Four Bulldogs Up For Howell, Gillom Trophies
March 04, 2019 | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
by Matt Dunaway, Associate Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State captured four of the six finalists nominations for the 2019 C Spire Howell and Gillom Trophies announced Monday.
The trophies are awarded annually to the best male and female college basketball players in the Magnolia State. Quinndary Weatherspoon, the 2018 Howell Trophy recipient, is MSU's men's nominee whereas Teaira McCowan, Jordan Danberry and Anriel Howard represent the women's program. Mississippi State's Victoria Vivians secured the last four Gillom Trophies.
It marked the second consecutive season that the Bulldogs have secured four of the six finalists which include all three spots on the women's side.
Weatherspoon is joined by Ole Miss' Breein Tyree and Southern Miss' Cortez Edwards vying for the men's award. He is one of 10 finalists for the Jerry West Award given to the nation's top shooting guard.
Weatherspoon has poured in a SEC-leading 20.1 points per game during conference games. The SEC's active leading scorer recently passed Jim Ashmore (1954-55-56-57) for third place on MSU's all-time scoring list and has amassed 1,929 career points heading into the last week of the regular season. Weatherspoon has upped his marks to 22.6 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game sparked by seven games of 20-plus points since the start of February.
Mississippi State has posted consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time since 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. The Bulldogs are in position to secure their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2009.
McCowan was named a semifinalist for the Naismith Award on Monday and remains on the watch lists for the Wade Trophy, Wooden Award and Lisa Leslie Award, given to the nation's top center. She also is in the running for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year after winning the inaugural award last season.
McCowan led the SEC in rebounding at 13.4 rebounds per game and was fifth in the league in scoring at 17.3 points per game this season. She has broken MSU's career records for rebounds (1,404) and double-doubles (63) this year. The Brenham, Texas, native also holds State's record with 10 career SEC weekly honors. Her 65.4 percent field goal percentage is fourth in the nation.
Howard collected her 42nd career double-double on Sunday afternoon as State won its second straight SEC regular-season crown. Howard is sixth among active players nationally with 1,247 career rebounds. She finished ninth in the SEC in scoring (15.9 PPG) and fifth in rebounding (8.4 RPG).
The Atlanta, Georgia, native recorded six games with 20 or more points this year and scored in double figures in 23 contests. She is on the watch list for the Katrina McClain Award, given to the nation's top power forward, and was selected to the Wade, Wooden and Naismith Watch Lists this season.
Jordan Danberry had a breakout season, posting the second-highest scoring average increase in the conference, improving by 10.5 points per contest. She was third on the team, averaging 13.3 points and scored in double figures in 13 of 16 SEC contests. Her 3.6 assists per game ranked ninth in the league, and her 1.9 steals per game were seventh.
The Conway, Arkansas, native opened conference play with a career-best 26 points at Arkansas, breaking her previous single-game high for the fourth time this year. She went on to collect three more 20-point outings in league play.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's and women's basketball programs. Fans also can follow the programs on its social media outlets by searching 'HailStateMBK' and 'HailStateWBK' on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State captured four of the six finalists nominations for the 2019 C Spire Howell and Gillom Trophies announced Monday.
The trophies are awarded annually to the best male and female college basketball players in the Magnolia State. Quinndary Weatherspoon, the 2018 Howell Trophy recipient, is MSU's men's nominee whereas Teaira McCowan, Jordan Danberry and Anriel Howard represent the women's program. Mississippi State's Victoria Vivians secured the last four Gillom Trophies.
It marked the second consecutive season that the Bulldogs have secured four of the six finalists which include all three spots on the women's side.
Weatherspoon is joined by Ole Miss' Breein Tyree and Southern Miss' Cortez Edwards vying for the men's award. He is one of 10 finalists for the Jerry West Award given to the nation's top shooting guard.
Weatherspoon has poured in a SEC-leading 20.1 points per game during conference games. The SEC's active leading scorer recently passed Jim Ashmore (1954-55-56-57) for third place on MSU's all-time scoring list and has amassed 1,929 career points heading into the last week of the regular season. Weatherspoon has upped his marks to 22.6 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game sparked by seven games of 20-plus points since the start of February.
Mississippi State has posted consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time since 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. The Bulldogs are in position to secure their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2009.
McCowan was named a semifinalist for the Naismith Award on Monday and remains on the watch lists for the Wade Trophy, Wooden Award and Lisa Leslie Award, given to the nation's top center. She also is in the running for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year after winning the inaugural award last season.
McCowan led the SEC in rebounding at 13.4 rebounds per game and was fifth in the league in scoring at 17.3 points per game this season. She has broken MSU's career records for rebounds (1,404) and double-doubles (63) this year. The Brenham, Texas, native also holds State's record with 10 career SEC weekly honors. Her 65.4 percent field goal percentage is fourth in the nation.
Howard collected her 42nd career double-double on Sunday afternoon as State won its second straight SEC regular-season crown. Howard is sixth among active players nationally with 1,247 career rebounds. She finished ninth in the SEC in scoring (15.9 PPG) and fifth in rebounding (8.4 RPG).
The Atlanta, Georgia, native recorded six games with 20 or more points this year and scored in double figures in 23 contests. She is on the watch list for the Katrina McClain Award, given to the nation's top power forward, and was selected to the Wade, Wooden and Naismith Watch Lists this season.
Jordan Danberry had a breakout season, posting the second-highest scoring average increase in the conference, improving by 10.5 points per contest. She was third on the team, averaging 13.3 points and scored in double figures in 13 of 16 SEC contests. Her 3.6 assists per game ranked ninth in the league, and her 1.9 steals per game were seventh.
The Conway, Arkansas, native opened conference play with a career-best 26 points at Arkansas, breaking her previous single-game high for the fourth time this year. She went on to collect three more 20-point outings in league play.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's and women's basketball programs. Fans also can follow the programs on its social media outlets by searching 'HailStateMBK' and 'HailStateWBK' on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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