Game Day Essentials: Game #33 at Mississippi St

Mississippi St Info

Head Coach: Ben Howland
Location: Starkville, MS
Conference: SEC
Nickname: Bulldogs

Last time out: Lost to LSU
Typical Rotation Depth: 8+
Line: MSU by 4

Tempo: Average

Defense: Mostly man

Style: Low assist % / Medium 3pa%

Conference only

Somewhat surprisingly the team doesn't get to the line often. Once you take away their non-conference teams their number look a bit pedestrian.

Most Frequent Lineups over the last 5 games

Nebraska

Miss St

After sustaining a scary Shavon Shield-esque fall in the SEC tourney, starting guard Nick Weatherspoon is out. The slashing Nick Weatherspoon is probably replaced in the starting lineup with Gallegos like Tyson Carter.

Players to watch:  Lamar Peters

The highly regarded 6'0" soph PG has regressed in terms of shooting this year from the 3pt line though in his last 3 games has gone 13/23 from downtown.  He's a ball-hawk who generates steals and leads the team in assists.  He's also a bit turnover prone. 

Players to watch:  Quinndary Weatherspoon

The JR SG is Miss St's leading scorer and also leads a team that doesn't make it to the FT line a ton in FT attempts. Like most of the Bulldogs he's done most of his damage inside the arc as his 3pt shooting has regressed. Look for 'Spoon to try and take over the game for Miss St at the end if it's close. His ability to also find teammates makes him a poor man's James Palmer.

Players to watch:  Aric Holman

Holman is a stretch 4 who can do damage inside and outside and is currently their best 3pt shooter. He's also a superior shot blocker and has a nose for rebounds. Look for Copeland to cover him when the Huskers aren't playing zone.

Players to watch:  Abdul Ado

The highly regarded freshman didn't play against the Huskers as he was recovering from an injury. The 6'11" 250 lb has started all games since returning to the point where Schinder Herard transferred from the program mid-season. Ado has a great touch around the basket and is also an elite shot blocker and excellent rebounder. The big man is turnover prone like most and anytime he brings the ball down or attempt to dribble it's a turnover waiting to happen.

Last Time vs Mississippi St

Nebraska roared out to a huge 48-32 half time lead thanks to hot 3pt shooting.  Nebraska went cold in the second half, going 0-13 from 3 and the Bulldogs made a series of runs to close the gap. Watson and McVeigh FTs at the end staved off the comeback.

Miles Presser

Taylor Presser

Gill Presser

Mostly it's 3 people telling you they're ticked off

The Skinny

For most of the season I've made the joke about how they should put the exhibition game back in October on our tourney resume. Well, the jokes on Nebraska as they were given an unrepresentative seed in the tourney and relegated to the road. First stop, Starkvegas.

Mississippi St has changed personnel since the last time we faced them but they're still the same poor shooting 3pt team that did all of their damage inside.  Expect Nebraska to throw out a couple of zones tonight as not only are the Bulldogs a poor shooting outside team...they're also not that great of a passing team that will turn the ball over to a Nebraska team that will punish this type of behavior. In man defense keeping Roby and Copeland out of trouble will be key.  Jordy and Dube will see time while Ado is on the court.  Nebraska's defense has been built to stop the 3 at the expense of the 2 this year....can you shift your philosophy for this game?

Offensively who can the Huskers get going besides James Palmer and will they get back to their ball sharing ways?  Earlier in the season I think the shot blocking of the Bulldogs would have shut down Palmer but I think he's made that adjustment in conference.  The Huskers will often have height advantages in individual matchups. Can they take advantage? 

NIT games are often like playing a game during the holidays against an inferior opponent: not everyone takes it that seriously.  Who is going to take it seriously for Nebraska? For Mississippi St?  While the Bulldogs may be down a starter they're a young group (no seniors) rebuilding a program under Ben Howland. Next year all of those guys will be back...this is a game that builds towards that goal at home.  What exactly is Nebraska, a team that had been playing the whole year to make the NCAA tournament, playing for?

Prediction: Mississippi St 73 - Nebraska 66