Mississippi State could have some extra firepower Wednesday night when it continues its four-game homestand against winless Detroit Mercy.
Rocket Watts could make his season debut for the Bulldogs (2-0) after sitting out the wins over North Alabama (75-49) and Montana (86-49). The transfer from Michigan State had hip surgery in June.
“That’s the plan,” Bulldogs coach Ben Howland said, noting that Watts will continue to be evaluated following practices.
Watts, who averaged 7.7 points and 2.7 assists a game for the Spartans last year, tweeted Monday, “Fully cleared to Hoop!!” and is projected to start in the Bulldogs’ backcourt alongside all-Southeastern Conference, first-team preseason honoree Iverson Molinar.
The Bulldogs have impressed Howland with their play on defense as they have held their first two opponents to a combined 30.2 percent shooting. Montana managed only 29.1 percent overall and 22.2 in the first half.
“I’m really excited about how our guys are buying into everything we are doing,” Howland said. “They are really executing. We had good individual performances, but as a team, we were phenomenal defensively again.”
After facing Detroit Mercy, the Bulldogs will have one more nonconference game at home against Morehead State before taking on Louisville in the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship next week in Nassau.
Detroit Mercy was looking forward to a breakout season in coach Mike Davis’ fourth season, but the Titans have struggled in losses at Wyoming 85-47 and at Toledo 81-73.
“We’re more talented than we’ve ever been,” Davis told the Detroit News.
One of the star pieces for Davis is his son Antoine Davis. He has scored 37 points in the two losses despite shooting only 35. 9 percent from the field overall and 21.4 (3-of-14) from 3-point range.
Madut Akec, transfer from South Florida, and Kevin McAdoo Jr., a transfer from Bradley, have combined for 55 points in the two outings.
–Field Level Media
