20-13 (1 year at Mississippi State); 20-13 overall

Projected starting lineup

G Todd Myles, 6-4, Sr. Has big shoes to fill in replacing the conference's leading assist man (5.6 per game) last year, Detrick White. G Michael Gholar, 6-5, So. Good athlete with nice outside shot, must live up to potential to earn and/or keep this spot. C Robert Jackson, 6-8, So. He¹s no Tyrone Washington, who averaged 12.7 points and 8.4 rebounds as a senior last year, but Jackson has some offensive skills (team's fifth-leading scorer last year). F Tang Hamilton, 6-7, Jr. The Bulldogs' leading returning scorer (11.3) and rebounder (5.3), most athletic player on Mississippi State¹s roster. F Marckell Patterson, 6-5, So. Started last 12 games as a freshman and averaged 5.1 points per game as a starter, 3.2 rebounds per game.

Top guy off the bench

F/C Quentin Smith, 6-9, Jr. Size and defensive presence could earn him quality playing time in second stint with the Bulldogs.

Key Newcomer

G Derrick Zimmerman, 6-2, Monroe, La. If Zimmerman can carry over his high school production (he averaged a triple-double his senior season), he could unseat Gholar at the shooting guard spot in a hurry.

Key Games

vs. Stanford (Dec. 21). Bulldogs were hurt by weak non-conference schedule last year; this year they signed up Cardinal. vs. Georgia (Jan. 5). Have beaten Georgia four consecutive in Starkville. vs. Ole Miss (Feb. 23). Always an emotional game.

Outlook

Things got decidely less rosy when Johnathan Bender, who had signed a letter-of-intent with Mississippi State, chose instead to enter the NBA Draft. Mississippi State must move on to a future that includes 10 freshmen and sophomores. "We are a very, very young team," second-year coach Rick Stansbury said. "I like our team. I think this team brings a lot of energy, a lot of spirit and enthusiasm. I think as the year goes on, we're going to get better and better every day." Starting point guard Myles, who briefly quit the team last summer, will be in charge of leading this young group. The Bulldogs are still a bit miffed they didn't get into the NCAA Tournament despite 20 wins and a strong close last year. They probably won't be close enough to the bubble to worry about it this year.

Bulldogs' 1999-00 schedule

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