The Missouri Tigers and Mississippi State Bulldogs meet on Thursday in college basketball action at Bridgestone Arena. Here’s a Missouri vs Mississippi State prediction. This article will include a Missouri vs Mississippi State Pick.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Betting Preview
The Mississippi State Bulldogs (21-11, 15-17 ATS) didn’t play well late in the regular season as they concluded it with four losses in five games. Following losses to Texas and Arkansas, Mississippi State finished in 10th place in the SEC Standings and had to play in the first round of the conference tournament, where the Bulldogs dismantled LSU 91-62.
Mississippi State averages 79.6 PPG (49th) and allows 74.2 PPG (252nd). The Bulldogs are 57th in rebounds (38.1) and 83rd in assists (15.3). Josh Hubbard leads the team with 18.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, and 3.3 APG. KeShawn Murphy follows him with 11.6 PPG, a team-high 7.5 RPG, and a team-high 1.2 BPG, while Claudell Harris Jr. chips in 9.8 PPG and 2.9 RPG.
Missouri Tigers Betting Preview
The Missouri Tigers (21-10, 17-14 ATS) have been inconsistent recently after losing four of the last eight games. The Tigers concluded the regular season with three consecutive defeats as they lost to Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and Kentucky, allowing 90+ points in each. Missouri came to the SEC tournament as the No. 7 seed.
Missouri is averaging 84.5 PPG (9th) and is allowing 73.2 PPG (221st). The Tigers are getting 34.1 RPG (280th) and dish out 14.0 APG (181st). Mark Mitchell is the team’s top performer with 14.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.0 SPG. Caleb Grill has 14.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 1.7 SPG, while Tamar Bates contributes 12.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 1.4 SPG.
Why Mississippi State will beat Missouri
- Missouri has lost each of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
- Mississippi State has won each of its last six Thursday games against the Southeastern Conference.
- Mississippi State has won the first half in six of its last seven night games against Missouri.
Why Missouri will beat Mississippi State
- Mississippi State has lost 20 of its last 23 night games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Missouri has won 11 of its last 14 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Missouri has won the first half in five of its last six night games against the Southeastern Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Missouri’s last 10 Conference Tournament games has produced a total of 152 or fewer points.
- Each of Mississippi State’s last 10 games against Conference opponents at neutral venues has produced a total of 153 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Missouri ranks T6th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (9.6).
- Missouri ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (122.8).
- Mississippi State ranks 34th among Division 1 teams for turnover percentage this season (12.8%).
- Mississippi State ranks T38th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (4.6).
Missouri vs Mississippi State Prediction
Mississippi State won eight of the previous ten H2H encounters, but Missouri won the first meeting of this season when it was 88-61 at Mississippi State. I am not sure about the winner of this clash on Thursday, but I am pretty sure we’re going to have an entertaining and high-scoring affair. Both teams are 8-2 Over/Under in their last ten respective games, while the lone H2H also went Over. Furthermore, Mississippi State is 20-12-0 Over/Under, while Missouri is 19-12-0 Over/Under this year.