Resilient Bulldogs trying to get back in win column against Commodores

Rest hasn't been coming easy for Mississippi State head coach Ben Howland these days on the heels of a three-game losing streak.

“I'm going home and I'm just sick,” Howland said. “I (re-watch games) and I'm not able to sleep.”

Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Howland says – unlike himself – they have displayed an impressive ability to bounce back from adversity in recent days. It's a characteristic that could come in handy for State tonight at 6 p.m. when the Bulldogs (13-4, 1-3) host Vanderbilt (6-11, 1-4) at Humphrey Coliseum.

“Kids seem resilient,” Howland said. “They're more resilient than adults. I think they've been very resilient in terms of how they've handled the losses. They're able to be mad that day, but then they know they have another shot.”

It has been a tough couple of weeks for Mississippi State without a doubt. It all started back on January 6 when the Bulldogs blew a 13-point lead in a loss at Ole Miss. MSU again squandered a 13-point lead this past Saturday when hosting Auburn. In between those games, State lost by 17 at Florida.

Suddenly, a season that began with the Bulldogs winning 13 of their first 14 games has started to spiral a bit. MSU players say though, what has happened in the past will remain in the past.

“We know we've been in some games we could have won, but there's no use in looking back on it all,” Mississippi State freshman guard Nick Weatherspoon said. “If you look back, those losses could turn into 10 losses. We just have to look ahead.”

It's the Commodores that are now staring the Bulldogs straight in the face. Judging by Vanderbilt's record alone, it's a game MSU seems to have

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