2023-24 Men's Basketball Preseason Honors - Wooden Award Watch List
November 14, 2023 | Men's Basketball
by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – As part of Tuesday afternoon's SportsCenter coverage on ESPN, Tolu Smith was named as one of 50 finalists for the Wooden Award Watch List.
The Bulldogs square off with North Alabama later this evening at Humphrey Coliseum. Tip time is slated for 6:30 p.m. carried online only courtesy of SEC Network+, ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
Mississippi State is selling season tickets, $96 mini plans and non-conference single game tickets for the upcoming 2023-24 campaign. Visit www.HailState.com/Tickets for more information.
Humphrey Coliseum will become one of the nation's premier arenas as major renovations continue ahead of the upcoming season. If interested in making contributions to Humphrey Coliseum, please contact the Bulldog Club at (662) 325-3074.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Wooden Award Watch List – November 14
Smith added one last honor to his preseason list of accolades as the Wooden Award announced its preseason finalists on Tuesday. He is accompanied by Johni Broome (Auburn), Justin Edwards (Kentucky), Wade Taylor IV (Texas A&M) and Santiago Vescovi (Tennessee) from the SEC.
After being chosen for the Karl Malone Watch List which is awarded to the nation's top power forward in late-October, Smith found himself on the Naismith Trophy Watch List on Monday. He is one of seven SEC players on the list which features Trevin Brazile (Arkansas), Johni Broome (Auburn), Justin Edwards (Kentucky), Grant Nelson (Alabama), Wade Taylor IV (Texas A&M) and Santiago Vescovi (Tennessee).
Smith made it consensus All-SEC Preseason First-Team honors on Thursday from the league's coaches. State has had a player earn All-SEC Preseason First-Team by both the coaches and media in three of the last five seasons as Smith joins Reggie Perry (2019-20) and Iverson Molinar (2021-22).
All-SEC Preseason First Team
Trevon Brazile – Arkansas
Johni Broome – Auburn
Riley Kugel – Florida
Antonio Reeves – Kentucky
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
Zakai Zeigler – Tennessee
All-SEC Preseason Second Team
Davonte Davis – Arkansas
Justin Edwards – Kentucky
Josiah-Jordan James – Tennessee
Tyrin Lawrence – Vanderbilt
Matthew Murrell – Ole Miss
Grant Nelson – Alabama
Tyrece Radford – Texas A&M
Mark Sears – Alabama
The SEC media announced its All-SEC preseason teams and preseason poll on Tuesday. Smith tucked away another All-SEC First-Team selection, and the Bulldogs were picked to finish seventh in the media's preseason poll.
All-SEC Preseason First Team
Trevon Brazille – Arkansas
Johni Broome – Auburn
Justin Edwards – Kentucky
Grant Nelson – Alabama
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
All-SEC Preseason Second Team
Davonte Davis – Arkansas
Riley Kugel – Florida
Antonio Reeves – Kentucky
Mark Sears – Alabama
Zakai Zeigler – Tennessee
SEC Preseason Player of the Year: Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M
All-SEC Preseason First Team
Johni Broome – Auburn
Justin Edwards – Kentucky
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
All-SEC Presason First Team
Johni Broome – Auburn
Riley Kugel - Florida
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
Smith was one of 20 players to capture Blue Ribbon All-America status and was named to the publication's second team. He also came away with the SEC's Preseason Player of the Year award and All-SEC First-Team accolades.
