Vanderbilt Commodores vs Mississippi State Bulldogs Picks and Predictions January 7th 2025

No. 14 Mississippi State, Vanderbilt Clash in Battle of Streaking Teams

No. 14 Mississippi State and Vanderbilt each bring seven-game winning streaks into a high-stakes Southeastern Conference showdown Tuesday night in Nashville, Tenn.

Bulldogs’ Dominance and Defensive Identity

Mississippi State (13-1, 1-0 SEC) has made waves this season with its tenacious defense, highlighted by an 85-50 rout of South Carolina in its conference opener. The Bulldogs allowed a season-low 50 points in that game, showcasing their ability to overwhelm opponents with frenetic defensive energy.

“When we’re at our best, we’re very active on the ball, handsy, and frenetic off the ball,” Mississippi State coach Chris Jans said. “Hopefully, this will make them feel good about what we’ve been preaching and get them to buy in even more.”

Mississippi State’s resume includes marquee wins, such as a 90-57 dismantling of then-No. 18 Pitt and a 79-66 road victory over then-No. 21 Memphis. However, they’ve also had close calls, narrowly edging Prairie View A&M and McNeese State earlier in the season.

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Freshman guard Josh Hubbard leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 17.7 points per game, while KeShawn Murphy (10.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks) and Cameron Matthews (7.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.6 steals) anchor the team’s defense and versatility. Mississippi State’s 6-1 record away from home underscores its ability to perform under pressure.

Commodores’ Defensive Strength and Depth

Vanderbilt (13-1, 1-0 SEC) is riding its best start in years, fueled by a defense that ranks fourth nationally in steal rate (15 percent). The Commodores opened conference play with an 80-72 win at LSU despite facing adversity, as leading scorer Jason Edwards (18.3 points per game) was limited to 17 minutes due to a thigh injury.

The Commodores’ depth shone through against LSU, with Michigan State transfer AJ Hoggard stepping up to score 17 points, including clutch baskets late. Jaylen Carey added a season-high 14 points, helping to offset foul trouble for inside force Devin McGlockton (11.6 points, 8.4 rebounds).

“Our strength is our numbers. It’s not an individual,” Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington said. “When one guy is out, the others have an opportunity.”

Key Matchup and Implications

This game pits Mississippi State’s disciplined defense against Vanderbilt’s opportunistic style. The Bulldogs’ Josh Hubbard and Claudell Harris (10.9 points per game) will face a tough challenge from Vanderbilt’s swarming defense, led by Tyler Tanner (2.4 steals per game) and four other players averaging more than a steal per contest.

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For Vanderbilt, the performance of Jason Edwards will be critical. If healthy, he can help the Commodores keep pace offensively with a balanced Mississippi State attack.

Mississippi State faces a brutal upcoming schedule, including games against No. 6 Kentucky and No. 2 Auburn. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt is in a pivotal stretch that could define its NCAA Tournament hopes, with winnable games against Missouri and South Carolina ahead.

Both teams have much to gain—and lose—in a clash of two of the SEC’s hottest teams.