TOLU SMITH NEWS

Expected to play Saturday Smith (knee) is warming up ahead of Saturday's matchup with Arkansas, Stefan Krajisnik of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports.

Impact Smith has missed the previous three contests due to a knee injury, but he's expected to return Saturday. He's started every game he's appeared in his season and is averaging 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 25.9 minutes per game.

FEBRUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as questionable Smith (knee) is considered questionable for Saturday's game against Arkansas, Stefan Krajisnik of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports.

Impact Smith took part in the team's halfcourt practice Thursday, which is at least a sign of progress ahead of Saturday's clash. We may not get confirmation of his status, however, until the Bulldogs take the floor for pregame warmups.

FEBRUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out Tuesday Smith (knee) is progressing with his injury but will remain out for Tuesday's game against South Carolina, Theo DeRosa of The Commercial Dispatch reports.

Impact Smith has missed the last two games for Mississippi State with a knee injury that will keep him out again on Tuesday. The 6-foot-11 junior has started eight games this season, averaging 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals on 25.9 minutes per game. There still isn't a set timetable on Smith's expected return moving forward.

FEBRUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains without timetable Coach Ben Howland said Friday that Smith (knee) doesn't yet have a timetable to return, Theo DeRosa of the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Impact Howland said that Smith has been showing progress in his recovery recently, but he doesn't yet know when the junior will be cleared for game action. The center underwent an MRI last weekend that revealed no structural damage, but he remains week-to-week.

JANUARY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Considered week-to-week Smith (knee) is considered week-to-week after an MRI revealed no structural damage, Andy Kostka of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports.

Impact Kostka reports that the official diagnosis of the injury is a dislocated his knee, but the fact that there is no structural damage means he's avoided a season-ending issue. In his absence, Javian Davis will likely see increased playing time and may even move into the starting lineup.

JANUARY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Set for MRI Smith will undergo an MRI on his knee Sunday, Stefan Krajisnik of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports.

Impact Smith suffered an injury which head coach Ben Howland believes may be a dislocated knee during Sunday's game against Mississippi. The exact nature of the injury and Smith's expected return timeline should become clearer following the MRI.

JANUARY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gators have to guard against Bulldog's Tolu Smith The Gators will have to play well to beat a very good Bulldog team tonight.

JANUARY 19, 2022 • 247SPORTS.COM

Logs 20 minutes against Alabama Smith fouled out of Saturday's 78-76 win over Alabama after recording six points (2-6 FG, 2-2 FT) and four rebounds in 20 minutes.

Impact Smith has already missed multiple long stretches of games this season due to a recurring foot injury, and while the culprit of his recent two-game absence was never officially disclosed, it wouldn't be outlandish to assume they are related. When healthy, the 6-11 Smith has served as the starting center in every game he's played, and the numbers have been pretty solid two. The upperclassman has averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds in the six games he has played, which isn't too far off from the numbers posted in his breakout 2020-21 campaign that saw him start 30 games. It appears there isn't much hesitation to deploy Smith when he's issued the proper clearance, but it wouldn't be surprising to see more maintenance days down the stretch.

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting in return Smith will start Saturday's game against Alabama.

Impact Smith wasn't expected to start in his first game back from COVID-19 protocols, but it appears he's ready to handle his normal role in the starting lineup. The big man is extremely productive when at 100 percent, averaging 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, though it remains to be seen if he will be on any sort of minutes restriction.

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Set to return Saturday Smith (undisclosed) has been cleared to retake the floor Saturday versus Alabama, Jon Sokoloff of WCBI News reports.

Impact Smith's presence down low will be a huge boon for the Bulldogs after missing six of the last seven games for various reasons. The junior has been impressive when healthy, racking up 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. However, Sokoloff notes that Smith's return Saturday will likely come off the bench, suggesting he may not be ready for a full workload immediately.

JANUARY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Wednesday Smith (undisclosed) will miss Wednesday's game against Georgia, 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Smith will skip his second consecutive game for the Bulldogs due to COVID-19 protocols. He's expected to be back in action whenever he clears the protocol and seems likely to be on the floor for Saturday's clash with Alabama.

JANUARY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chance to face Georgia Coach Ben Howland said that if Smith tests negative for COVID-19 he will be in line to play against Georgia on Wednesday, Andy Kostka of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports.

