Mississippi State Gets Rolled By Rider

Earlier this week, in a college basketball predictions post, I wrote, "Mississippi State will be the best team in the SEC." I apparently forgot to add the caveat "that loses by double-digits to Rider in their home opener."

The Bulldogs did just that on Friday night, though, falling 88-74 to the Broncs in Starkville and shocking the team more than anyone. "This is Rider," Mississippi State forward Kodi Augustus said. "[We're] preseason ranked No. 18 [in the AP] in the country. We're not supposed to lose our first game, home opener. Wow. It's crazy."

But it's easy to finger the culprits. While defensive menace Jarvis Varnado (seven blocks) delivered on the offensive end as well, with an 8-of-8 night and 22 points, his four fellow starters combined to shoot 13-of-41 from the field. If Mississippi State wants a season that lives up to their talent, their guards need to shoot better, and Renardo Sidney must be cleared to play. Otherwise, this is a streaky team that will get upset when their shots aren't falling, and I'll have an upset stomach from the industrial-size can of crow I'll be eating.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.