Saturday, January 9
Nashville, Tenn.
12:00 PM
Mississippi State
at
Vanderbilt
Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Gameday: Five Things to Know about MSU-Vanderbilt
January 08, 2021 | Men's Basketball
by Matt Dunaway, Associate Director/Communications
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The Mississippi State men's basketball team makes a brief return to the road ahead of a three-game homestand with a trip to the Music City to square off with Vanderbilt from Memorial Gym on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (7-4, 2-1 SEC) head into this weekend's action in a four-way tie with Florida, LSU and Tennessee for fourth place in the SEC standings.
Last time out, Mississippi State protected its home floor and picked up a signature win over No. 13 Missouri en route to a 78-63 triumph. The 15-point decision marked the second-biggest margin of victory over a top 15 opponent and the fifth-largest margin of victory over a ranked foe in program history.
The Bulldogs erased a 12-point halftime deficit to match their largest intermission reversal under sixth-year coach Ben Howland. It also marked the third time that State has wiped away a 10-plus point halftime hole and the 11th time overall versus a ranked SEC program going back to 1980-81. The 12-point halftime comeback trails only a 16-point reversal that the Bulldogs overcame to defeat No. 6 Kentucky (01/05/2002) against ranked SEC opponents.
D.J. Stewart Jr. and Iverson Molinar combined for 36 of the team's 51 points on a collective 14-of-20 shooting performance during the second half. At one point, the duo piled up 24 straight points for State from the 17:39 mark to the 8:50 mark. Both players reached the 20-point mark for the fourth time this season and for the fifth time in their careers.
A balanced offensive attack has been a successful formula for Mississippi State in 2020-21 as the Bulldogs have posted a 5-1 record when four players or more reach double figures.
A win over Vanderbilt would vault Mississippi State its first 3-1 SEC start dating back to the 2016-17 season. It also would give the Bulldogs two consecutive road wins in their first two SEC games for the fourth time during the 2000s. State accomplished the feat in 2003-04, 2007-08 and 2016-17.
MSU-VANDERBILT HARDWOOD SERIES
Mississippi State has won its last two and three of its last four over Vanderbilt since the 2017-18 campaign. However, the Commodores possess a 79-51 overall series advantage on the strength of a 48-10 margin on the Vanderbilt campus.
The Bulldogs dialed up an 80-70 victory (02/08/2020) last season and took a 71-55 decision during their last trip to Nashville (01/19/2019). Reggie Perry delivered 25 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four blocks followed by Nick Weatherspoon's 21 points and six rebounds in Starkville. The reigning SEC Sixth Man of the Year, Tyson Carter, added 16 points and two steals.
The 16-point win in 2018-19 was the program's second-largest margin of victory at Vanderbilt. State is shooting for consecutive wins over the Commodores in Nashville for the second time in program history, the only time State accomplished the feat was during the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons.
The Matchup: Mississippi State (7-4, 2-1 SEC) vs. Vanderbilt (4-4, 0-2 SEC)
Where: Nashville, Tennessee – Memorial Gym
When: Saturday, January 9, 12:00 p.m. CT
Live Stats: StatBroadcast (https://hailst.at/MBKLiveStats)
TV: SEC Network
Talent: Dave Neal, Jon Sundvold
DirecTV: Ch. 611, Dish: Ch. 404/408, AT&T U-Verse: Ch. 1607, MaxxSouth: Ch. 1026, C Spire: Ch. 220
Online: Watch ESPN app & Watch ESPN online (Cable Subscription Required)
(http://hailst.at/MSUvsVandy010921)
Radio: Mississippi State Sports Network – Powered by Learfield IMG College
Talent: Neil Price
Affiliates: WKBB-FM 100.9 Starkville/West Point (Full List: https://hailst.at/MBKAffiliates)
Free Online Audio: Hail State Plus (https://hailst.at/MBKListen); Tune-In Radio App (https://hailst.at/MBKTuneIn)
Sirius/XM: Ch. 382 (XM), Ch. 972 (Internet)
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE
1. Mississippi State has garnered 20+ overall wins in three straight seasons and captured 10+ SEC victories during back-to-back campaigns under sixth-year coach Ben Howland. The Bulldogs have amassed 75 victories since the start of the 2017-18 season which is fourth-most in the SEC, only behind Auburn (87), Kentucky (84) and Tennessee (82). This year's squad will look to join the 1960-61, 1961-62 and 1962-63 teams as the only group in program history to win 10+ SEC games in three consecutive seasons.
