The Alabama Crimson Tide is back on the road in Starkville to face off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a top-15 matchup. Read more for a complete Alabama vs Mississippi State prediction and preview.
Alabama basketball is coming off a struggle win versus LSU, an 80-73 victory. It pulled away late to get the win, while its player of the year candidate, Mark Sears, was benched for the whole second half. The Tide have owned Mississippi State, winning the last six matchups between the two teams.
“I thought the last two practices were the best two practices we’ve had before a game all year. We’ve been on these guys, I think they’re starting to get it,” said head coach Nate Oats.
Game Information:
Teams: Alabama (15-3, 4-1) and Mississippi State (16-4, 4-3)
Tip-Off: 8:00 p.m. CST ( 9:00 EST)
Where to Watch: SEC Network
How to Listen: Tide 100.9
Latest on Mississippi State Basketball:
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are entering year three under Chris Jans, who was at New Mexico State before arriving in Starkville in 2022. The Bulldogs are off to a 16-4 start and have arguably Jan’s best roster he has had while at State.
So far this season, the Bulldogs’ marquee victories in non-conference play came in wins over Pittsburgh 90-57 and Memphis 79-66. So far in SEC play, it has won two in a row and most recently won on the road at South Carolina in a 65-60 win in overtime. Florida transfer Riley Kugel had 15 points off the bench, and Birmingham, Alabama native Keshawn Murphy had 13 points off the bench.
The Bulldogs have four guys who average double figures: Josh Hubbard, Claudell Harris Jr., Kugel, and Murphy
Hubbard is leading the team in scoring for a second straight season, averaging 16.2 PPG this season. Murphy leads the Bulldogs on the glass off the bench, averaging 7.2 RPG as a 6″10 big. Fifth-year Senior Cameron Matthews leads the team in assists, averaging 3.8 APG.
Per KenPom, the Bulldogs are ranked 18th in offensive efficiency numbers and just outside the top 30 at 35th in defensive efficiency. The team is the 8th-ranked team in its conference in the rankings by the numbers. The team averages around 80.7 PPG and shoots 32.2% from the three-point line.
Last year, Mississippi State finished 21-14 (8-10 in conference play) and was knocked out in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 64 against Michigan State.
Latest on Alabama Basketball:
Alabama is coming off a win in which Aden Holloway led the team in scoring and now has scored double-figures off the bench in the last eight out of nine games since December 22nd. Coach Oats is looking for a better game regarding the effort plays and a full, complete game on the defensive end of the floor.
Derrion Reid has yet to be back from injury, but is starting to practice more and more and is closer to returning, but remains questionable for the game.
“He’s done more in practice today than he’s done up to this point. I’m not the trainer, and I don’t make these decisions, but he looked pretty good to me,” said Oats.
Clifford Omoruyi continues to get more and more looks from lobs and in the dunker spot and is coming off a good second half and getting the hard hat for the second time this season.
Chris Youngblood took over for Labaron Philon in the starting lineup and had 13 points. Philon had tweaked an ankle in practice last week but played through it and had 11 points in the previous game.
Sears, despite scoring zero points in the last game, still leads the team, averaging 18.0 PPG on the season. Grant Nelson continues to be a force around the glass in the rebounding department, averaging 8.4 RPG. Sears leads the team in assists at 4.8 APG, whereas the team averages 17.0 APG.
Per KenPom, Alabama is back in the top three at third in offensive efficiency. On the defensive end, the team has an efficiency ranking of 43, up two spots from the last game. Alabama is averaging 90.4 PPG while shooting 32.5% from three.
Alabama vs Mississippi State prediction: Crimson Tide by 5
Alabama will be in for a tough game physically on the glass. It will have to fend off the Bulldogs and win the rebounding battle. If the Tide does that, they’ll get out of town with a close win of 85-80.
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