Wednesday Bulldog Update - 3/5/14
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Happy Wednesday, Bulldogs.
I had the pleasure of enjoying Fat Tuesday and the parade in Biloxi with Coach Mullen yesterday, an enjoyable experience as we continue with busy and exciting weeks here at Mississippi State.
While the focus is generally in Starkville, much of our attention looks like it will be in Georgia this week, as both basketball teams and the men’s tennis team will play in the Peach State over the next few days, followed by softball, baseball and men’s basketball (again) next week.
With Spring Break coming next week, I bid safe travels to our students, faculty and fans who will be in transit.
Two quick notes, first a heads up to be on the watch for a freshly-taped Davis Wade Stadium expansion video in the next few days, and second a reminder that the deadline for football season ticket renewal passed on Monday. We plan to begin the seat selection process at the beginning of April and expect to have it done in 8-10 weeks. In the meantime, make sure to visit www.msubulldogclub.com to learn more and check out the 3-D model of Davis Wade to help you prepare for seat selection.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL IN SEC TOURNAMENT
Tonight at 5 p.m. CT, Coach Schaefer’s ladies have their first game of the SEC basketball tournament (vs. Missouri), which we can watch on FSS or ESPN3. The regular season is finished and this serves as a nice time to congratulate our Bulldogs for their outstanding effort over the course of the year. However, it’s not the end of the season and we’ll certainly be paying attention as postseason tournaments are announced.
MEN’S BASKETBALL AT GEORGIA TONIGHT, SENIOR DAY SATURDAY
Also heading east, Coach Ray’s men play at Georgia tonight at 6 CT on CSS and ESPN3, then the team returns for the home finale and Senior Day on Saturday against South Carolina at 3 p.m. Games like these are always bittersweet, as this time we say goodbye to Tyson Cunningham and Colin Borchert, our two seniors who have helped build the foundation for the future of MSU basketball under Coach Ray.
An accomplished musician and former member of the Famous Maroon Band, Tyson will be singing the National Anthem for us Saturday, which is very much worth hearing.
Let’s send our seniors out on a high note.
BASEBALL AT HOME TONIGHT, AT ARIZONA THIS WEEKEND
Before getting into what will happen, I’d like to take a moment to mention what already has happened and thank our fans for their tremendous hospitality shown over the three-week homestand to open the baseball season. We’ve received compliments and gratitude from fans, coaches and players of every school we’ve hosted. Hearing and receiving those words means a great deal to me, and I know our fan base feels the same. The ESPN crew from this past weekend said they’d never seen anything like that and I know the Michigan State players eating off the grills in the Left Field Lounge after their final game Sunday felt the same. MSU has come to be associated with that welcoming warmth and embodies the hospitality our state is known for.
Our Diamond Dawgs host South Alabama tonight at 6:30 for Residence Life Night before making their first trip this weekend on the road for a tournament hosted by Arizona.
BIG SEC HONORS FOR TRACK AND FIELD
A huge Hail State to Erica Bougard, who won the SEC Championship in the pentathlon over the week at the SEC Indoor Championships - the first such title for MSU – and to Rochelle Farquharson, who claimed the women’s long jump title for the conference the very next day.
With so many big finishes, including several top-10 and top-5 events, the women nearly doubled their point total from last year, finishing 8th at SEC indoors.
In the latest rankings, our men’s team is up to No. 13 in the country and our women sit at No. 15.
Job well done by Coach Steve Dudley and his staff and athletes.
SOFTBALL OPENS SEC PLAY AT HOME FRIDAY
Off to the best start in program history, Coach Vann Stuedeman’s team hosts highly-ranked Kentucky Friday at 6, Saturday at 3 and Sunday at 1. The Bulldogs have been quite impressive in the non-conference portion of the season and deserve recognition and attention as conference play begins. Plus, I hear it’s supposed to be warm and sunny this weekend.
WOMEN’S TENNIS AT HOME, MEN ON THE ROAD
I’ll start by congratulating Coach Per Nilsson’s men’s squad on two big wins last weekend, taking down ranked Alabama and Auburn teams at home in dramatic fashion. This weekend, the men are off to play two more top 20 teams at Georgia and Tennessee.
Trading places, the women’s squad returns home this weekend after a road stand, hosting No. 11 Georgia at 3 on Friday and Tennessee at 1 on Sunday.
As always, I look forward to seeing you, whether at home or elsewhere.
Hail State!
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Thanks for taking the time to read this Update.
Hail State!
Scott Stricklin