Howland along with assistant coaches George Brooks, Korey McCray and Ernie Zeigler are in their sixth season together in Starkville during the 2020-21 season. The Bulldogs coaching quartet of head coach and three assistants is one of eight staffs in the country to remain together at the same school for the last six seasons. The other staffs include Michigan State (11th) led by Tom Izzo, West Virginia (9th) led by Bob Huggins, UAlbany (9th) led by Will Brown, Kansas (7th) led by Bill Self, Oregon (7th) led by Dana Altman, Vermont (7th) led by John Becker and Bradley (6th) led by Brian Wardle.
2. Iverson Molinar, Tolu Smith and D.J. Stewart Jr. are etching their names among the notable freshmen-to-sophomore jumps at Mississippi State, under Ben Howland and in the SEC over the last decade. The trio has piled up 28 games in double figures, headed by eight outings of 20-plus points.
Molinar, Smith and Stewart Jr. have racked up 50.1 points per game, which is second-most in the SEC only behind LSU's Cameron Thomas, Trendon Watford and Javonte Smart.
Molinar (18.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.1 SPG) has notched double figures in all eight of his outings in 2020-21 and during 12 of his 16 career starts. MSU has racked up an 11-2 record when Molinar provides 10-plus points in his career. His 20.3 points per game in conference play, fueled by a career-best 24 points at Georgia (12/30) and a 20-point outing against No. 13 Missouri (01/05) is tied with Stewart Jr. for third place among the SEC leaders. The Panama native has piled up six of his top seven career scoring efforts this season.
Molinar's 18.6 points per game would rank fourth in the SEC rankings if he qualified. His 12.7 points per game improvement from his freshmen to his sophomore season is tops among SEC players this season and second-highest over the last decade slightly behind of current Toronto Raptors guard Terence Davis of Ole Miss in 2016-17 (+13.1).
Stewart Jr. (18.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.5 APG) has captured seven of his top eight career scoring performances in 2020-21. The Bulldogs have posted a 18-7 record when he scores 10-plus points during his career. Stewart Jr. exploded for a career-high and SEC season's best 32 points on 13-of-22 shooting versus Dayton (12/12). The Grace, Mississippi, native has joined Gavin Ware (2015-16) as the only MSU players during the 2000s to start a season with 11 straight games of 10-plus points. He is one of eight players and the only sophomore or younger to accomplish the feat since 1982-83. Stewart Jr.'s 18.8 points per game are third on the SEC leaderboard. He and Molinar is two of six SEC players to have four games of 20-plus points this season.
Another game of 10-plus points for Molinar and Stewart Jr. would extend the duo's run to its first nine appearances of the season in double figures. Prior to this season, the last MSU pair to register a nine-game streak to start the season in double figures was Cameron Burns and Greg Carter during the program's 1990-91 SEC regular season championship season. Molinar and Stewart Jr. would be the first to accomplish the feat as freshmen or sophomores since Rickey Brown and Ray White in 1976-77.
Smith (12.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.1 BPG) has collected nine games in double figures during his first season in Maroon and White. Prior to his time at MSU, his previous career-high was nine points against West Virginia (11/16/2018) while at Western Kentucky.
Smith paces all SEC players with four double-doubles on the season, most recently a 13-point, 12-rebound effort against Mississippi Valley State (12/21). His 8.9 rebounds are second, whereas his 3.9 offensive rebounds per game coupled with his five games of 10-plus boards headline the SEC.
3. Abdul Ado (5.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.0 BPG), the SEC's active leader in blocks and rebounds, is scheduled to make his 109th career start during Saturday's Vanderbilt game. The 109 starts are good enough for sole possession of sixth place going back to the 1986-87 season. He ranks first among Power five players and fourth overall among NCAA active players in blocks followed by a 12th place showing among active Power 5 players in rebounds.
