RECORD LAST YEAR: 23-33
It was a long year for the Western Division Bulldogs, who didn't even make the SEC tournament in Hoover after winning just one of every five games in the league.
KEY LOSS: Connor Powers
Easily the best player on Mississippi State last year, Powers batted .379/.483/.696 and smashed 16 home runs before being taken by the Padres in the 21st round of the MLB Draft. He also walked 41 times. All of those numbers are team highs among those with significant at-bats.
KEY RETURN: Nick Vickerson
Vickerson's .328/.447/.525 were arguably the second best stat line on the Bulldogs last year, and his 31 walks were second-best. Vickerson also had eight home runs and a team-high 10 stolen bases on 11 attempts, tied for first on the team last year.
TOUGHEST NON-CONFERENCE SERIES: SOUTHERN MISS (4/5)
There's not much to choose from, but can you blame them?
TOUGHEST SEC SERIES: FLORIDA (4/8-4/10)
This is "Super Bulldog Weekend." I'm not sure what it is, but it's probably not going to end well for the home team.
GOING TO HOOVER? Not likely
Hate to be that blunt, but it's hard to see how this team is going to put together a run to the tournament. They might get in as the eight seed, but even that isn't something I feel comfortable saying, and should bring the eighth seed's luck to an end.
NCAAs? No
I just can't see it.