LIVE FROM TAMPA
Moments away from tipoff between Mississippi State and South Carolina in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. It’s a rematch of a Feb. 18 meeting in Starkville, which MSU won 75-70. State comes in having won three straight games. South Carolina, which had a first-round bye, has lost two of its last three.
So, can the Gamecocks figure out a way to get past MSU this time? Will Devan Downey take over for South Carolina? Will Kodi Augustus continue his stellar play off the bench for State? Will the Bulldogs’ shots keep falling? We shall see.
The basics:
TV: Raycom; live streaming on ESPN360.com.
XM: Channel 199.
Series: MSU leads 12-8.
Last meeting: MSU, 75-70 on Feb. 18 in Starkville.
Coaches: MSU – Rick Stansbury (228-127, 11th year); South Carolina – Darrin Horn (132-56, sixth year; 21-8, first year at South Carolina).
Notes: MSU has won three straight. … Ravern Johnson scored a game-high 20 points for MSU in the last meeting. … South Carolina’s Devan Downey is first in the SEC in steals with 3.0 per game. … State is the West No. 3 seed, South Carolina the East No. 2.
Probable starters
Mississippi State (20-12, 10-7 SEC)
C – Jarvis Varnado 6-9 Jr. 13. ppg
G – Phil Turner 6-3 G 8.5 ppg
G – Dee Bost 6-2 Fr. 11.3 ppg
G – Barry Stewart 6-3 Jr. 11.9 ppg
G – Ravern Johnson 6-7 So. 12.5 ppg
Top reserves: F Kodi Augustus, G Twany Beckham, F Brian Johnson.
South Carolina (21-8, 10-6 SEC)
G – Devan Downey 5-9 Jr. 20.2 ppg
G – Zam Fredrick 6-0 Sr. 15.5 ppg
F – Sam Muldrow 6-9 So. 5.8 ppg
F – Dominique Archie 6-7 Jr. 10.9 ppg
C – Mike Holmes 6-7 So. 10.9 ppg
Top reserves: G Brandis Raley-Ross, F Evaldas Baniulis, F Austin Steed.
March 13, 2009 at 1:32 pm |
ESPN.com says the game is delayed. What’s going on?
March 13, 2009 at 1:35 pm |
BL – any idea what that’s about?
March 13, 2009 at 1:36 pm |
Probably just because the tournament schedule is always cramped and games invariably run long. They’re playing now.
March 13, 2009 at 1:42 pm |
playing ugly!!
March 13, 2009 at 1:46 pm |
I think they’re just excited and need to calm down. Raycom put a camera on them just before the UK/LSU game ended and they were bouncing around and laughing with each other.
I’m watching the game via a security camera that’s pointed at a TV, though, so I’m not getting the best viewing experience. I may be seeing something that’s not there.
March 13, 2009 at 1:51 pm |
Six turnovers by State, and it trails 14-5 with 11:43 left in the first half.
March 13, 2009 at 1:57 pm |
Not enough State fans here though. B Jonson shooting keeping us in it.
March 13, 2009 at 1:58 pm |
Not just ugly, stupid….
March 13, 2009 at 2:01 pm |
Varnado finally gets in the scoring column with back-to-back dunks, and State is within 22-18 at 6:38/1st half.
March 13, 2009 at 2:16 pm |
Barry Stewart’s been sitting since the 6:38 mark with 2 fouls. State trails 36-31 with 1:00 left in the half.
March 13, 2009 at 2:19 pm |
Halftime: South Carolina 36, MSU 32. Stats coming.
March 13, 2009 at 2:28 pm |
Halftime stats for MSU:
• Shooting: 38.7 percent (12-31)
• 3-pt shooting: 50 percent (4-8)
• 23 rebounds
• 9 turnovers
Scorers: R. Johnson 7, B. Johnson 7, Varnado 6, Augustus 6
South Carolina:
• Shooting: 41.7 percent (15-36)
• 3-pt shooting: 16.7 percent (1-6)
• Rebounds: 19
• Turnovers: 3
Scorers: Fredrick 12, Archie 10, Downey 6
March 13, 2009 at 2:41 pm |
Everyone still watching the game?
March 13, 2009 at 2:44 pm |
MSU gets its first lead on Phil Turner’s dunk. Nice feed from Varnado, and it’s 43-42 Bulldogs at 13:56/2nd half. Barry Stewart has 5 points out of the break.
March 13, 2009 at 2:44 pm |
Yeah… Gotta be a foul on that last series somewhere
March 13, 2009 at 2:45 pm |
c’mon dawgs!!
March 13, 2009 at 2:46 pm |
Like the default pic Goldendawg
March 13, 2009 at 2:50 pm |
Ok – They are 2 points ahead!
March 13, 2009 at 3:00 pm |
That’s three charges whistled on Kodi Augustus. South Carolina briefly retook the lead, but we’re tied now, 55-55, with 7:50 left in the second half.
March 13, 2009 at 3:07 pm |
Stewart has three 3-pointers this half, and Bost’s 3 gives MSU its largest lead, 62-55, and prompts South Carolina coach Darrin Horn to call timeout with 5:48 left.
March 13, 2009 at 3:27 pm |
State has made 7 of 9 free throws down the stretch here and lead 77-68 with :42.3 left. Fans are filing out.
March 13, 2009 at 3:34 pm |
wrap this one in maroon and white. Great game. Had a good feeling about this one at the half only being down four knowing we were yet to get going. Augustus has really stepped up but needs to get more under control with the basketball in hand.
March 13, 2009 at 4:49 pm |
Good game DAWGS! I am really becoming a fan of Dee Bost. He played a great all around game today.
March 13, 2009 at 5:06 pm |
I was 2 rows up from Mrs. Stansbury. I high fived her. She deserves coaches wife of the year.