Perry chosen as SEC Freshman of the Week
Reggie Perry is a blossoming star for Mississippi State's men's basketball team and his efforts aren't going unnoticed around the Southeastern Conference.
Perry was picked as the SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday after a pair of standout performances in his last two games. In back-to-back contests, Perry has set career bests in points. He scored 18 against Alabama last Tuesday, then topped that with 21 against Ole Miss on Saturday.
“I've just wanted to come out and be more aggressive,” Perry said after Saturday's game. “My confidence has been up pretty much since we started (the SEC schedule). My teammates have done a good job of getting me in the right positions and keeping me motivated.”
Perry nearly averaged a double-double last week. Over the two contests, he averaged 19.5 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per game.
His efforts didn't result in a win at Alabama as State ultimately lost that game 83-79, but Perry was arguably the key to MSU'S 81-75 victory over Ole Miss over the weekend.
In addition to his 21 points, he also secured 11 rebounds for his third career double-double. Seven of his boards came on the offensive glass.
He also sank a pair of critical 3-pointers – one that gave MSU a 62-60 lead and another that broke a 73-73 tie late in the game.
However it's Perry's rebounding ability that Howland believes really sets Perry apart.
“(It's) his focus, his size, his strength and his hands,” Howland said. “He has really, really good hands. He has phenomenal hands – some of the best gloves I've ever seen on a player. That's saying something. He has really great hands. If anything is in his area, he's going to snatch it.”
Howland and the Bulldogs will be counting heavily on Perry to continue his success this week. Mississippi State faces a pair of critical games as MSU hosts No. 21 LSU at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, then welcomes No. 5 Kentucky to Starkville for a noon tilt on Saturday.
(Photo by Rogelio V. Solis, AP)