Florida A&M @ Mississippi State preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 17, 2013 ) Florida A&M 65, Mississippi State 78

Mississippi State has enjoyed plenty of down time following a blowout victory in the season opener, with a full week off before Saturday’s home contest against Florida A&M giving the Bulldogs a chance to look at what went well in last week’s 96-68 blowout of Alabama State. Aric Holman matched career highs in points (18) and rebounds (11) in the opener, as the Bulldogs cruised in the first game of a season-opening eight-game homestand through Dec. 9.

Beyond Holman’s production, Mississippi State coach Ben Howland pointed to other items that impressed him in the opener. “He did a great job of passing the ball, stretching the floor and blocking shots,” Howland said of Holman, who recorded his third career double-double. The pace quickens for the Bulldogs entering this weekend, as Mississippi State plays Florida A&M, Green Bay and Stephen F. Austin in a five-day span. The Rattlers have played three times, losing by an average of 29.7 points in falling to Grand Canyon, UNLV and No. 12 Miami (Fla.).

TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network Plus

ABOUT FLORIDA A&M (0-3): The last two games have been difficult for the Rattlers, who lost by 42 at UNLV and 31 at Miami while scoring just 62.5 points per game. Guard Desmond Williams leads three players averaging in double figures at 14.7 points per game, but the Rattlers are shooting just 37.2 percent from the field. Florida A&M also has committed 57 turnovers through three games.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-0): All-SEC honoree Quinndary Weatherspoon, who averaged 16.5 points a season ago, scored 17 points in the season opener. His younger brother, Nick Weatherspoon, started his college career with 11 points and Lamar Peters matched a career best with seven assists as the Bulldogs raced to a 27-point halftime lead. Holman and E.J. Datcher (11 points) both gave the Bulldogs a strong inside presence in the opener.

TIP-INS

1. Quinndary Weatherspoon hit 8-of-9 shots from the field in the opener, moving with 134 points of reaching 1,000 for his career.

2. Mississippi State’s 58 first-half points were its highest output in a first half in three years.

3. Holman came off the bench in the opener, helping the Bulldogs’ reserves score 50 points.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 96, Florida A&M 56