No. 6 Tennessee Basketball vs. No. 14 Mississippi State: How To Watch, Prediction, Preview

Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee basketball is looking to bounce back from Its weekend loss at Vanderbilt as it returns home to host Vanderbilt in Knoxville on Tuesday night.

Mississippi State was the only team in the SEC that Tennessee did not beat last season, falling against the Bulldogs in Starkville and then again in the SEC Tournament.

After dropping two of its first three SEC road games, defending home court is all the more important for Tennessee now. Here’s everything to know about the top 25 showdown.

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How To Watch — No. 6 Tennessee (16-2, 3-2 SEC) vs. No. 14 Mississippi State (15-3, 3-2 SEC)

  • Start Time: 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT
  • Location: Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
  • Watch: ESPN2. PxP: Karl Ravech, CC: Jimmy Dykes
  • Online Streaming: Watch ESPN
  • Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App

Betting Lines

FanDuel Sportsbook

  • Tennessee -7.5 Mississippi State
  • Over/under 140.5

KenPom

  • Tennessee -9 Mississippi State
  • Over/under: 139

What Tennessee AHC Justin Gainey Said About The Bulldogs

On what he remembers about Tennessee’s two games against Mississippi State last season

“No. 12 (Josh Hubbard) is really talented. Can really score the basketball. A big-time shooter. No. 4 (Cameron Matthews), he is just kind does everything. He can score it. He facilitates. He defends. Big-time motor. Those two guys in particular are difference-makers. Then they have a great group around them that buys into their role. I know they added a couple new faces, but it is going to be a tough game. It is going to be a hard-fought game. Just like every game in this league, it is going to be won in the paint. It is going to be who can control the backboards, who can protect the paint and then take care of the basketball.”

Probable Starters

Tennessee (via UT Game Notes):

Mississippi State (via last game):

Team Statistics (via KenPom)

Tennessee:

Mississippi State:

Individual Stat Leaders

Tennessee:

Points: Chaz Lanier — 18.1 PPG, 41.2 FG%, 42.7 3PT%

Rebounds: Igor Milicic — 8.4 RPG, 6.0 DRPG, 2.4 ORPG

Assists: Zakai Zeigler — 7.7 APG, 3.2 TOPG, 33.9 MPG

Mississippi State:

Points: Josh Hubbard — 16.6 PPG, 39.3 FG%, 35.8 3PT%

Rebounds: KeShawn Murray — 7.7 RPG, 5.6 DRPG, 2.1 ORPG

Assists: Cameron Matthews — 3.8 APG, 2.3 TOPG, 27.4 TOPG

Last Five Games

Tennessee:

  • 76-75 loss at Vanderbilt
  • 74-56 win versus Georgia
  • 74-70 win at Texas
  • 73-43 loss at Florida
  • 76-52 win versus Arkansas

Mississippi State:

  • 84-81 win versus Ole Miss (OT)
  • 88-66 loss at Auburn
  • 95-90 loss versus Kentucky
  • 76-64 win at Vanderbilt
  • 85-50 win versus South Carolina

Prediction

Tennessee enters Tuesday night’s matchup against Mississippi State desperate after dropping its second SEC game in five tries at Vanderbilt. With a road trip to No. 1 Auburn later this week, the Vols badly need to knock off Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs continue to take steps forward this season led by star guard Josh Hubbard. Mississippi State lets Hubbard score from everywhere while everyone else attacks the rim. Just like a year ago, the Bulldogs are strong on the glass and have a real presence in the interior.

This will be a tough game but I think Tennessee defends home court and earns a big win.

Tennessee 74, Mississippi State 69

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