MSU-LSU Post-Game Wrap-Up: Bulldogs Get Upset On The Road

Instant Analysis

The Mississippi State Bulldogs were looking to take out some frustrations on the LSU Tigers, last night. The Tigers had a different idea; they defeated the Bulldogs, in overtime, 69-67. The Tigers were paced by Ralston Turner, who scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds. The Bulldogs fell to 19-7 overall and 6-5 in the SEC.

 Key Stats

 1. MSU’s 21 Turnovers: This was the story of the game. The Bulldogs couldn’t control the ball, and they lost the game because of it.

2. MSU’s +11 Rebound Margin: There aren’t many times a team grabs 11 more rebounds than the other team and loses. But the Bulldogs did.

 3. MSU’s One Block: I’ve mentioned this in previous games. Stansbury must go out and get a big man who can protect the paint.

 What I Liked

 Deville: The only thing I liked about this game is seeing Deville getting back on the court.

 What I Didn’t Like

 Criticism Of Sidney: The criticism this kid receives is just ridiculous, in my opinion. The kid makes a key “three” that gave the Bulldogs a chance to win, and he still gets blame for the loss. I guess Sidney is the Bulldog fans’ Red Herring. If the Bulldogs lose – blame Sidney is the easy answer.

 Bryant Missed Free Throw: You have to make those free throws, plain and simple.

 Stansbury Giving Last Shot to Moultrie: This is a Stansbury criticism. Why does he draw up a play for the fourth-best scorer on the team? He has Bost, Sidney, and Hood, but Moultrie is the player who gets the play drawn for him. Moultrie is a nice player, but he is not a scorer.

 Players To Watch

LSU

Johnny O’Bryant: I expected more from O’Bryant. He only had four points and four rebounds.

MSU

Renardo Sidney: Sidney had a solid game, with 13 points and four rebounds.

3 Keys To Victory

LSU

1. Get Out And Run: LSU started to play up-tempo and that’s when they got back in the game.

 2. Go At Sidney: Sidney got in a little foul trouble in the first half, but he did a good job of not fouling in the second half.

 3. Take High Percentage Shots: The Tigers shot 40 percent from the field. So, they didn’t take high percentage shots.

MSU

 1. Pressure LSU’s Guards: The Tiger guards only committed four turnovers. So, the Bulldogs didn’t do a good enough job of pressuring them.

 2. Control The Pace: I think the Bulldogs did a good job of controlling pace. But, they committed way too many turnovers.

 3. Selectively Attack The Paint: The Bulldogs scored some points in the paint, but I expected them to do a little better in the post.

Final Analysis

 The Bulldogs have three days off before they get ready to face the Auburn Tigers Saturday. The road game will be a 7 p.m. tip.

Real Story Player Of The Game

 Ralston Turner:  Turner wasn’t mentioned as a key player, but he stepped up, last night, and gets my Player of the Game award.

Follow Jeremiah Short on Twitter: @JeremiahShort26