2023-24 Blue Ribbon Preseason All-America Teams
First Team
Hunter Dickinson – Kansas
Zach Edey – Purdue
Kyle Filipowski – Duke
Tyler Kolek – Marquette
Justin Moore – Villanova
Second Team
Armando Bacot – North Carolina
Ryan Kalkbrenner – Creighton
Kevin McCullar – Kansas
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Third Team
Oumar Ballo – Arizona
Johni Broome – Auburn
Boo Buie – Northwestern
Tristen Newton – Connecticut
Jahmir Young – Maryland
Fourth Team
Isaiah Collier – Southern Cal
Tristan Da Silva – Colorado
DaRon Holmes II – Dayton
Terrence Shannon Jr. – Illinois
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
2023-24 Blue Ribbon SEC Preseason Awards
SEC Preseason Player of the Year
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
All-SEC Preseason First Team
Johni Broome – Auburn
Antonio Reeves – Kentucky
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
All-SEC Preseason First Team
Johni Broome – Auburn
Mark Sears – Alabama
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
SEC Impact Transfers
Aaron Estrada – Alabama
Grant Nelson – Alabama
Khalif Battle – Arkansas
Tramon Mark – Arkansas
Keyon Menifeld – Arkansas
Tre Mitchell – Kentucky
Will Baker – LSU
Daimion Collins – LSU
Andrew Taylor – Mississippi State
Tamar Bates – Missouri
Caleb Grill – Missouri
John Tonje – Missouri
Allen Flanigan – Ole Miss
Jamarion Sharp – Ole Miss
Dalton Knecht – Tennessee
2023-24 ESPN's Dick Vitale Preseason All-America Teams
First Team
Armando Bacot – North Carolina
Johni Broome – Auburn
Boo Buie – Northwestern
Zach Edey – Purdue
Tyler Kolek – Marquette
Second Team
Hunter Dickinson – Kansas
DaRon Holmes II – Dayton
Dillon James – Weber State
Terrence Shannon Jr. – Illinois
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Third Team
Max Abmas – Texas
Adem Bona – UCLA
Kyle Filipowski – Duke
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Tyson Walker – Michigan State
Smith is the only returning SEC player who was rank among the league's top 10 in points (15.7 – 8th) along with top 5 marks in field goal percentage (57.2 – 1st), rebounds (8.5 – 2nd) and double-doubles (12 – 2nd) last season.
For his career, Smith has amassed 1,210 points which sits 29th in program history, whereas his 679 career rebounds check in 16th in State's record book. He has drained 57.2 percent (448-of-783) of his field goal attempts which is 5th among MSU players to make at least 400 baskets.
Smith has secured 65 career outings in double figures and 25 career double-doubles. He has registered 12 of his 18 outings of 20 or more points against SEC competition with eight of his 10 performances of 20+ points and 10+ rebounds versus SEC foes.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X (formally Twitter) and Instagram.
STARKVILLE – As part of Tuesday afternoon's SportsCenter coverage on ESPN, Tolu Smith was named as one of 50 finalists for the Wooden Award Watch List.
The Bulldogs square off with North Alabama later this evening at Humphrey Coliseum. Tip time is slated for 6:30 p.m. carried online only courtesy of SEC Network+, ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
Mississippi State is selling season tickets, $96 mini plans and non-conference single game tickets for the upcoming 2023-24 campaign. Visit www.HailState.com/Tickets for more information.
Humphrey Coliseum will become one of the nation's premier arenas as major renovations continue ahead of the upcoming season. If interested in making contributions to Humphrey Coliseum, please contact the Bulldog Club at (662) 325-3074.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭
— Mississippi State Men's Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 14, 2023
The accolades keep rolling in for our guy Uno☝️
📰 » https://t.co/2JVS4EJjNO#HailState🐶 X @WoodenAward pic.twitter.com/feyUCUqexq
Wooden Award Watch List – November 14
Smith added one last honor to his preseason list of accolades as the Wooden Award announced its preseason finalists on Tuesday. He is accompanied by Johni Broome (Auburn), Justin Edwards (Kentucky), Wade Taylor IV (Texas A&M) and Santiago Vescovi (Tennessee) from the SEC.
Naismith Trophy Watch List – November 6𝗡𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁 — @ToluSmith1
— Mississippi State Men's Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 6, 2023
📰 » https://t.co/3apNL8FWex#HailState🐶
After being chosen for the Karl Malone Watch List which is awarded to the nation's top power forward in late-October, Smith found himself on the Naismith Trophy Watch List on Monday. He is one of seven SEC players on the list which features Trevin Brazile (Arkansas), Johni Broome (Auburn), Justin Edwards (Kentucky), Grant Nelson (Alabama), Wade Taylor IV (Texas A&M) and Santiago Vescovi (Tennessee).
