MSU Seniors Roberts And Power Named Finalists For Howell Trophy
Joined by Ole Miss senior forward Tommie Eddie, the veteran trio finished at the top of the voting by media members from across the state of Mississippi. Eleven players from six in-state colleges and universities received votes.
Named to the official voting ballot for this year's John R. Wooden Award and a top 10 finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, Roberts hails as Mississippi State's first repeat first-team all-SEC performer since current Dallas Mavericks standout Erick Dampier. The 6-9, 240-pound Roberts leads coach Rick Stansbury's 22-10 Bulldogs into this week's NCAA Tournament pacing the SEC in rebounding (10.9 rpg) and double-doubles (18), while ranking fifth in scoring (16.7 ppg), eighth in field-goal percentage (45.1%) and 10th in steals (1.6 spg). The Houston native also begins postseason tournament play leading all active NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 56 career double-doubles and 1,147 career rebounds. Now with 1,902 career points to his credit as a former transfer from Baylor University, Roberts recently became only the third player in school history to reach 1,000 career points in just two seasons at Mississippi State.
A second-team all-SEC selection as voted on this season by the league's head coaches, Power enters the postseason ranking as State's third-leading scorer (11.2 ppg), No. 4 rebounder (4.1 rpg) and second-leading playmaker (2.5 apg). Last year's SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and an academic all-district selection this season, the 6-5, 210-pound Power leads the Bulldogs with 55 made 3-pointers and in three-point field goal percentage (38.2%). The Crown Point, Ind., native rates as the lone Bulldog player to have started all 32 games this season and also leads the team in minutes played (33.3 mpg).
The Cellular South Howell Trophy is named in honor of former Mississippi State All-American and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Bailey Howell. Ticket information for the First Annual Cellular South Howell Trophy presentation can be obtained by contacting the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum at (601) 982-8264 or 1-800-280-FAME.