How To Watch: Mississippi State Men’s Basketball versus Michigan State
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are set to face the Michigan State Spartans in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. This is the second straight appearance for the Bulldogs in the tournament, but a season ago, they lost in the play-in game.
There will be no play-in game this year as the Bulldogs beat LSU and Tennessee in the SEC Tournament. Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans has changed the perception of this program in just two short years, but are they ready to take that next step?
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is a legend in college basketball and provides a formidable challenge to Mississippi State. However, the Spartans play a brand of basketball that the Bulldogs want to play, so expect a rock fight.
The key player for Mississippi State will be Josh Hubbard. He is the difference maker for this team, and he will likely receive extra attention from Izzo. Can the freshman perform regardless?
What: Mississippi State Bulldogs (21-13), (8-10) versus Michigan State Spartans (19-14), (10-10)
When: Thursday at 11:15 a.m. CT
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina.
TV: CBS
Series: Michigan State has won the only meeting between these two programs 90-82. The meeting came on January 2nd, 1973.
Last time out, Spartans: Michigan State lost their previous meeting to Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament 67-62.
Last time out, Bulldogs: Mississippi State was eliminated by Auburn in the semi-finals of the SEC tournament in their previous game. Hubbard led the Bulldogs with 20 points. It was a very physical and competitive game, but the offense stalled for the Bulldogs late, and they lost 73-66.