Stop Trashing Mississippi State Bulldogs to Prop Another One Up

Malik Newman Versus Quinndary Weatherspoon

Malik Newman has not had the year any of us expected him to have. The talent is there, and we see it from time to time, but adjusting to the college game for the Mississippi State Bulldogs with a highly flawed roster has been a struggle.

On the other hand, Quinndary Weatherspoon is having a much better year than most of us anticipated. Most figured he would be the first player off the bench, and for a majority of the season, this was his role. But his play has been so steady, coach Ben Howland awarded him with his first start of the season against the Tennessee Vols. Weatherspoon made it count with 23 points on 8-15 shooting and four rebounds. I’d expect him to stay in the starting five for the rest of the season.

With the hot start by Weatherspoon, the talented freshman has become a fan favorite. And he most certainly should be. He’s done everything Coach Howland has asked of him and more.

But what I don’t like is a trend where I see fans using the struggles of Newman to lift Weatherspoon up. Here are just a few examples.

A football recruit the Mississippi State Bulldogs are targeting even chimed in.

And those are the more tame ones. Some people have really gotten after Newman without even mentioning Weatherspoon.

I’m all for giving more props to Quinndary Weatherspoon. He has done plenty to get much more publicity than what he currently is receiving. But I don’t see the need to tear down Malik Newman in the process. Maybe it is just the residual effects from the last five star prospect we had on campus, that would be Renardo Sidney, but the criticism of Newman has been quick and sharp.

Trust me, Newman is far more disappointed in his ability to produce than any fan is. Malik Newman was supposed to be one of only a handful of Mississippi State Bulldogs to be drafted in the NBA lottery. But his struggles this season have caused his stock tumble all the way down to a late first round pick.

But he is still considered a first round prospect, whether any of us agree with that assessment or not. If you want to continue to heap praise on Quinndary Weatherspoon, I’ll be right there with you. But just let the accomplishments of Weatherspoon speak for themselves without bringing Malik Newman into the discussion.

Next: The 2016 Quarterback Situation