Ado has ranked among the SEC's top 10 in blocks shots during all four seasons and his 2.0 blocks per game are fourth this season. Overall, Ado has piled up 204 career blocks, which ranks third in program history. His 1.87 career blocks per game also is third in program history, only behind NCAA all-time leader Jarvis Varnado and Erick Dampier. The Nigeria native moved into third place and eclipsed 200 career blocks with four rejections versus Kentucky (01/02).
Ado is Mississippi State's all-time field goal percentage leader heading into the Vanderbilt contest among players with at least 250 baskets made. His 59.8 career shooting clip also checks in sixth among active Power 5 players and is tied for 13th highest overall among the NCAA active players.
4. Mississippi State's roster features a talented group of newcomers. The freshmen class is ignited by Deivon Smith (4.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.4 APG) and Cameron Matthews (2.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 SPG), who became the first freshmen tandem to start a MSU season opener since Tyson Carter and Mario Kegler during the 2016-17 season.
Smith, the eighth ESPN top 100 signee to play with the Bulldogs under head coach Ben Howland, exploded for a career-best 13 points. He also handed out three assists and added two steals in his home state at Georgia (12/30). Smith has tallied 7.0 points per game in three SEC games. Over his last nine outings, Matthews has dished out 18 assists against seven turnovers.
MSU's freshmen class also features Keondre Montgomery and Derek Fountain, who coupled with Matthews, are the state of Mississippi's top three prospects for the Class of 2020. Montgomery and Fountain sank their first career baskets against Texas State (11/30) and Jackson State (12/08), respectively.
5. The Bulldogs also have received solid contributions from Jalen Johnson (7.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG), Javian Davis (4.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG) and Quinten Post (3.3 PPG, 1.5 RPG).
Johnson has piled up 1,146 points and 524 rebounds over 110 career games with his previous stops being at Saint Louis and Louisiana-Lafayette. He has amassed 55 career outings of 10-plus points and 11 outings of 20-plus points. Johnson has upped his averages to 10.8 points per game and knocked down 12 of his 17 treys over his last five games since being inserted in the starting lineup.
Davis posted 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game over his 31 appearances as a redshirt freshmen at Alabama in 2019-20. His top Bama performance was a 20-point, 10-rebound effort against South Carolina (02/29/2020). Davis has upped his marks to 5.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game over his last six outings. He chipped in five points, seven rebounds and two assists versus Kentucky (01/02).
Post fired in a career-best 10 points versus Mississippi Valley State (12/21) to claim his first career game in double figures. He provided nine points to go along with career-bests of five rebounds, three assists and two blocks during the Texas State game (11/30). He tacked on six points and a steal against Dayton (12/12) and has scored in 10 of his 18 career appearances at Mississippi State.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
The Commodores have won four of their six home decisions but have dropped their first two in SEC action to Florida (91-72 on 12/30) and at Kentucky (80-77 on 01/05).
Scotty Pippen Jr. (22.0 PPG, 5.0 APG, 1.6 SPG) has fired in 20-plus points in five of the team's eight outings. The five games of 20-plus points and his 22.0 points per game average are both second on the SEC leaderboard. Pippen Jr. is coming off an 18-point, 8-rebound and 8-assist performance at Kentucky (01/05) and also secured 18 points, six assists and three steals versus Florida (01/02).
Dylan Disu (12.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.0 BPG) heads into Saturday's action as the SEC's leading rebounder. He has garnered a trio of double-doubles on the season, most recently 18 points and 10 rebounds at Kentucky (01/05).
Myles Stute (11.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG) has been a welcomed addition to the Vanderbilt lineup after he missed four of the team's six non-conference games. He has notched double figures in his last three outings. The Pippen Jr.-Disu-Stute combo has connected for 41 of the team's 75 treys this season.
Jordan Wright (8.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG) has been the Commodores top performer off the bench. He has chipped in three games of 10-plus points, highlighted by a 17-point effort against Richmond (12/16). Wright collected 18 points aided by three triples and grabbed eight rebounds at Kentucky (01/05).
