2007-2008 Preseason SEC Player of the Year

Apologies for the absence – times have been hectic. Now, on with the show…

2007-2008 SEC Preseason Player of the Year

Jamont Gordon (Miss. State – Point Guard – Junior – 16.0ppg, 7.1rpg, 5.3apg)

After an intense debate between Tennessee’s Lofton and Gordon, it was decided that Gordon was the more versatile and better all-around player.

Gordon, a power forward in high-school, committed to a Mississippi State team that was losing nearly every important contributor on the roster. A team that had seen four-straight NCAA tournaments, and some SEC overall and divisional titles thrown in the mix, but would be one of the youngest in the nation. With coach Rick Stansbury’s lack of a true point guard in the class, Gordon was hoisted into the position.

Predictably, the Tennessee-native and Top 30 pick out of high-school struggled with ball-handling. Despite a gaudy 13.8ppg, 6.8rpg, and 4.3apg, Gordon had an inate ability to turn the ball over at crucial points in big games. The result was a sub-.500 record on the year for the Bulldogs.

His sophomore season, however, would be a big one. After a non-conference performance very similar to his freshman campaign’s effort, Gordon transformed himself into a drive-and-dish point and Mississippi State excelled as a result. Gordon’s assist-to-turnover ratio was nearing 3-to-1 by late in the conference slate, and his numbers improved overall in every category: 16.0ppg, 7.1rpg, 5.3apg. Gordon also is nearing many records – including most assists dispersed – at Mississippi State with two years of eligibility left and recorded MSU’s second-ever triple-double versus then-17th-ranked Vanderbilt with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Although it was too little too late for the Bulldogs concerning the NCAA’s, they were rewarded with a #1 overall seed in the NIT where they fell one point short to eventual champion West Virginia of facing Clemson in the title game.

Gordon is now surrounded by a more experienced, talented, and deep squad. His natural ability to charge the basket, take fouls and follow through is unquestioned. Gordon has a mind-boggling first step that paralyzes any player brave enough to match up against him 1-on-1. The 6′4″, 230lb. guard is also built like a horse, and plenty tough enough to out-muscle his way past any point he’s matched up with. He’s improved his shot from the field – see last year’s last-second shot to send the game to overtime versus Kentucky in the SEC Tournament – and can literally score however he wants to.

The question for this ridiculously talented junior now is, how can he make his team better? He learned last season, but will that continue this coming season with Gordon now complimented by many more role-players than he is used to? If Jamont can avoid injury, look for his points to improve slightly to near 18ppg, his assists to improve greatly near 7 or 8 a game, and his rebounds to hover around the same.

If the Bulldogs compete as they are set to do, look for Gordon to be solidly listed as an All-American come March.