The Mississippi State Bulldogs (12-15) welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks (23-5) to Humphrey Coliseum as the regular season wraps up. The game gets underway at 2:30 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 27 and will air on SEC and ES3.
The Bulldogs lost a close one to Texas A&M 68-66 on Wednesday. Craig Sword was the game’s leading scorer, contributing 24 points. The Gamecocks are coming off an 84-58 win against Tennessee on Wednesday. Duane Notice shot 5 for 9 and led in scoring with 17 points.
Michael Carrera has been on a tear over the last five games for the Gamecocks, averaging 18.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.6 blocks, and 2.0 three-pointers.
South Carolina could own the offensive glass in this matchup, as it ranks 11th in the nation in OR% at 38.3%. Conversely, Mississippi State places 316th in the nation on the defensive backboards with a DR% of 66.4%.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Gamecocks winning the first matchup 84-74. Carrera put up 34 points and 15 rebounds.
The Bulldogs are trying to improve upon their records of 12-15 Straight Up (SU) and 15-10 Against The Spread (ATS).
Over on the other bench, South Carolina has a SU record of 23-5 and an ATS record of 18-7. South Carolina is one of the top foul-shooting teams in the nation, converting 19.0 shots from the line per game. The Gamecocks are a force on the boards, grabbing an average of 41.4 rebounds per game.
South Carolina beat Mississippi State in their most recent meeting this season, but the win was not enough to overtake Mississippi State in their recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 4-6 SU over the most recent meetings. However, South Carolina leads the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4. South Carolina held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice in the last five game, while Mississippi State wasn’t able to do so in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – SC, ATS Winner – SC
Notes
“Mississippi State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“Mississippi State is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Mississippi State’s last 5 games “.
“Mississippi State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“Mississippi State is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games at home”.
“Mississippi State is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing South Carolina”.
“Mississippi State is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing South Carolina”.
“Mississippi State is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing South Carolina”.
“The total has gone OVER in 4 of Mississippi State’s last 5 games when playing South Carolina”.
“Mississippi State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against South Carolina”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Mississippi State’s last 5 games when playing at home against South Carolina”.
South Carolina averages 77.1 points per game (ranked 75th). Mississippi State, on the other hand, allows 72.8 points per game (ranked 164th).
In its last game, South Carolina won by a margin of 26 points. Mississippi State is 5-2 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. South Carolina has a 6-2 record in blowouts.
The South Carolina Gamecocks average 71.9 possessions per game and 1.073 points per possession. The Mississippi State Bulldogs earn fewer possessions with 69.6, but they score more points with 1.080.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs average an effective field goal percentage of 52.0% this season. The South Carolina Gamecocks have a winning 5-3 record in games where opponents have an eFG% of 52.0% or greater.
On average, Mississippi State attempts 21.0 three pointers and South Carolina attempts 17.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Mississippi State Bulldogs have a 5-11 record while the South Carolina Gamecocks have a dazzling 8-1 record.
The South Carolina Gamecocks average 41.4 rebounds per game and are ranked 14th. The Mississippi State Bulldogs average 35.0 rebounds per game, ranked 241st.
When it comes to offensive rebounds, South Carolina ranks 10th. Mississippi State ranks 232nd in defensive rebounds.
On average, Mississippi State forces a turnover rate of 18.2%. When South Carolina turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a winning 10-4 record.
 HurricanesvsLouisville Cardinals-150x150.jpg)