FROM THE BENCH – BEN HOWLAND MEDIA SESSION
Q: You went to a three-guard lineup with Deivon [Smith] playing alongside Iverson [Molinar] and D.J. [Stewart Jr.] during the second half against Missouri. How much have you seen Deivon develop at the beginning of SEC play?
BH: "I thought he did a really good job for us the other night against Missouri. Down the stretch, he was definitely a key component to us building on the lead that we finally got. I thought his defense in particular was really impressive. He did a very good job defending against [Xavier] Pinson. So, I'm excited to see his growth, and I'm sure it will continue."
Q: What has the team been like since beating Missouri?
BH: "Yesterday was the first day – we had 11 straight days where we had a day off prior to that 11-day stretch then all the way, so basically 11 straight days. Yesterday, I didn't see one player. I told them that I didn't want anybody to come to the building. They needed to have a day off. There was so much emotion after that win [over Missouri]. I know the guys didn't get to sleep real early, so it was really nice that they had an entire day off to rest. We had them in the [Thursday] morning for some shooting and some lifting. Then, we're practicing here in a bit. I know that they're obviously really excited about that win. I'm glad they got a chance to have a day off to kind of celebrate it, but now it's off to the task at hand which is Vanderbilt."
Q: What steps do you think your team took forward from the Missouri win?
BH: "I think the biggest thing is learning that, hey, we were down 14 [points] early in the second half and came back and won the game by 15 [points]. I said 'You never quit, and you never hang your head. You never stop playing as hard as you possibly can. You've got to do that for 40 minutes.' When you do that, good things happen. We really got on a roll. D.J. [Stewart Jr.] had six shots in a row that he made and really was the catalyst to bringing us back from down 14 along with what Iverson [Molinar] was doing offensively. But our team defense, we created an offense with our defense and got some easy transition buckets and some big plays."
"Again, I can't emphasize enough again, the reason why this was such a big win is because Missouri is so very good. Missouri is really a good team, and they're a problem for anybody that has to play them. They're very experienced, very smart, excellent talent and very well-coached. That is was what made it extra special. We beat a team that was [ranked] 10 in the [NCAA] Net going into that game."
Q: Do you think Iverson [Molinar] and D.J. [Stewart Jr.] is the most explosive backcourt in the SEC?
BH: "I've been singing their praises for a long time and we'll just let the chips a little bit falls where they land now. We've got plenty of games left to play. You guys have to write the articles and do the telecasts, but I've been saying it. I think they're both really special and we're really blessed to have them as our back court, and I wouldn't trade them for anybody."
Q: What have you seen out of Vanderbilt, and what do you feel your team has to do to be successful up there on Saturday?
BH: "They had a great chance to win at Rupp Arena the other night. They played the game right before we played Missouri. I watched that film in its entirety yesterday. I was really impressed with Vanderbilt, especially offensively how they spread the floor. They have so many guys who can shoot the three. Both [Dylan] Disu, who is their starting five man now essentially, and [Myles] Shute, who is starting at the four, are great three-point shooters. That's what makes it so difficult because it really stretches our bigs away from the basket."
"Scotty Pippen [Jr.] has just been tremendous for them. I think he's the second leading scorer in our conference. A really heady, smart point guard. I thought Jordan Wright played very well against Kentucky the other night. I think he had 17 points and was 3-for-3 from three. He played very well against us last year. I like him. And [Maxwell] Evans is a guy that you always want to worry about because I remember watching him score 25 points in the first half against LSU a year ago when they beat LSU at home."
"They have good pieces. They're young, the big kid they added, number 42 [Quentin Millora-Brown] is playing well for him. He transferred from Rice University. Also, D.J. Harvey, a transfer from Notre Dame. They're a team that's going to be very difficult to defend, number one. They do a lot of things defensively. They'll run and trap across half court. They'll trap the first pass. They'll play some zone, they'll press. So, they're very well-coached and really have a lot of cute little sets and things that they do that iso their best players. We're going to have our hands full."
