Welcome!

I'm here to extend a warm welcome to the newest member of the MSU blogoshpere, Mississippi State Basketball. Very good choice in the name department; simple, easy to remember, and tells you exactly what you're going to be getting. I like it. From what I've seen, arliss loves his Mississippi State basketball (and who can blame him) as much as, if not more than, anyone you'll meet. So go check him out. Go. Now.

Romero Osby Commits to Mississippi State

Its not time to talk about football yet. Big news came yesterday as Top 50 prospect Romero Osby became the second commit in the 2008 basketball class. This of course elicits yet more cries by Mississippi and Alabama and the like that MSU must be cheating and paying off players. I've noticed that when Mississippi or Alabama gets a big recruit, it is because the coach is a fantastic recruiter. When Mississippi State gets one though, it must be cheating. There is no other explanation. Funny how that works isn't it?

This comes out of left field as Osby had always said he plans on waiting until the end of the summer to start narrowing his list down. Mississippi State had been on him the longest and had always looked to be in good shape, but in the past few months schools like Kansas, Louisville, and Kentucky started to make a push. Osby took a visit to Louisville this past weekend and there was a minor stir that he may have committed. I guess that was true, just not to Louisville.

Scout ranks him as the #12 PF and the #42 prospect overall. Rivals has him ranked as the #10 PF and 28th best player overall. His offer list is impressive and includes: Alabama, Kansas, Louisville, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Not too shabby. Depending on how he develops, he will end up as a #3/#4 combo type player.

2008 is shaping up to be quite the recruiting class with two top 50 players already saying they'll be coming to MSU. There is at least one scholarship still available for 2008, two if Jamont Gordon leaves for the NBA early (which looks likely).

Rhodes Withdraws From NBA Draft

In a 11th hour decision, Charles Rhodes has decided to hold off on trying to get to the NBA for one more year. He sure took his sweet time in "testing the waters" but he finally made the right choice. I haven't seen his name even once on any NBA draft boards. I wouldn't think that is a good sign. Come back, play hard every game, stop shooting threes, and maybe you'll make it next year.

In all honesty though, I'm not sure how excited I am about this news. Without Rhodes, MSU was certainly going to be somewhat thin in the post. With him coming back, post depth is obviously significantly improved, but how focused will he be throughout the year? What will his attitude be like? If he is sulking all year about not being good enough to get drafted and doesn't give maximum effort, well then we have a big problem. This is a possibility as history has shown that Charles' head is not always where it is supposed to be. If that ends up being the case, I would much rather him not be on the team at all.

On the other hand, if he comes back motivated to give 100% each game, then I welcome him back with open arms. He has always had the talent, but motivation and attitude has held him back. Working under the "motivated to give 100% each game" assumption, this is great news for the team next year. He brings that offensive threat around the basket that may or may not have existed otherwise.

MSU Knocked Out of the CWS by Louisville, 12-4

Well, it sure was fun while it lasted. Yesterday was about as ugly as it gets. Louisville whipped Mississippi State pretty good, there isn't anyway to sugarcoat it. Really though, it was over when they fell to North Carolina 8-5 on Friday night. They had to win that game to have any hope of taking home the championship. The pitching simply isn't deep enough. Even if they had gotten by Louisville, it would be hard for me to see them winning three more games in a row.

Looking back though it was a fun year, the postseason more so than the regular season. Questions were raised about whether the game has passed Ron Polk by, or in my case they were more like statements of fact rather than questions, and he stepped up to the plate and got the team to the CWS. A team that many had predicted to finish dead last in the SEC. Now, there still is that problem that MSU should never have gotten to a point where they would be picked last in the first place. I'm willing to sweep that under the rug for now though. Good job Bulldogs, you gave all MSU fans something to cheer for and be proud of.

Unfortunately, the ending of the baseball season means we have now transitioned fully into football mode. Being MSU fans, we have come to associate this period of time with nothing but pain and a complete lack of hope. Well most of us, some still remain optimistic, but they are a dying breed. Regardless, I still love college football more than any other sport, and I cannot wait for these 70 or so day to pass.

MSU Defeats Clemson 8-5; We're Headed For Omaha

So, who exactly saw this coming? I wish I could say it was me, but unfortunately I cannot. I'll admit it, I had more or less given up on the team after that end of the year collapse. Well, maybe not the team, but at least Ron Polk. Five games later and here I am eating crow. Couldn't be happier about it either. It feels good to have something to cheer about for a change.

Even if you are not a fan of baseball, you really should be thrilled about what this team has done. If for no other reason than it keeps you from having to start thinking about the upcoming football season for another few days. I just ruined the mood didn't I? Damn.

Mississippi State will be playing North Carolina at 6pm Friday Night. Pigott will be pitching instead of Crosswhite in this first game of the CWS.

Oh, before I forget, for your reading pleasure, all of the recaps you could possibly want. Also a piece by ESPN which I thoroughly enjoyed. Read it.

