Tennessee Volunteers vs Mississippi State Bulldogs Picks and Predictions January 21st 2025

Mississippi State Faces No. 6 Tennessee in Crucial SEC Clash

It’s a huge matchup Tuesday night in Knoxville as No. 15 Mississippi State takes on No. 6 Tennessee. The Bulldogs are riding high after a thrilling win over Ole Miss, while the Volunteers are looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Vanderbilt.

Mississippi State: Riding High After a Big Win

Mississippi State (15-3, 3-2 SEC) is coming off an intense 84-81 overtime win against No. 21 Ole Miss. Riley Kugel made a huge return, scoring 21 points after being sidelined with injuries. His performance helped the Bulldogs snap a tough stretch and gain confidence. Head coach Chris Jans also celebrated his 200th career win, and Mississippi State is looking to carry that momentum into Knoxville.

Key Players:

• Riley Kugel: The Florida transfer is scoring a career-high 10.2 points per game and was the hero against Ole Miss.
• Josh Hubbard: He’s the team’s top scorer, putting up 16.6 points per game.
• KeShawn Murphy: Known for his tough play on the boards, Murphy adds 7.7 rebounds per game, helping Mississippi State lead the SEC in rebounding.

Strengths:

• The Bulldogs dominated the boards against Ole Miss, winning the rebound battle 51-29. Expect them to lean on that strength as they take on Tennessee.

Tennessee: Recovering After a Tough Loss

Tennessee (16-2, 3-2 SEC) suffered a narrow 76-75 loss to in-state rival Vanderbilt on Saturday. Despite the setback, the Volunteers remain undefeated at home and are hoping to regroup and get back to winning ways in front of their fans.

Key Players:

• Chaz Lanier: Tennessee’s top scorer with 18.1 points per game, Lanier will be looking to make a big impact.
• Zakai Zeigler: Averaging 12.3 points and 7.7 assists, Zeigler is one of the keys to Tennessee’s offense.
• Jordan Gainey and Igor Milicic Jr.: Both add solid scoring depth to the Volunteers’ lineup, with Milicic contributing 10.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Concerns:

• Tennessee’s rebounding has been a bit of a weak spot, as they rank 8th in the SEC with 38.6 rebounds per game. Mississippi State’s dominance in that area could pose a problem for the Volunteers.

Industry’s Best

Handicapping Membership

Get Free Trial

What to Watch

1. Mississippi State’s Confidence: After an emotional win against Ole Miss, can they carry that energy onto the road?
2. Tennessee’s Bounce Back: Will the Volunteers recover from their loss to Vanderbilt and fix their rebounding issues?
3. Key Matchups: Look for Riley Kugel and Josh Hubbard to lead Mississippi State, while Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler will need to step up for Tennessee.

The Bottom Line

This game is a big deal for both teams. Mississippi State wants to keep their momentum going, while Tennessee needs to get back on track after a tough loss. With both teams gunning for top spots in the SEC, expect an intense game where rebounding and key players stepping up will likely determine the winner.