All-SEC Coaches Awards – November 2𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐒𝐄𝐂 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 — @ToluSmith1
— Mississippi State Men's Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 2, 2023
📰 » https://t.co/9qVGjsMPGb#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/DxLcgugCgo
Smith made it consensus All-SEC Preseason First-Team honors on Thursday from the league's coaches. State has had a player earn All-SEC Preseason First-Team by both the coaches and media in three of the last five seasons as Smith joins Reggie Perry (2019-20) and Iverson Molinar (2021-22).
All-SEC Preseason First Team
Trevon Brazile – Arkansas
Johni Broome – Auburn
Riley Kugel – Florida
Antonio Reeves – Kentucky
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
Zakai Zeigler – Tennessee
All-SEC Preseason Second Team
Davonte Davis – Arkansas
Justin Edwards – Kentucky
Josiah-Jordan James – Tennessee
Tyrin Lawrence – Vanderbilt
Matthew Murrell – Ole Miss
Grant Nelson – Alabama
Tyrece Radford – Texas A&M
Mark Sears – Alabama
All-SEC Media Awards – October 17𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐒𝐄𝐂 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦
— Mississippi State Men's Basketball (@HailStateMBK) October 17, 2023
Another honor for our guy @ToluSmith1.
📰 → https://t.co/MpavX741DM#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/PN70WxM4En
The SEC media announced its All-SEC preseason teams and preseason poll on Tuesday. Smith tucked away another All-SEC First-Team selection, and the Bulldogs were picked to finish seventh in the media's preseason poll.
All-SEC Preseason First Team
Trevon Brazille – Arkansas
Johni Broome – Auburn
Justin Edwards – Kentucky
Grant Nelson – Alabama
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
All-SEC Preseason Second Team
Davonte Davis – Arkansas
Riley Kugel – Florida
Antonio Reeves – Kentucky
Mark Sears – Alabama
Zakai Zeigler – Tennessee
SEC Preseason Player of the Year: Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M
Dawgs 📈
— Mississippi State Men's Basketball (@HailStateMBK) September 26, 2023
📝 https://t.co/SH4xz8N1hD#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/xLNpxVPHmy
Lindy's - September 26
Mississippi State had three players secure individual honors from Lindy's. Davis was named the SEC's Top Defender, while Fort was rated No. 13 nationally among junior college players entering college basketball in 2023-24. Smith claimed preseason All-SEC First-Team status.All-SEC Preseason First Team
Johni Broome – Auburn
Justin Edwards – Kentucky
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
Preseason SEC Coach of The Year 👑
— Mississippi State Men's Basketball (@HailStateMBK) September 20, 2023
📰 https://t.co/EWOo92TEhD#HailState🐶 x @TheFieldOf68 pic.twitter.com/ceSDzQb9No
Field of 68 - September 20
As a team, the Bulldogs were projected to finish among the SEC's top 5 and were listed among the receiving votes category just outside the nation's top 25. Jans garnered SEC Preseason Coach of the Year status, while Smith collected another preseason All-SEC First-Team nod.All-SEC Presason First Team
Johni Broome – Auburn
Riley Kugel - Florida
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
🗣️ No. 20
— Mississippi State Men's Basketball (@HailStateMBK) August 31, 2023
📝 https://t.co/fxwpSe5It9#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/CHrjnWQvVz
Blue Ribbon Magazine - August 31
State secured a No. 20 preseason national ranking from Blue Ribbon Magazine in a loaded Southeastern Conference which features fellow top 25 squads in Tennessee (No. 6), Arkansas (No. 8), Kentucky (No. 11), Texas A&M (No. 17) and Alabama (No. 19) on Thursday, August 31.Smith was one of 20 players to capture Blue Ribbon All-America status and was named to the publication's second team. He also came away with the SEC's Preseason Player of the Year award and All-SEC First-Team accolades.
