Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Missouri Tigers Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

No. 14 Mississippi State Looks to Hold Firm Against No. 20 Missouri

Mississippi State has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but the Bulldogs will need to find consistency as they host No. 20 Missouri in a crucial SEC battle on Saturday. After suffering two heartbreaking home losses to elite conference opponents, the Bulldogs are determined to turn the tide against a Missouri team that has already proven its ability to beat top-ranked foes.

Bulldogs Searching for a Statement Win

Mississippi State (16-5, 4-4 SEC) has been competitive against some of the best teams in the country, but close losses have prevented them from solidifying their place among the nation’s elite. Their latest setback—a hard-fought 88-84 defeat to No. 4 Alabama on Wednesday—mirrored their earlier 95-90 loss to then-No. 6 Kentucky at home.

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Head coach Chris Jans didn’t sugarcoat the situation.

“At this point, I would just say we are not a Top 10 team. I don’t like saying or admitting that because I like this team. I am confident and believe in this group. We have to stay the course.”

Despite the recent losses, Mississippi State has built a strong NCAA Tournament résumé, with key victories over Memphis, Pitt, Vanderbilt, and Ole Miss. But with four ranked opponents in a five-game stretch, the Bulldogs know that every game carries weight.

Guard Claudell Harris Jr. emphasized the importance of staying mentally strong.

“SEC play is a gauntlet, and you will have your ups and downs, but at the end of the day, you just have to keep fighting. We will get back.”

Leading the way for the Bulldogs is Josh Hubbard, who averages 17.3 points and 3.0 assists per game. Hubbard was nearly unstoppable against Alabama, dropping a season-high 38 points. KeShawn Murphy (10.8 ppg), Harris (10.6 ppg), and Riley Kugel (10.2 ppg) provide additional scoring options for a team that will need to execute offensively to overcome Missouri’s defensive pressure.

Missouri Looking to Build Momentum

Missouri (16-4, 5-2 SEC) enters this matchup with confidence after bouncing back from a disappointing 61-53 loss at Texas to defeat then-No. 16 Ole Miss 83-75 last Saturday. The Tigers have already proven they can compete with top-tier opponents, securing signature wins over Kansas and Florida earlier in the season.

Head coach Dennis Gates emphasized ball movement as a key factor in Missouri’s offensive resurgence against Ole Miss.

“I felt like there was a lot of times where someone drove in there, they played off two feet, they drew two (defenders), kick, kick, and we were getting open looks when we were attacking the paint.”

Missouri’s offense features a balanced attack, with Tamar Bates leading the way at 13.5 points per game. Mark Mitchell (13.1 ppg), Caleb Grill (12.7 ppg), and Anthony Robinson II (10.2 ppg) also contribute double-digit scoring.

Bates, who scored 26 points against Ole Miss, credited Missouri’s defense for fueling their offensive success.

“Our mindset was to not let the defensive side of the ball be dictated on if we were making or missing shots or not. Because we came in with a mindset to get stops and play defense, that in turn gave us energy and gave the ball energy and just helped us make shots.”

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Missouri’s defensive improvement has been a major factor in their success this season. The Tigers have shown resilience in tight games and will need to maintain their defensive intensity against a Mississippi State team that can score in bunches.

What to Expect

Mississippi State is desperate for a big home win, while Missouri is looking to solidify itself as a serious SEC contender. The battle between Hubbard and Bates will be one to watch, as both guards have been instrumental in their teams’ success.

Will the Bulldogs finally close out a high-profile home victory, or will the Tigers continue their impressive run against top-tier competition? The answer awaits in Starkville.