After a tough road win against Ole Miss in their last game, Mississippi State returned home for another challenging matchup. Their defense stepped up, holding Texas A&M to a season-low in points.
The Bulldogs made a conscious effort to prevent Texas A&M from getting easy baskets.
They hounded guards like Zhuric Phelps and Wade Taylor IV all night. Those two players combined for 24 of A&M’s 54 points—nearly half of the team’s total. It’s tough to win when your starters don’t provide balanced scoring.
Mississippi State’s strategy was essentially, ‘Let everyone else beat us.’ They refused to let Wade Taylor IV or Zhuric Phelps get into a rhythm. That approach proved successful, as A&M shot just 18-of-53 from the field, an abysmal 35.8%.
The Bulldogs were relentless on defense, swiping steal after steal. They recorded 19 for the game, compared to just seven by Texas A&M. Mississippi State also applied heavy pressure on the ball, forcing 19 turnovers. Those giveaways led to 22 points for the home team, providing a crucial boost against A&M’s strong defense.
Mississippi State’s offense was powered by star sophomore guard Josh Hubbard, who led the way with 25 points. Another key contributor was Claudell Harris Jr., who came off the bench to score 15 points, providing a much-needed spark. The real surprise for the Bulldogs, however, came from the free-throw line.
The Bulldogs were outstanding from the free-throw line, shooting 85% (17-of-20). This was especially significant given that they are statistically one of the worst free-throw shooting teams in college basketball, averaging just 68% on the season. If they don’t improve, their struggles at the line could prove costly in a close game come March.
The Aggies would have loved to secure a road win, as it would have given them momentum with a top-25 victory and extended their five-game winning streak. The issue is that their offense struggled to find any rhythm. This loss stings even more considering their upcoming schedule. The good news is that A&M returns home for their next game. The bad news? They’ll be facing sixth-ranked Tennessee.
The Volunteers boast one of the best defenses in the nation. They rank fourth in opponents’ points per game, allowing a shocking 60.5 points per game. Additionally, they sit 13th in the country in blocks per game, averaging 5.3 blocks per contest.
After that tough test, Mississippi State will face an upstart Vanderbilt team. The Bulldogs will need to be on their game against the Commodores, who have shown they can pull off big upsets with victories over Kentucky and Tennessee. Vanderbilt could be a sneaky upset pick against Mississippi State, so the Bulldogs will need to stay focused and avoid a letdown.
Things will get even tougher with back-to-back games against Florida and Auburn. That will be a serious test for Texas A&M, as both teams have elevated their play to another level. The Aggies will need to bring their A-game if they want to come out on top.
With those two huge matchups ahead, Texas A&M has a great opportunity to make a statement.
This win for Mississippi State could be just what they needed to propel them into the tournament. With a strong finish to the season, the Bulldogs might be primed for a deep run in March. Known for one of the most aggressive defenses in the nation, they will put relentless pressure on their opponents. Will that translate into a deep run in the tournament? This is a team to watch as March approaches.
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