Mississippi State @ Mississippi preview
The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss
Last Meeting ( Feb 21, 2017 ) Mississippi 87, Mississippi State 82
Mississippi State has been one of the SEC’s biggest surprises thus far, and it will try to continue its hot start when it visits Ole Miss on Saturday. The Bulldogs have lost six straight road meetings with the Rebels and seven of the last eight matchups overall.
The Bulldogs rallied in the second half for a 78-75 win over No. 23 Arkansas on Tuesday, snapping their 18-game skid against ranked opponents. Mississippi State’s 13-1 start is its best since going 21-1 to open the 2003-04 campaign, and the team hasn’t won its first two SEC contests since 2013. The Rebels lost 71-60 at Georgia on Wednesday, halting their three-game winning streak and dropping them to 1-1 in conference play. Four of the last six meetings between the in-state rivals have been decided by eight points or fewer.
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network
ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (13-1, 1-0 SEC): The Bulldogs have dominated a weak schedule, but they committed a season-low seven turnovers against Arkansas - a remarkable statistic given the Razorbacks’ penchant for pressure defense. They’ve received excellent play at guard from brothers Quinndary (14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists) and Nick (11.5 points) Weatherspoon. Aric Holman (12.4 points, 7.1 rebounds) and freshman Abdul Ado (6.5, 7.1, 2.5 blocks) have been effective at both ends of the floor and should have an edge against the Rebels’ frontcourt.
ABOUT OLE MISS (8-6, 1-1): The Rebels have used eight different starting lineups featuring 10 different players, but the mainstay has been their performance at guard. The position accounts for 71.3 percent of the team’s scoring, with Terence Davis (14.4 points, 5.7 rebounds), Deandre Burnett (13.9, 4.8 assists) and Markel Crawford (10.9 points) leading the way. Post play has proven to be the team’s greatest weakness, as the starting frontcourt combines for just 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
TIP-INS
1. Mississippi State has shot 50 percent or better seven times this season after doing so in eight games last campaign.
2. Ole Miss' Andy Kennedy needs one victory to become the 23rd coach in SEC history with 100 in conference play.
3. The Rebels have averaged 10.2 3-pointers over their last five home games.
PREDICTION: Mississippi State 74, Ole Miss 72