NCAA Tournament Live Updates: 8 Seed Mississippi State vs 9 Seed Michigan State

The Bulldogs and Spartans open the round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament.

Second Half

This story will be regularly updated throughout the game.

First Half

Michigan State Halftime Stats

Mississippi State Hlaftime Stats

Halftime Game Stats

The Bulldogs need to find their way into the paint because they are not a 3-point shooting team. Smith, Matthews, and Bell have a combined two points. That is not going to get it done at this stage. 

Hubbard is scoring and he might have to drop 30-plus for the Bulldogs to win. He has left his cold streak in the previous games and has hit three 3-pointers so far in the game. He's going to need some help for the Bulldogs to get this win. 

It is only a seven-point game which favors the Bulldogs as they have played from behind for most of the season, so expect some extra intensity in the second half from Mississippi State.

Halftime: Michigan State 31, Mississippi State 24

15.9 - Hubbard is starting the light it up from behind the arch which is a good sign for the Bulldogs. If they can start making their way into the paint to balance out Hubbard's scoring, it could be a positive look for Mississippi State.  

2:05 - Everything the Bulldogs do to win games, the Spartans are doing better. The Bulldogs were never a three-point shooting team but those are the shots that are being put up. Hubbard hits a three to try to cut the lead but they have not been able to get into the paint and get to the free-throw line. Michigan State 29, Mississippi State 21

5:17 - The game is going by quickly and the more time ticks off the clocks, the worse it gets for the Bulldogs. None of the bigs for the Bulldogs have scored in the paint outside of a fastbreak score for Tolu Smith. Smith needs to have an impact on the game for the Bulldogs to get back into the game. Michigan 27, Mississippi State 18

8:30 - Hubbard is starting to get his shot to fall with five straight points. He's going to need to keep the same confidence in his shot. The Bulldogs go on a 7-0 run and cut into the lead. Mississippi State needs to start attacking the paint and play its game. Michigan State 20, Mississippi State 15

10:20 - Media timeout on the floor, and the Bulldogs need to find offense quickly. Matthews is coming back into the game and will have to play with caution because of the early foul trouble. it is a game of runs but the offense on the Michigan State side is moving quickly and effectively compared to the slow and stale movement of the ball for the Bulldogs. Michigan State 20, Mississippi State 8 

13:25 -  A confusing offensive start to the game. Chris Jans calls a timeout and the Bulldogs are struggling on offense. Maybe it is nerves, but it could be another slow start that they have been dealing with for the past number of games. Michigan State 18, Mississippi State 8 

16:09 - Cameron Matthews is already in foul trouble which is not a good sign for the Bulldogs. He picks up two early fouls and will likely sit for the rest of the half. Without his defense and offense, it could become troublesome for the Bulldogs. Michigan State 8, Mississippi State 4

17:55 - Rams Davis gets the Bulldogs the opening basket with a nice cut to the rim. It has been a slow start but Davis is keeping the Bulldogs afloat. Michigan State 5, Mississippi State 4

Mississippi State Starting Five	Michigan State Starting Five
Josh Hubbard	A.J. Hoggard
Dashawn Davis	Tyson Walker
Cameron Matthews	Jaden Akins
D.J. Jeffries	Malik Hall
Tolu Smith III	Carson Cooper

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Mississippi State Bulldogs open the round of 64 against Michigan State as the NCAA tournament gets underway. 

The Bulldogs are coming off a loss against the SEC Champions the Auburn Tigers but that loss has not dropped the morale of the Bulldogs. They will face the Tom Izzo-led  Spartans team who can never be overlooked in March. It will be a physical contest as both teams thrive on defense and a slower-paced game. 

All-SEC freshman Josh Hubbard led the Bulldogs in scoring for the season; this magnitude of a stage is something that Hubbard can thrive in and show why he is the future of the SEC.

How To Watch: Mississippi State Men’s Basketball versus Michigan State