You never know when you'll see something new...

[Rick Cleveland]

http://mississippitoday.org/2016/12/19/state-swamps-usm-86-44-with-35-0-run/

 

[BiscuitEater]

Nice article Rick!

Wish that this game had been swapped with the game against ETSU. If MSU had played that kind of defense against ETSU, the outcome would have been different. USM is not a good team. But, State hit 17 (new MSU Record) of 29 from 3PT (58.6%). They actually scored more points from 3PT (51) than Southern did in the game (44). MSU actually shot a better % (58.6) from 3PT than they shot from the 'field' (49.2).

Again, USM is NOT a good team but State has played worse teams .. and I never EVER remember a State team go on a 35-0 run and hold ANY team scoreless for 12 minutes and 19 straight shots.

According to the shot chart on ESPN (link below), State made 2 FG of > 10' (EJ Datcher, from the right baseline & IJ Ready. from the FT line) .. rest of the points came from 3PT (51), FT line (11) .. AND 20 points on various dunks, layups and put backs.

I have never witnessed a MSU team shoot that well from 3PT. Just seemed contagious. Q - 4/4, X - 2/2, Peters - 4/7 (had 3 in a row during 35 point run), Carter - 3/5, Strugg - 1/2 and you know it is really contagious when 'walk-on' Drew Davis comes off the bench at the end, and made 2/2 from 3PT!

It was really, really good to see X on the court as a bulldog. He looked in 'basketball shape,' played 11 min, was 3/5 from the field (2/2 from 3PT), 2 steals and a block. Think he will contribute a lot going forward.

This game has to build confidence. They hustled, moved the ball, played good D. Howland took notice of the 'unselfish play.' IJ is looking to pass first and had 8 assists. His behind the back pass to X for the dunk should have made ESPN 'top 10.' It illustrated that maturity, unselfish play, great assist, teamwork and an awesome dunk by X. The team had 11 blocks (2 by Lamar Peters) and 9 steals.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game?gameId=400910729

 

[MaroonNation]

The entire place cheered when USM finally scored. It wasn't just a few good-natured State fans.

 

[coach66]

Good post, It will be interesting to see how ETSU does against Tenn. on

Thursday.

 

[rem101]

Gotta love the variations - "The crowd of 4,031, largely dressed in some version of maroon, seemed to enjoy every minute of it."

 

[fishwater99]

Live and Die by the 3......

 

[Shmuley]

Merlot.

 

[Rick Cleveland]

I was too stunned to notice who was cheering, but it didn't sound like the whole place. 12 and half minutes, 35-0... Did notice many State fans applauding.