New scene, new role and more production for Mississippi State center Michael Nwoko
Perhaps no other Mississippi State player has faced a bigger change this season than sophomore center Michael Nwoko. That regards on and off the court for the native of Toronto, Canada.
The 6-foot-10 and 245-pound Nwoko began his college career at Miami last season before transferring to Mississippi State where he has experienced a much bigger role with the Bulldogs.
Last season Nwoko averaged 8.8 minutes a game with one start while averaging 2.0 rebounds and 2.7 points a game. But as a Bulldog he has more than doubled his production. So far this season, Nwoko has started 22 games and played 16 minutes a game while averaging 6.6 points and 4.9 rebounds a game.
Earlier this week, Maroon and White Daily caught up with Nwoko to discuss his ongoing sophomore season in Starkville along with his future:
Q: You came out on fire in the Georgia game. Was that part of the gameplan?
Nwoko: I just came out of the gates and wanted to be aggressive and my teammates kept getting me the ball. Obviously, it started with them (teammates), too.
Q: How do you feel your offensive game is coming along?
Nwoko: I feel like I have to still work on that. I’ve been working on it with our assistant coaches and getting extra work in. Just trusting the process and keep working on my game.
Q: How has your conditioning been since the season started?
Nwoko: It’s been good. I am just working every day and that’s what it is. Just keeping consistent and that is the main thing. Just being consistent.
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Q: There’s a lot left to play for this season. But what do you want to improve on in the offseason?
Nwoko: I will definitely say conditioning. Just working on my game. I feel like every aspect of my game I have to keep working on and just keep getting better.
Q: How have you adjusted to Mississippi State and Starkville?
Nwoko: I feel like I have adjusted well. I wouldn’t call myself a Starkvegan or whatever the word is. But I have adjusted well. It’s a nice town and I like it here.
Q: How did you prepare yourself, mentally, going into the season knowing you would be playing more minutes than you did at Miami?
Nwoko: Just knowing where my feet are at. That’s the main thing. Trusting the process and taking it day-by-day. I can always control what I can control and that’s the thing.
Q: How does it feel to play such a bigger role this year?
Nwoko: It definitely feels great. If I wasn’t playing a bigger role I wouldn’t be on the floor helping my team win the game. It feels good, for sure.
Q: What is your go-to place to eat in Starkville?
Nwoko: I would say Umi and I like Taste a lot.
Q: You have a chance to be in your first NCAA Tournament later this year. How’s that process been different from your time at Miami?
Nwoko: Definitely good and the new goal is to win in March Madness. They went to March Madness last year so that is the new goal. I feel like it is good to think about that stuff. But we have big goals as a team and we want to keep focused and keep taking it day-by-day. We got to start winning the tough games.
