MSU Basketball Team Begins Practice With Optimism

(HailState.com)

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI Sports) – As the Mississippi State basketball team begins practice Monday in year two under head coach Rick Ray, the Bulldogs are hoping to move past the speed bumps that hindered their progress a season ago.

MSU went 10-22 with as few as six scholarship players on the roster at times.

“It was a tough year,” junior guard Trivante Bloodman said. “You know, a lot of things were going wrong last year. We can only get better now.”

One positive involves sheer numbers. Ray and his players said more guys on the team means less fatigue, and better workouts with more bodies at practice. The team often used managers and coaches to fill in spots in practice last year.

“I think we’re going to play faster this year,” Ray said. “I think we’re going to be able to pressure more this year, but it’s got to be successful. I think the one thing they got that a lot of freshman don’t get is opportunity. And now, what they do with that opportunity remains to be seen.”

The Bulldogs begin the season Nov. 8 at home against Prairie View A&M.