Mississippi State's Jarvis Varnado, a 6-9 junior center, is an absolute beast on the defensive end. Not only did he lead the country in blocked shots with approximately 5 per game, his 165 total blocks this season broke Shaquille O'Neal's Southeastern Conference record of 157, which has stood unthreatened since 1992. Varnado, who has a 7-4 wingspan, was named the SEC defensive player of the year last week, becoming the first player in conference history to win the award two years in a row. During the SEC tournament, he averaged 14 points and more than 5 blocks over four games. In the Bulldogs's 64-61 victory over Tennessee in the championship game, he put up 10 points and blocked six shots, locking up the tournament's Most Valuable Player award. Varnado should give Washington all it can handle inside when the Bulldogs, winners of six straight, take on the Huskies in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