UP NEXT
First up on Mississippi State's upcoming three-game homestand is Texas A&M on Wednesday. Tip time is on-tap for 8 p.m. CT from Humphrey Coliseum, televised by SEC Network and available online courtesy of the Watch ESPN app.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The Mississippi State men's basketball team makes a brief return to the road ahead of a three-game homestand with a trip to the Music City to square off with Vanderbilt from Memorial Gym on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (7-4, 2-1 SEC) head into this weekend's action in a four-way tie with Florida, LSU and Tennessee for fourth place in the SEC standings.
Last time out, Mississippi State protected its home floor and picked up a signature win over No. 13 Missouri en route to a 78-63 triumph. The 15-point decision marked the second-biggest margin of victory over a top 15 opponent and the fifth-largest margin of victory over a ranked foe in program history.
The Bulldogs erased a 12-point halftime deficit to match their largest intermission reversal under sixth-year coach Ben Howland. It also marked the third time that State has wiped away a 10-plus point halftime hole and the 11th time overall versus a ranked SEC program going back to 1980-81. The 12-point halftime comeback trails only a 16-point reversal that the Bulldogs overcame to defeat No. 6 Kentucky (01/05/2002) against ranked SEC opponents.
D.J. Stewart Jr. and Iverson Molinar combined for 36 of the team's 51 points on a collective 14-of-20 shooting performance during the second half. At one point, the duo piled up 24 straight points for State from the 17:39 mark to the 8:50 mark. Both players reached the 20-point mark for the fourth time this season and for the fifth time in their careers.
A balanced offensive attack has been a successful formula for Mississippi State in 2020-21 as the Bulldogs have posted a 5-1 record when four players or more reach double figures.
A win over Vanderbilt would vault Mississippi State its first 3-1 SEC start dating back to the 2016-17 season. It also would give the Bulldogs two consecutive road wins in their first two SEC games for the fourth time during the 2000s. State accomplished the feat in 2003-04, 2007-08 and 2016-17.
MSU-VANDERBILT HARDWOOD SERIES
Mississippi State has won its last two and three of its last four over Vanderbilt since the 2017-18 campaign. However, the Commodores possess a 79-51 overall series advantage on the strength of a 48-10 margin on the Vanderbilt campus.
The Bulldogs dialed up an 80-70 victory (02/08/2020) last season and took a 71-55 decision during their last trip to Nashville (01/19/2019). Reggie Perry delivered 25 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four blocks followed by Nick Weatherspoon's 21 points and six rebounds in Starkville. The reigning SEC Sixth Man of the Year, Tyson Carter, added 16 points and two steals.
The 16-point win in 2018-19 was the program's second-largest margin of victory at Vanderbilt. State is shooting for consecutive wins over the Commodores in Nashville for the second time in program history, the only time State accomplished the feat was during the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons.
The Matchup: Mississippi State (7-4, 2-1 SEC) vs. Vanderbilt (4-4, 0-2 SEC)
Where: Nashville, Tennessee – Memorial Gym
When: Saturday, January 9, 12:00 p.m. CT
Live Stats: StatBroadcast (https://hailst.at/MBKLiveStats)
TV: SEC Network
Talent: Dave Neal, Jon Sundvold
DirecTV: Ch. 611, Dish: Ch. 404/408, AT&T U-Verse: Ch. 1607, MaxxSouth: Ch. 1026, C Spire: Ch. 220
Online: Watch ESPN app & Watch ESPN online (Cable Subscription Required)
(http://hailst.at/MSUvsVandy010921)
Radio: Mississippi State Sports Network – Powered by Learfield IMG College
Talent: Neil Price
Affiliates: WKBB-FM 100.9 Starkville/West Point (Full List: https://hailst.at/MBKAffiliates)
Free Online Audio: Hail State Plus (https://hailst.at/MBKListen); Tune-In Radio App (https://hailst.at/MBKTuneIn)
Sirius/XM: Ch. 382 (XM), Ch. 972 (Internet)
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE
1. Mississippi State has garnered 20+ overall wins in three straight seasons and captured 10+ SEC victories during back-to-back campaigns under sixth-year coach Ben Howland. The Bulldogs have amassed 75 victories since the start of the 2017-18 season which is fourth-most in the SEC, only behind Auburn (87), Kentucky (84) and Tennessee (82). This year's squad will look to join the 1960-61, 1961-62 and 1962-63 teams as the only group in program history to win 10+ SEC games in three consecutive seasons.
