NCAA Basketball: SEC Conference Tournament Second Round-Mississippi State vs Louisiana State
Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are the number one seed in the SEC Tournament and will face the number eight seed Louisiana State Tigers in the second round. The Bulldogs are 25-5 this season and won the SEC regular season championship with a 16-2 record. They are led by senior guard Iverson Molinar, who is averaging 18.1 points per game.
The Bulldogs are a very experienced team, with four starters who have played in at least three NCAA Tournaments. They are also a very talented team, with several players who can score in double figures. In addition to Molinar, sophomore forward Tolu Smith is averaging 15.3 points per game and junior guard Shakeel Moore is averaging 12.5 points per game.
Strengths
- Experience
- Talent
- Depth
- Coaching
Weaknesses
- Size
- Rebounding
- Free throw shooting
Louisiana State Tigers
The Louisiana State Tigers are the number eight seed in the SEC Tournament and will face the number one seed Mississippi State Bulldogs in the second round. The Tigers are 19-13 this season and finished sixth in the SEC regular season standings with a 9-9 record. They are led by senior guard Darius Days, who is averaging 19.7 points per game.
The Tigers are a very athletic team, with several players who can score in double figures. In addition to Days, sophomore forward Tari Eason is averaging 16.9 points per game and junior guard Brandon Murray is averaging 13.4 points per game.
Strengths
- Athleticism
- Scoring
- Depth
- Coaching
Weaknesses
- Experience
- Defense
- Rebounding
Head-to-Head Matchup
The Bulldogs and Tigers have met twice this season, with each team winning one game. The Bulldogs won the first meeting in Starkville, Mississippi, 74-72, while the Tigers won the second meeting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 82-72.
The Bulldogs are favored to win the third meeting between the two teams, but the Tigers are a dangerous opponent and could pull off the upset.
Prediction
The Bulldogs are the more experienced and talented team, but the Tigers are a very athletic and dangerous opponent. I predict that the Bulldogs will win the game, but the Tigers will keep it close.
