Mississippi State forward Lawrence Roberts predicted he would get 20 points and 20 rebounds against Arkansas.

He wasn't quite that good, but he dismantled the Razorbacks, nonetheless.

Roberts had his way in the paint, getting 29 points and 11 rebounds to keep No. 22 Mississippi State unbeaten with an 80-62 victory Saturday.

Bulldogs coach Rick Stansbury revealed what Roberts told assistant coach Robert Kirby, and Roberts was a little embarrassed when asked about it by reporters.

``I'm just surprised it got out like that,'' he said. ``I was just talking. I didn't mean nothing against Arkansas.

``We just talked about picking it up at both ends. I just told him how hard I was going to go.''

The Bulldogs (13-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) are off to the best start in school history as they head into a key portion of their schedule. Mississippi State hosts No. 7 Kentucky on Tuesday night, then plays road games at LSU and No. 14 Florida.

The addition of Roberts, a 6-foot-9 transfer from Baylor, has made the Bulldogs a serious contender in the SEC.

``I think he's just added another dimension for us,'' said leading-scorer and point guard Timmy Bowers, whose seven-point night was offset by Roberts' huge game.

Billy Pharis scored 18 points to lead Arkansas (8-5, 0-2), which has lost four straight trips to Starkville. Ronnie Brewer had 14 points and seven rebounds.

Shane Power came off the bench to add 14 points for the Bulldogs.

The Razorbacks had no answer for Roberts' combination of power, size and quickness.

He scored on a variety of bullish moves in the first half, on his way to 19 points.

``We tried different things, zoning and we tried to double a little bit. They just had a lot of answers, especially from Roberts,'' Arkansas coach Stan Heath said. ``He was tough to deal with. We weren't able to stop him. We were never able to control him.''

Early in game, Roberts swiped an offensive rebound with one hand and slid down the baseline for a scoop shot.

Moments later, he wrestled away another offensive rebound from the arms of a Razorback and muscled his way in for a layup while getting hammered. He came away from the pack, huffing and puffing and pounding his chest with his fist -- then calmly converted the three-point play.

Arkansas' Kendrick Davis played against Roberts, a Houston native, in high school. Davis said Roberts was more of a perimeter player back then.

``Now, he's a beast down low,'' Davis said.

Pharis, coming off a career-high 21 points against LSU, kept Arkansas close in the first half with 15 points and three 3-pointers.

But Roberts and the Bulldogs were too strong inside. They led 40-33 at halftime and then steadily pulled away.

Consecutive uncontested dunks by 7-footer Marcus Campbell put Mississippi State up 62-46 with 9:13 left.

Roberts hurt his right shoulder early in the second, going for an offensive rebound, but it didn't keep him from getting to the basket.

He finished a fast break with an easy two-handed dunk that made it 69-50 with just under 6 minutes left.

He got up slowly after another scrum on the defensive end with about 3 1/2 minutes left and was done for the day.

Roberts trudged off the court to a loud standing ovation with a season-high for points and his ninth double-double of the season. He finished 11-for-18 from the field, and made all seven of his shots from the free throw line.

He came into the game shooting 54 percent from the line.

Roberts said his shoulder was feeling OK and was a little disappointed that he didn't get to 20-20, but he was satisfied with his effort.

``As far as intensity and energy,'' he said, ``that was my best game.''


After that horrendous football season, I have to say I am really enjoying wearing the Maroon and White right now. Next we have Kentucky at home. ESPN has the game this Tuesday at 7. Should be a great game. Go State..