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Next Year's NBA Draft Could End First Round Drought For Bulldogs

Now that was a bad NBA Draft. Two of the top three picks played a combined 11 games last season in college. Halfway through the telecast, even the analysts couldn't give quality scouting reports on some of the international prospects. Finally, it seemed the biggest story line of the draft concerned a Czech Republic prospect’s girlfriend.

And on the Mississippi State front, it wasn’t much better. Ravern Johnson, who reportedly worked out for Boston, Memphis and Washington, didn't get picked up. Though it was expected, it emphasized the fact scouts have had little reason to visit Starkville over the past decade. Mississippi State just doesn't produce a lot of NBA talent. 

It's even more glaring when you have to go back to 1996 to find the last time the Bulldogs had a player selected in the first round (Erick Dampier and Dontae' Jones).

But thanks to a player who hasn't even suited up in the maroon and white, Mississippi State may finally break the streak.

NBADraft.net has Arnett Moultrie going in the first round of it's 2012 NBA mock draft. The site has the junior taking his talents to South Beach, going 28th overall to Miami. During his two years with the Miners, the 6-foot-11, 225-pound Memphis native drew 67 starts, averaging 9.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. Despite his underdeveloped frame, analysts dig his height and potential.

Then in the second round, NBADraft.net has Renardo Sidney and Dee Bost go back-to-back to the L.A. Clippers and Charlotte Bobcats, respectively. 

And according to Chad Ford’s Top 100 overall players for the 2012 Draft ($), Moultrie checks in at No. 32 and Sidney is in at No. 72. No sign of Bost

So for the first time in over 15 years, the Bulldogs have three legit prospects with the chance of being selected by an NBA team in next year's draft, one of whom that is projected to end up in the first round. You know, that's if there even is an NBA season next year.