Howland along with assistant coaches George Brooks, Korey McCray and Ernie Zeigler are in their sixth season together in Starkville during the 2020-21 season. The Bulldogs coaching quartet of head coach and three assistants is one of eight staffs in the country to remain together at the same school for the last six seasons. The other staffs include Michigan State (11th) led by Tom Izzo, West Virginia (9th) led by Bob Huggins, UAlbany (9th) led by Will Brown, Kansas (7th) led by Bill Self, Oregon (7th) led by Dana Altman, Vermont (7th) led by John Becker and Bradley (6th) led by Brian Wardle.
2. Iverson Molinar, Tolu Smith and D.J. Stewart Jr. are etching their names among the notable freshmen-to-sophomore jumps at Mississippi State, under Ben Howland and in the SEC over the last decade. The trio has piled up 28 games in double figures, headed by eight outings of 20-plus points.
Molinar, Smith and Stewart Jr. have racked up 50.1 points per game, which is second-most in the SEC only behind LSU's Cameron Thomas, Trendon Watford and Javonte Smart.
Molinar (18.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.1 SPG) has notched double figures in all eight of his outings in 2020-21 and during 12 of his 16 career starts. MSU has racked up an 11-2 record when Molinar provides 10-plus points in his career. His 20.3 points per game in conference play, fueled by a career-best 24 points at Georgia (12/30) and a 20-point outing against No. 13 Missouri (01/05) is tied with Stewart Jr. for third place among the SEC leaders. The Panama native has piled up six of his top seven career scoring efforts this season.
Molinar's 18.6 points per game would rank fourth in the SEC rankings if he qualified. His 12.7 points per game improvement from his freshmen to his sophomore season is tops among SEC players this season and second-highest over the last decade slightly behind of current Toronto Raptors guard Terence Davis of Ole Miss in 2016-17 (+13.1).
Stewart Jr. (18.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.5 APG) has captured seven of his top eight career scoring performances in 2020-21. The Bulldogs have posted a 18-7 record when he scores 10-plus points during his career. Stewart Jr. exploded for a career-high and SEC season's best 32 points on 13-of-22 shooting versus Dayton (12/12). The Grace, Mississippi, native has joined Gavin Ware (2015-16) as the only MSU players during the 2000s to start a season with 11 straight games of 10-plus points. He is one of eight players and the only sophomore or younger to accomplish the feat since 1982-83. Stewart Jr.'s 18.8 points per game are third on the SEC leaderboard. He and Molinar is two of six SEC players to have four games of 20-plus points this season.
Another game of 10-plus points for Molinar and Stewart Jr. would extend the duo's run to its first nine appearances of the season in double figures. Prior to this season, the last MSU pair to register a nine-game streak to start the season in double figures was Cameron Burns and Greg Carter during the program's 1990-91 SEC regular season championship season. Molinar and Stewart Jr. would be the first to accomplish the feat as freshmen or sophomores since Rickey Brown and Ray White in 1976-77.
Smith (12.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.1 BPG) has collected nine games in double figures during his first season in Maroon and White. Prior to his time at MSU, his previous career-high was nine points against West Virginia (11/16/2018) while at Western Kentucky.
Smith paces all SEC players with four double-doubles on the season, most recently a 13-point, 12-rebound effort against Mississippi Valley State (12/21). His 8.9 rebounds are second, whereas his 3.9 offensive rebounds per game coupled with his five games of 10-plus boards headline the SEC.
3. Abdul Ado (5.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.0 BPG), the SEC's active leader in blocks and rebounds, is scheduled to make his 109th career start during Saturday's Vanderbilt game. The 109 starts are good enough for sole possession of sixth place going back to the 1986-87 season. He ranks first among Power five players and fourth overall among NCAA active players in blocks followed by a 12th place showing among active Power 5 players in rebounds.
