Locations: Starkville,Mississippi
Time: 6 p.m.
TV: ESPN2, ESPN3
Initial Analysis: The Mississippi State Bulldogs had a good win this past Saturday against the Auburn Tigers. They will look to exact a little revenge this Thursday versus the in-state rival Ole Miss Rebels. The Rebels took it to the Bulldogs at the Tad Pad, but Thursday’s match-up is at Humphrey Coliseum. The game could be one of the Bulldogs’ most intense all year.
Team Breakdowns
Ole Miss
Coach: Andy Kennedy
Big Wins: Mississippi State, Arkansas
The Andy Kennedy-led Ole Miss Rebels are a team that build themselves around a solid frontcourt. They also possess good length, with every player on the roster being listed at 6’4” and over. Offensively, the Rebels have a balanced scoring attack, and they don’t try to do too much. They play for the smart shot, but if nothing is there, the ball is dumped inside. Defensively, the Rebels use a 2-3 zone, where they take advantage of their length. Reginald Buckner erases most of the mistakes that the Rebels perimeter defenders make on defense. The Rebels length up front should give the Bulldogs trouble all night.
MSU
Coach: Rick Stansbury
Big Wins: Arizona,Texas A&M, West Virginia, Alabama
The Rick Stansbury-led Mississippi State Bulldogs are built around Dee Bost and Arnett Moultrie. They have good size up front, but lack legitimate depth off the bench.
Offensively, Bost is starting to facilitate the offense. He controls the pace and decides whether the ball is dumped down low or kicked to the perimeter. Defensively, the Bulldogs play man-to-man defense. They are an above-average defensive team that does a good job of disrupting passing lanes. The Bulldogs should be a handful for the Rebels.
Projected Line-Ups
Ole Miss
C: Reginald Buckner 6.9 ppg. 8.5 rpg. 2.6 bpg.
PF: Murphy Holloway 10.3 ppg. 9.4 rpg. 1.4 spg.
SF: Terrance Henry 12.2 ppg. 4.8 rpg.
SG: Nick Williams 10.4 ppg. 1.3 apg.
PG: Jarvis Summers 9.9 ppg. 3.3 apg.
Key Reserves: Jalen Kendrick 3.9 ppg. 1.4 spg. , Demarco Cox 3.6 ppg. 3.6 rpg.
Team Leaders
Points: Summers 9.9
Rebounds: Holloway 9.4
Blocks: Buckner 2.6
Steals: Kendrick and Holloway 1.4
Assist: Summers 3.3
MSU
C: Renardo Sidney 10.2 ppg. 4.9 rpg.
PF: Arnett Moultrie 17.0 ppg. 11.1 rpg.
SF: Rodney Hood 11.3 ppg. 5.0 rpg. .407 pp.
SG: Brian Bryant 7.1 ppg. 4.8 rpg.
PG: Dee Bost 15.8 ppg. 3.5 rpg. 4.7 apg.
Key Reserves: Wendell Lewis 4.3 ppg. 4.1 rpg. 1.0 bpg., Jalen Steele 7.9 ppg. 1.7 rpg.
Team Leaders
Points:Moultrie 17.0
Rebounds:Moultrie 11.1
Blocks: Lewis 1.0
Steals: Bost 2.1
Assist: Bost 4.7
Players To Watch
Ole Miss
Reginald Buckner: Buckner had a double-double and caused havoc the last time the Rebels played the Bulldogs. He needs to play big for them to come out with the victory.
MSU
Renardo Sidney:Sidney normally balls out versus Ole Miss. I expect him to continue to do that tomorrow versus the Rebels.
3 Keys To Victory
Ole Miss
Double Moultrie: Moultrie struggled the last time Mississippi State played the Rebels. If Ole Miss doubles him, he might lose the ball a few times.
Get Out And Run: The Bulldogs obviously have trouble with up-tempo basketball. The Rebels must get out and run, to force the pace.
Take It To The Hole: Ole Miss doesn’t shoot well. So, they need to take it to the hole and get higher-percentage shots.
MSU
Feed The Beast: Sidney always plays well versus Ole Miss. He must be fed, tomorrow, in the annual rivalry game.
Control The Pace: Dee Bost must control the pace of the game. If the Bulldogs get in an up-tempo game, then they will lose.
Keep Hood Involved: The Bulldogs normally do well when Rodney Hood has a nice game. He must be kept involved to beat the Rebels.
Final Analysis: The Rebels give the Bulldogs a tough match up, but I feel the Bulldogs inside game will be too much for Ole Miss.
My Prediction: 74-68 Mississippi State
Team Stats
Ole Miss
2011 Scoring Per-Game: 66.2
2011 Scoring Allowed Per-Game: 64.2
2011 Field Goal Percentage: 42.8
2011 3-Point Percentage: 29.6
2011 Rebounds Per-Game: 39.9
2011 Blocks Per Game: 5.5
2011 Steals Per-Game: 6.9
2011 Assists Per-Game: 11.4
2011 Turnovers Per-Game: 16.0
MSU
2011 Scoring Per-Game: 73.8
2011 Scoring Allowed Per-Game: 66.7
2011 Field Goal Percentage: 46.5
2011 3-Point Percentage: 36.8
2011 Rebounds Per-Game: 37.0
2011 Blocks Per-Game: 3.7
2011 Steals Per-Game: 6.3
2011 Assists Per-Game: 13.2
2011 Turnovers Per-Game: 11.7
February 8, 2012
News, Sports