Arkansas @ Mississippi State preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 10, 2017 ) Mississippi State 84, Arkansas 78

Arkansas looks to build on a six-game winning streak when it travels to take on equally hot Mississippi State, which has won four straight, in the SEC opener for the Bulldogs. The Razorbacks won their SEC bow Saturday, edging Tennessee in overtime, while the Bulldogs are looking for their first win in a conference opener in five seasons.

Senior guards Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon drive the Razorbacks' offense as they rank 1-2 in scoring at 19.3 and 16.7 points per game, respectively, as well as in assists, with each averaging at least 3.5. Arkansas leads the SEC and is ninth in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.58, though coach Mike Anderson's squad might have a little trouble forcing as many miscues against Mississippi State, which has a plus-1.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. The Bulldogs are coming off their first 100-point game since coach Ben Howland's debut as coach in November 2015. Guard Quinndary Weatherspoon leads four double-figure scorers for Mississippi State, averaging 14.2 points as well as being the team leader in assists.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, SEC Network

ABOUT ARKANSAS (11-2, 1-0 SEC): Arkansas' offense has been the focus this season, with the Razorbacks averaging 90.4 points, but the defense has been key as well as the team has allowed only 74.6 points. Teams are shooting 42.2 percent from the field against the Razorbacks, including 33.8 percent from 3-point range, and Arkansas has forced 72 more turnovers than it has committed. The big key has been when the Razorbacks have been able to put together a run to put teams away, like two of the last three contests, when they've had scoreless streaks by opponents of 6:23 and 5:41, leading to runs of 19 and 13 points, respectively.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (12-1, 0-0): Ball movement has been a key for Howland's squad this season as getting easier shots has helped the team to wins in almost every game. In the team's one loss - to Cincinnati - the Bulldogs scored a season-low 50 points thanks to only nine assists in the contest, compared to the 15.3 the team has dished out in its wins. Weatherspoon averages 4.6 per game, but he's not the only passer on the squad, with Lamar Peters (3.7), Nick Weatherspoon (2.4) and Tyson Carter (2.0) each averaging at least 2 per game, showing the teamwork the Bulldogs have shown this season.

TIP-INS

1. Arkansas has scored more than 90 points in a game nine times in its first 13 contests for the first time since the 1993-94 season.

2. Mississippi State freshman F Abdul Ado ranks third in the SEC with 2.3 blocks per game, which is the highest average in school history for a freshman.

3. The Bulldogs lead the SEC and are tied for 21st nationally, allowing 62.6 points per game.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 76, Arkansas 74