Tolu Smith breaks down his recent improvement in his shooting

Mississippi State forward Tolu Smith has been shooting the basketball at a very high clip this season. But these last few games have marked some of his best numbers of the season.

He has shot over 60% in each of the last four games with two double-doubles and scoring at least 15 points in all four games.

After Saturday’s 63-52 victory, Smith discussed his recent output for the Bulldogs.

“Just staying consistent, staying in the gym,” Smith said. “Shoutout to coach Miller and Coach Jans. Still trying to perfect the shot and just hold my follow through.”

Smith finished the game against the Tigers with 25 points and 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season. He shot 8 of 12 from the field and 9 of 12 from the free-throw line.

“We got goals we’re trying to reach, trying to get to the tournament,” Smith said. “I just feel like whatever it takes, whether I score 20 points or zero points, as long as we get the win.”

Behind great shooting, Tolu Smith wins SEC Player of the Week

Tolu Smith’s performance against Missouri and South Carolina led to him winning SEC Player of the Week.

“Smith, a 6-foot-11, 245-pound senior from Bay St. Louis, Miss., averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and a steal in wins over South Carolina and Missouri. He became the sixth MSU player since 2017-18 and 42nd player overall to eclipse 1,000 points in program history. Smith has ripped off double figures in seven straight games and registered double-doubles in five of his last seven outings headed by a trio of 20-10 games. The 25 points versus Missouri was an SEC season-high for Smith, and the nine free throws made were a career-high,” the SEC said in a press release.