Mississippi State entered this season with high expectations on the return of star players Jamont Gordon and Charles Rhodes, but nearly squandered those after a 5-5 start. The team battled back to finish 12-4 in the Southeastern Conference, but a late slip-up to Georgia in the SEC tournament likely cost the team a spot in NCAA Tournament seeding. State, an eight seed, ended its season with a 77-74 loss to South Regional top-seed Memphis.

When State was playing well during SEC play, it was the dynamic basketball team coach Rick Stansbury thought he had. Gordon played up to his all-over-the-floor potential for most of the season, and Rhodes blossomed into one of the nation's top post players in the final two months of the season.

The pleasant surprise came from center Jarvis Varnado. Coaches knew of his potential as a shot-blocker, but no one imagined he'd lead the country in blocked shots and tie Shaquille O'Neal's Southeastern Conference record for blocks in a season.

The fortunes of next year's team likely hinge on what Gordon, who scored 17 points a game, does in relation to the NBA Draft. He has entered his name in the draft but can withdraw it without any eligibility penalty. Whether he projects as a first-rounder, likely the threshold for his decision, is the biggest question facing the Bulldogs as they regroup for 2008-09.

Without Gordon, the team might not be considered a true contender.

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