Missouri head coach Frank Haith

The Missouri Tigers had a great final year in the Big 12, posting a 30-5 record and winning the conference tournament, but fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in a historic upset to 15th-seeded Norfolk State.  Head coach Frank Haith, now in his second season at the helm of the Tigers, will have to navigate the program’s first season in the SEC with only one returning starter.

That one returner is junior point guard Phil Pressey, whom the media selected as the SEC Preseason Player of the Year.  Pressey would’ve been joined by last year’s explosive sixth man Michael Dixon in the backcourt, but Dixon was dismissed from the Tigers following two separate sexual assaults allegations.  Haith will come some experience to work with, however, as Mizzou’s roster contains six transfers, most notably senior forward Alex Oriahki from UConn and junior guard Earnest Ross from Auburn.

Mizzou came into the year ranked No. 15 in the country and has risen to No. 12 nationally with an 8-1 record.  The Tigers’ only loss came to then-No. 2 Louisville, and their biggest win came over a tough VCU squad.

Senior forward Laurence Bowers has led Missouri so far with 17 points and 7 rebounds per game, while Pressey has contributed 13 points and 5.8 assists per game. 

To listen to the full Missouri basketball profile, click on the link below.

AUDIO: Missouri Basketball Profile [2:41]

Mississippi State head coach Rick Ray

Former Clemson assistant Rick Ray began his first season as the head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in full-fledged rebuilding mode.  Rick Stansbury abruptly retired as head coach following last season, and all of the Bulldogs top players, most notably Arnett Moultrie, followed suit in leaving the program.

With no starters returning and a depleted recruiting class, coach Ray came into the season with a young and inexperienced roster (featuring seven underclassmen) and the lowest of low expectations (the Bulldogs were picked to finish last in the SEC).

So far this season Mississippi State has posted a 3-5 record, going 0-3 at the Maui Invitational and having all three victories coming against underwhelming competition.  Sophomore forward Roquez Johnson had led the Bulldogs to this point, averaging over 13 points and 6 rebounds per game.

To listen to the full Mississippi State basketball update, click on the link below.

AUDIO: Mississippi State Basketball Profile [2:37]

Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy

Ole Miss is entering the 7th season of the Andy Kennedy era and are looking to finally get over the hump and make an NCAA Tournament.  The Rebels won 20 games a year ago and finished in 6th in the SEC (8-8 record in conference play), but were relegated to the NIT for the 5th time in Kennedy’s six seasons.

This could be the year Ole Miss finally breaks through and makes it to the Big Dance for the first time since 2002, with four starters returning including Irmo native Murphy Holloway, and a roster full of experienced upperclassmen.

Holloway has helped lead the Rebels to an unblemished 6-0 start, with their biggest win coming over Rutgers in the SEC/Big East Challenge, averaging over 16 points and 10 rebounds per game.  Junior college transfer Marshall Henderson has led Ole Miss in scoring so far with over 17 points per game to go along with Holloway and fellow senior Reginald Buckner, who is averaging 10 points per game.

Ole Miss has their next game Saturday on the road against Middle Tennessee State.  To listen to the full Ole Miss basketball profile, click on the link below.

AUDIO: Ole Miss Basketball Profile [3:28]