Ado has ranked among the SEC's top 10 in blocks shots during all four seasons and his 2.0 blocks per game are fourth this season. Overall, Ado has piled up 204 career blocks, which ranks third in program history. His 1.87 career blocks per game also is third in program history, only behind NCAA all-time leader Jarvis Varnado and Erick Dampier. The Nigeria native moved into third place and eclipsed 200 career blocks with four rejections versus Kentucky (01/02).
Ado is Mississippi State's all-time field goal percentage leader heading into the Vanderbilt contest among players with at least 250 baskets made. His 59.8 career shooting clip also checks in sixth among active Power 5 players and is tied for 13th highest overall among the NCAA active players.
4. Mississippi State's roster features a talented group of newcomers. The freshmen class is ignited by Deivon Smith (4.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.4 APG) and Cameron Matthews (2.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 SPG), who became the first freshmen tandem to start a MSU season opener since Tyson Carter and Mario Kegler during the 2016-17 season.
Smith, the eighth ESPN top 100 signee to play with the Bulldogs under head coach Ben Howland, exploded for a career-best 13 points. He also handed out three assists and added two steals in his home state at Georgia (12/30). Smith has tallied 7.0 points per game in three SEC games. Over his last nine outings, Matthews has dished out 18 assists against seven turnovers.
MSU's freshmen class also features Keondre Montgomery and Derek Fountain, who coupled with Matthews, are the state of Mississippi's top three prospects for the Class of 2020. Montgomery and Fountain sank their first career baskets against Texas State (11/30) and Jackson State (12/08), respectively.
5. The Bulldogs also have received solid contributions from Jalen Johnson (7.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG), Javian Davis (4.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG) and Quinten Post (3.3 PPG, 1.5 RPG).
Johnson has piled up 1,146 points and 524 rebounds over 110 career games with his previous stops being at Saint Louis and Louisiana-Lafayette. He has amassed 55 career outings of 10-plus points and 11 outings of 20-plus points. Johnson has upped his averages to 10.8 points per game and knocked down 12 of his 17 treys over his last five games since being inserted in the starting lineup.
Davis posted 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game over his 31 appearances as a redshirt freshmen at Alabama in 2019-20. His top Bama performance was a 20-point, 10-rebound effort against South Carolina (02/29/2020). Davis has upped his marks to 5.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game over his last six outings. He chipped in five points, seven rebounds and two assists versus Kentucky (01/02).
Post fired in a career-best 10 points versus Mississippi Valley State (12/21) to claim his first career game in double figures. He provided nine points to go along with career-bests of five rebounds, three assists and two blocks during the Texas State game (11/30). He tacked on six points and a steal against Dayton (12/12) and has scored in 10 of his 18 career appearances at Mississippi State.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
The Commodores have won four of their six home decisions but have dropped their first two in SEC action to Florida (91-72 on 12/30) and at Kentucky (80-77 on 01/05).
Scotty Pippen Jr. (22.0 PPG, 5.0 APG, 1.6 SPG) has fired in 20-plus points in five of the team's eight outings. The five games of 20-plus points and his 22.0 points per game average are both second on the SEC leaderboard. Pippen Jr. is coming off an 18-point, 8-rebound and 8-assist performance at Kentucky (01/05) and also secured 18 points, six assists and three steals versus Florida (01/02).
Dylan Disu (12.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.0 BPG) heads into Saturday's action as the SEC's leading rebounder. He has garnered a trio of double-doubles on the season, most recently 18 points and 10 rebounds at Kentucky (01/05).
Myles Stute (11.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG) has been a welcomed addition to the Vanderbilt lineup after he missed four of the team's six non-conference games. He has notched double figures in his last three outings. The Pippen Jr.-Disu-Stute combo has connected for 41 of the team's 75 treys this season.
Jordan Wright (8.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG) has been the Commodores top performer off the bench. He has chipped in three games of 10-plus points, highlighted by a 17-point effort against Richmond (12/16). Wright collected 18 points aided by three triples and grabbed eight rebounds at Kentucky (01/05).
