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GREGG ELLIS: Bulldog basketball receiving its due
10/8/2004 12:17:39 AM
Daily Journal
STARKVILLE - Mississippi State no longer has to go out and beg for basketball recognition.
In fact, that hasn't been a problem the last two seasons.
Winning took care of that, and the Bulldogs have been winning big time in recent years.
And by big time, I mean 21-plus wins three years running, a 2004 Southeastern Conference regular-season championship, back-to-back Western Division crowns and a tournament title.
Then when you add three straight NCAA trips and an All-American and Wooden Award candidate in Lawrence Roberts to the rŽsumŽ, what you get is an elite program.
That's Mississippi State, and it's certainly no secret what's happening here. Nor can you call it a one-year wonder.
People are taking notice and doffing their hats at the same time.
Everywhere you turn, from newspapers to magazines and even ESPN, the Bulldogs are being talked about.
Top choice
Most prognosticators are picking MSU to win the West again, as well as to defend its overall title.
Expectations are high. Then again, that's what you get with success.
"As a coach and a player, that's what you work for," said MSU coach Rick Stansbury, who is 126-64 in six years at the helm. "It's good people talk about you, but it doesn't mean anything as far as wins and losses.
"It brings your program a lot of publicity. But everything is decided between the lines. That's what we control."
There's not a single pre-season publication that doesn't have Mississippi State ranked in the Top 20, while most go as far as to rank the Bulldogs in the Top 10.
Just take a look . . .
Street & Smith: No. 10
Blue Ribbon: No. 9
Basketball News: No. 10
Sporting News: No. 7
Lindy's: No. 18
Playboy: No. 12
At the same time, Roberts is on everyone's All-American team, while Sporting News goes as far to say the Bulldogs possess the fourth-best front court and lists Roberts as the nation's top power forward.
"Lawrence Roberts' decision to return to Starkville made the Bulldogs the team to beat in the West once again," Athlon editor Mitch Light said.
Mississippi State's success is also drawing in top-notch recruits.
Charles Rhodes, Walter Sharpe and Jerrell Houston were heavily recruited during their stellar high school careers. All three will contribute this season for the Maroon & White.
As far as this year's commitments, it doesn't get much better than Monte Ellis of Lanier and the Delk twins of Jackson, Tenn., Reginald and Richard. They are also the nephews of former Kentucky and NBA standout Tony Delk.
"Any time positive things are said about you, it helps in recruiting," Stansbury said.
And these days, there are plenty of positives to talk about, even though the start of practice is still a week away.
"It's something this program looks forward to," senior guard Shane Power said of the recognition. "But with that comes another level of responsibility and commitment.
"We'll be wearing the bull's-eye, and because of that, we'll have to raise our level of intensity."
Gregg Ellis (gregg.ellis@djournal.com) covers Mississippi State for The Daily Journal.
Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 10/8/2004 8:00:00 AM, section D , page 5
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