Impact Smith did not play in Saturday's game against Ole Miss. He has played in just one game in the last six contests due to a foot injury that he now appears to be over. We should know more about his status as Wednesday's game against Georgia draws closer.

JANUARY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Smith will miss Saturday's game against Mississippi for undisclosed reasons, Andy Kostka of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports.

Impact Smith missed four games at the start of the season with a stress fracture in his left foot and later missed four more in December with a broken toe. Whether his latest absence is related to his previous injuries is unclear.

JANUARY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leads Bulldogs in win Smith provided 18 points (5-8 FG, 8-10 FT), six rebounds and five steals across 25 minutes during Wednesday's 81-68 victory over Arkansas.

Impact Smith was making his firs appearance since Dec. 5 in this one. He looked really strong despite a sore foot, as his 18 points were a team high. Smith's five steals were also a career high. He will look to carry this into next Wednesday's game against Missouri.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back in starting lineup Wednesday Smith (foot) is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Arkansas.

Impact Smith will be making his return after missing the last few weeks with a foot injury. Smith has been battling soreness in practice, but will play through it and give it all he has in the SEC opener.

DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with soreness Smith has been dealing with some soreness in his feet and is day-to-day according to coach Ben Howland, Andy Kostka of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports.

Impact Smith has been able to participate in practice over the last few days, but his feet has been very sore as one might expect after sitting the last three weeks. It's unclear if he will be ready for Wednesday's game against Arkansas, but a return appears to be coming soon.

DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Aiming to practice after holiday break Coach Ben Howland said that Smith (foot) is aiming to start practicing after the holiday break, Stefan Krajisnik of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports.

Impact Coach Howland added that he expects Smith to have some pain in the next couple weeks, but hopes that it will slowly start to go away. A mid-January return is looking like the most likely return date as long as Smith is able to avoid any setbacks.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mississippi State basketball forward Tolu Smith out vs Colorado State with foot injury Mississippi State basketball forward Tolu Smith is out against Colorado State with a foot injury.

DECEMBER 11, 2021 • CLARIONLEDGER.COM

Set to miss a few weeks Smith (foot) is expected to miss several weeks while rehabbing from injury, Andy Kostka of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports.

Impact Smith has a fractured pinky toe on his right foot, and while he has been trying to play through the injury, he is now going to be out a few weeks to heal properly. It is believed he might return around Christmas.

DECEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

In boot, out Saturday Smith has a boot on his right foot and is not available for Saturday's game against Colorado State, Andy Kostka of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports.

Impact Smith had recently returned from a stress fracture in the foot, so the boot isn't exactly a great sign. With him unavailable for Saturday's game, Cameron Matthews and Javian Davis could be in line for additional run Saturday.

DECEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

As Tolu Smith learns to play center, he leans on his former Mississippi State basketball roommate Mississippi State basketball's Tolu Smith is still learning how to play center. His former roommate, Abdul Ado, is a big help.

DECEMBER 9, 2021 • CLARIONLEDGER.COM

Smith's double-double helps Mississippi St. beat Lamar 75-60

Tolu Smith scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Mississippi State pulled away early in the second half for a 75-60 victory over Lamar

DECEMBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rounding into form Smith closed with 22 points (10-11 FG, 2-3 FT), 11 rebounds and one steal in 32 minutes during Saturday's 82-71 OT victory over Richmond.

Impact It was only his second game of the season after a foot injury delayed his start, but Smith looked to be in midseason form against a strong -- though underachieving -- Richmond squad. Smith recorded eight double-doubles for the Bulldogs a season ago, so this will likely be far from his last fantasy-friendly performance.

NOVEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Smith near perfect; Mississippi St. downs Richmond in OT

Tolu Smith scored 22 points with 11 rebounds and Iverson Molinar scored 15 and Mississippi State beat Richmond 82-71 in overtime in the consolation game of the Bahamas Championship

NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starts, plays 21 minutes in return Smith had 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-4 FT) and seven rebounds across 21 minutes during Thursday's 72-58 loss to Louisville.

Impact Smith missed the first four games of the season while tending to a foot injury, but he was back in the starting lineup by Thanksgiving Day and put up a stat line reminiscent of the 12.6 points and 8.5 rebounds he averaged through 30 games (all starts) a season ago. Even with North Carolina transfer Garrison Brooks joining him in the frontcourt, it appears Smith can still be a fantasy asset, especially in formats that place extra value on center eligibility.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE