Top-Seeded Bulldogs Welcome Bradley In Second-Round MasterCard NIT Action
Due to ESPN's telecast of Saturday's MSU-Bradley NIT contest, there will beno video streaming available for the game in accordance with ESPN'sbroadcasting rights. However, live audio will be available through Maroonto the Max, MSU's premium streaming service.
Having this season claimed a share of their third SEC Western Divisionchampionship in the last five years as well as making their seventhpostseason tournament appearance under Stansbury's guidance, the Bulldogsare currently 19-13 on the season after posting an 82-63 first-round NITvictory over in-state foe Mississippi Valley State this past Tuesday inStarkville. Last week in Atlanta, MSU advanced to the semifinals of the SECTournament with a thrilling 84-82 overtime triumph over Kentucky beforedropping an 81-72 decision to NCAA Tournament entry Arkansas. Continuing tobuild on their new single-season school marks of 206 blocked shots and 249made 3-pointers, the Bulldogs are paced by their all-SEC tandem of sophomoreguard/forward Jamont Gordon (16.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg & 5.0 apg) and juniorforward/center Charles Rhodes (13.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg & 1.8 bpg). In Tuesday's19-point home win over the MVSU Delta Devils, Rhodes (8-12 FGs & 21 points)and Gordon (8-12 FGs & 18 points) combined for 16-of-24 field-goal shootingand 39 points.
Guided by fifth-year head coach and former Bradley University standout guardJim Les, the Bradley Braves come to Starkville sporting a 22-12 overallrecord after claiming a 90-78 overtime home victory over Providence thispast Wednesday in Peoria, Ill. Following last year's run to the NCAATournament Sweet 16, this year's Bradley squad went 10-8 in league play tofinish fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference. Entering postseason playleading the nation in three-point percentage (.424), third in made3-pointers per game (10.0/gm) and seventh in turnovers per game (11.3/gm),the Braves feature four players scoring in double figures on the year aswell as four players with 60 or more made 3-pointers, led by senior guardWill Franklin (14.6 ppg; 85-of-198 treys for 42.9%). Junior guards JeremyCrouch and Daniel Ruffin are both averaging 13.9 points per game and haveconnected on 80 and 65 three-point field goals, respectively.
The Bulldogs are making their sixth all-time appearance in the postseasonNational Invitation Tournament, having most recently advanced to the 2001NIT quarterfinals to serve as a springboard for Mississippi State'ssubsequent school-record run of four consecutive NCAA Tournament showings(2002-05). In addition to three NIT berths (2007, 2001 & 1999) under hisguidance at State, Stansbury has now doubled the school's all-timepostseason tournament appearances from seven to 14 in his nine seasons(1999-2007) at the Bulldog helm.