Mississippi State Comes From Behind, Takes Game 1

What a ride we are on right now. It seems like just yesterday MSU had lost 8 of their last 10 and Polk was telling us about how his goal was to not get swept by Alabama. It looked like the year was going to end up being yet another disappointment. Funny how four consecutive wins in the post-season can change your outlook on things.

After beating Stetson and then Florida St. two times in a row, MSU would now be facing a Clemson team loaded with pitching. Clemson fans whined incessantly all week long about MSU receiving the super regional bid and how much better their team was. In all honestly, were I in their shoes I too would likely have complained. Seeing as I am a Mississippi State fan though, I just found the whole display annoying.

Friday was supposed to be an exhibit of Clemson's dominant pitching overpowering the poor, pitiful, outmatched Bulldogs. I could see why people might think that seeing as Daniel Moskos, the Clemson pitcher, was taken No. 4 overall in the MLB draft. Fortunately, Clemson did anything but show pitching dominance. 12,620 fans, the largest crowd ever to attend a super regional game, cheered as they saw and a 5-2 Clemson lead evaporate and turn into a 6-5 Bulldog lead in the bottom of the sixth. MSU would never look back and Jet Butler ultimately sealed the 8-6 victory with a spectacular catch, tripping over both Hardy and Sneed who were both converging on the ball as well, to record the final out.

If you want complete and far better written recaps, I suggest checking out mstateathletics.com, Dawgs' Bite, clarionledger.com, and The College Baseball Blog.

One more win and it is on to Omaha. Please take them out today Pigott. Oh yeah, game starts at 11:00 central, which is in about an hour and twelve minutes. Just in case you didn't know.

Bulldogs Hosting

The word has come down, Starkville will be playing host to the best 2 of 3 series between Mississippi State and Clemson. The games will be June 8-10 (Friday through Sunday). Get through them and its on to Omaha.

MSU Takes the Tallahassee Regional

Now this is a good feeling. Mississippi State defeats Florida State 9-4 last night and they are headed for a Super Regional. Read about here, here, and here. It got off to a rocky start with FSU getting a 2-run homer off of Johnson in 1st inning. Turner answered with a 2-run homerun of his own and Laninfa put up a solo shot in the bottom of the first which served to calm my nerves somewhat. To his credit, Josh Johnson played pretty well. That first inning gave me a scare, but he gave up just 2 runs in the next 5. Not a terrific performance but it was enough. A little athletic success feels good doesn't it? There is far too little of it so make sure you enjoy this.

Something interesting that is developing out of this is that State may be hosting a Super Regional. If Coastal Carolina had come out of there Regional, MSU would be heading to there house and there would have been no question. As it stands though, they have to take 2 from Clemson while Clemson just needs one win to move on. Now if Clemson ends up advancing, it will be very interesting to see who picks up the Super Regional bid. From everything I am hearing, it will pretty much be a toss up. So start rooting for Clemson. They'll be playing Coastal Carolina at 3ET on ESPNU today if you want to watch it.

UPDATE: Clemson beat Coastal Carolina 15-3. We should know by tomorrow, maybe even tonight, who will get to host. We got what we needed, now just keep your fingers crossed.

Bulldogs Shut Out Seminoles in Game 2

Pigott pitched an absolutely fantastic game and Weatherford finished off the final two innings with ease. The result was a 3-hit game for Florida State and a 3-0 victory for MSU. Also of significance, Jeffrey Rea broke the Mississippi State all-time hits record with his 329th career hit. That also puts him at third in the SEC record book.

Very impressive win. They get a standing ovation from me. They'll be playing the winner of the Stetson v. Florida St. game at around 7ET. I was hoping we could get lucky and Stetson would pull the upset, but that looks unlikely to say the least. Florida State is ahead 17-0 in the bottom of the 8th, so yeah. It is in a rain delay now so expect the beginning of MSU's game to be pushed back. Josh Johnson will be pitching.

MSU Takes Down Stetson

As you may or may not know, Miss. State went two and out in the SEC Tournament, losing back to back games against Mississippi and Vanderbilt. Luckily for you, I was not at home while this was going on so you did not have to listen to my rantings and ravings. Yes, there would have ranting and raving; about another late season collapse, about the ineptness of Ron Polk, about the black hole that exists at third base, etc, etc. That is the past though, lets get back to the hear and now.

Mississippi State got placed in the Tallahassee Regional with No. 6 national seed Florida St (47-11). They faced Stetson (41-19) in the opening round while FSU took on Bethune-Cookman (33-25). MSU pitched Chad Crosswhite and ultimately got the 6-3 victory. If you like you can read all about it at the provided link. I admit, my baseball recapping (is that even a word?) skills are largely inadequate so I will not put you through the pain and suffering of reading another poor attempt at on. Like I've said before, baseball just isn't my sport.

Later on in the day, Florida State beat Bethune-Cookman 6-2 and they will meet MSU tonight at 6:00pm central. Pigott will be on the mound so the 'dawgs will have a pretty good chance. Supposedly FSU has problems with lefties. After that though things will get ugly. Who will they pitch in Game 3? Johnson most likely, and he does not inspire much confidence to say the very least. One game at a time though.