2023-24 Blue Ribbon Preseason All-America Teams
First Team
Hunter Dickinson – Kansas
Zach Edey – Purdue
Kyle Filipowski – Duke
Tyler Kolek – Marquette
Justin Moore – Villanova
Second Team
Armando Bacot – North Carolina
Ryan Kalkbrenner – Creighton
Kevin McCullar – Kansas
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Third Team
Oumar Ballo – Arizona
Johni Broome – Auburn
Boo Buie – Northwestern
Tristen Newton – Connecticut
Jahmir Young – Maryland
Fourth Team
Isaiah Collier – Southern Cal
Tristan Da Silva – Colorado
DaRon Holmes II – Dayton
Terrence Shannon Jr. – Illinois
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
2023-24 Blue Ribbon SEC Preseason Awards
SEC Preseason Player of the Year
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
All-SEC Preseason First Team
Johni Broome – Auburn
Antonio Reeves – Kentucky
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
Rothstein's Offseason Breakdown ⤵️
— Mississippi State Men's Basketball (@HailStateMBK) August 21, 2023
𝐒𝐄𝐂 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦
👉 @ToluSmith1
𝐒𝐄𝐂 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫
👉 @_atay21
📰 https://t.co/ngvfAnaAxO#HailState🐶 x @JonRothstein pic.twitter.com/PnBkw4eOtu
Jon Rothstein's SEC Offseason Breakdown – August 21
Rothstein of CBS Sports and College Hoops Today projected Mississippi State to a top 5 finish in his SEC preseason poll on Monday, August 21. Smith picked up All-SEC Preseason First-Team, while Taylor was dubbed one of 15 SEC Impact Transfers.All-SEC Preseason First Team
Johni Broome – Auburn
Mark Sears – Alabama
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
SEC Impact Transfers
Aaron Estrada – Alabama
Grant Nelson – Alabama
Khalif Battle – Arkansas
Tramon Mark – Arkansas
Keyon Menifeld – Arkansas
Tre Mitchell – Kentucky
Will Baker – LSU
Daimion Collins – LSU
Andrew Taylor – Mississippi State
Tamar Bates – Missouri
Caleb Grill – Missouri
John Tonje – Missouri
Allen Flanigan – Ole Miss
Jamarion Sharp – Ole Miss
Dalton Knecht – Tennessee
First one for No. 1 👀
— Mississippi State Men's Basketball (@HailStateMBK) August 4, 2023
📰 https://t.co/iP2qgWOKbo#HailState🐶 x @ToluSmith1 pic.twitter.com/JRSfe4FLMe
ESPN Dick Vitale Preseason All-America Team - August 4
Smith earned the first of what is anticipated to be many honors as State's big man was one of 15 players to notch preseason All-America status from ESPN's Dick Vitale on Friday, August 4. 2023-24 ESPN's Dick Vitale Preseason All-America Teams
First Team
Armando Bacot – North Carolina
Johni Broome – Auburn
Boo Buie – Northwestern
Zach Edey – Purdue
Tyler Kolek – Marquette
Second Team
Hunter Dickinson – Kansas
DaRon Holmes II – Dayton
Dillon James – Weber State
Terrence Shannon Jr. – Illinois
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Third Team
Max Abmas – Texas
Adem Bona – UCLA
Kyle Filipowski – Duke
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Tyson Walker – Michigan State
About Smith
Smith, a consensus 2022-23 All-SEC First-Team selection, was one of five Power 5 players to average at least 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting at least 55.0 percent from the field last season. Only Smith and Purdue's Zach Edey who was national player of the year, return to college basketball in 2023-24.Smith is the only returning SEC player who was rank among the league's top 10 in points (15.7 – 8th) along with top 5 marks in field goal percentage (57.2 – 1st), rebounds (8.5 – 2nd) and double-doubles (12 – 2nd) last season.
For his career, Smith has amassed 1,210 points which sits 29th in program history, whereas his 679 career rebounds check in 16th in State's record book. He has drained 57.2 percent (448-of-783) of his field goal attempts which is 5th among MSU players to make at least 400 baskets.
Smith has secured 65 career outings in double figures and 25 career double-doubles. He has registered 12 of his 18 outings of 20 or more points against SEC competition with eight of his 10 performances of 20+ points and 10+ rebounds versus SEC foes.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X (formally Twitter) and Instagram.
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