--C Jarvis Varnado looks like an early contender for Player of the Year honors in the SEC. Through the first six games he was averaging 14.5 points and 10.0 rebounds, while blocking 5.5 shots per game.

--Mississippi State announced one signing in the early period. He is Brian Bryant, a 6-3 guard out of Albany, Ga., playing at Northwest Florida State College (formerly Okaloosa Walton).

KEY EARLY-SEASON CONFERENCE GAME: at Ole Miss, Jan. 9 -- The Bulldogs get a challenge right out of the gate with the game against their instate rival. The two teams split two games last season, with each winning on the road.

LAST YEAR'S CONFERENCE RECORD: 9-7, finished in third place in the Western Division.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I love Wendell Lewis. It's about what he is going to be, what he is going to become. He listens, learns, takes coaching everyday and plays with extreme effort. The game is fast for him right now, but the more playing time he has will solve the problems he has right now. Then he will slow down enough in there, and you will really see his athleticism." -- Coach Rick Stansbury, on the potential of the 6-8 freshman center.

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