FROM THE BENCH – BEN HOWLAND MEDIA SESSION
Q: You went to a three-guard lineup with Deivon [Smith] playing alongside Iverson [Molinar] and D.J. [Stewart Jr.] during the second half against Missouri. How much have you seen Deivon develop at the beginning of SEC play?
BH: "I thought he did a really good job for us the other night against Missouri. Down the stretch, he was definitely a key component to us building on the lead that we finally got. I thought his defense in particular was really impressive. He did a very good job defending against [Xavier] Pinson. So, I'm excited to see his growth, and I'm sure it will continue."
Q: What has the team been like since beating Missouri?
BH: "Yesterday was the first day – we had 11 straight days where we had a day off prior to that 11-day stretch then all the way, so basically 11 straight days. Yesterday, I didn't see one player. I told them that I didn't want anybody to come to the building. They needed to have a day off. There was so much emotion after that win [over Missouri]. I know the guys didn't get to sleep real early, so it was really nice that they had an entire day off to rest. We had them in the [Thursday] morning for some shooting and some lifting. Then, we're practicing here in a bit. I know that they're obviously really excited about that win. I'm glad they got a chance to have a day off to kind of celebrate it, but now it's off to the task at hand which is Vanderbilt."
Q: What steps do you think your team took forward from the Missouri win?
BH: "I think the biggest thing is learning that, hey, we were down 14 [points] early in the second half and came back and won the game by 15 [points]. I said 'You never quit, and you never hang your head. You never stop playing as hard as you possibly can. You've got to do that for 40 minutes.' When you do that, good things happen. We really got on a roll. D.J. [Stewart Jr.] had six shots in a row that he made and really was the catalyst to bringing us back from down 14 along with what Iverson [Molinar] was doing offensively. But our team defense, we created an offense with our defense and got some easy transition buckets and some big plays."
"Again, I can't emphasize enough again, the reason why this was such a big win is because Missouri is so very good. Missouri is really a good team, and they're a problem for anybody that has to play them. They're very experienced, very smart, excellent talent and very well-coached. That is was what made it extra special. We beat a team that was [ranked] 10 in the [NCAA] Net going into that game."
Q: Do you think Iverson [Molinar] and D.J. [Stewart Jr.] is the most explosive backcourt in the SEC?
BH: "I've been singing their praises for a long time and we'll just let the chips a little bit falls where they land now. We've got plenty of games left to play. You guys have to write the articles and do the telecasts, but I've been saying it. I think they're both really special and we're really blessed to have them as our back court, and I wouldn't trade them for anybody."
Q: What have you seen out of Vanderbilt, and what do you feel your team has to do to be successful up there on Saturday?
BH: "They had a great chance to win at Rupp Arena the other night. They played the game right before we played Missouri. I watched that film in its entirety yesterday. I was really impressed with Vanderbilt, especially offensively how they spread the floor. They have so many guys who can shoot the three. Both [Dylan] Disu, who is their starting five man now essentially, and [Myles] Shute, who is starting at the four, are great three-point shooters. That's what makes it so difficult because it really stretches our bigs away from the basket."
"Scotty Pippen [Jr.] has just been tremendous for them. I think he's the second leading scorer in our conference. A really heady, smart point guard. I thought Jordan Wright played very well against Kentucky the other night. I think he had 17 points and was 3-for-3 from three. He played very well against us last year. I like him. And [Maxwell] Evans is a guy that you always want to worry about because I remember watching him score 25 points in the first half against LSU a year ago when they beat LSU at home."
"They have good pieces. They're young, the big kid they added, number 42 [Quentin Millora-Brown] is playing well for him. He transferred from Rice University. Also, D.J. Harvey, a transfer from Notre Dame. They're a team that's going to be very difficult to defend, number one. They do a lot of things defensively. They'll run and trap across half court. They'll trap the first pass. They'll play some zone, they'll press. So, they're very well-coached and really have a lot of cute little sets and things that they do that iso their best players. We're going to have our hands full."
UP NEXT
First up on Mississippi State's upcoming three-game homestand is Texas A&M on Wednesday. Tip time is on-tap for 8 p.m. CT from Humphrey Coliseum, televised by SEC Network and available online courtesy of the Watch ESPN app.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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