Mississippi State vs. Clemson: 2018-19 College basketball game preview, TV schedule
By Zach De Jong
The Mississippi State Bulldogs and Clemson Tigers face-off in the “Never Forget Tribute Classic.” It should be a physical contest as both teams struggle from the three-point line.
TV schedule: Saturday, December 8, 4:00 PM ET, ESPN2
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are (7-1) heading into Saturday afternoon’s contest. The Bulldogs are currently ranked 22nd in week 5 of the AP Polls.
The Bulldogs only loss this season was to #20 Arizona State on November 19. The final score was Arizona State beating the Bulldogs 72-67. This has been the Bulldogs hardest opponent this year.
An impact player for the Bulldogs is senior guard Quinndary Weatherspoon. He is averaging 16.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in the 2018-19 season. Weatherspoon is an efficient scorer at the rim as he is shooting 61.6 percent from inside the three-point line. He is also excellent at getting to the line and sinking his free-throws. Weatherspoon has shot twenty-three of twenty-five from the charity stripe this year.
Another impact player for the Bulldogs is junior guard Lamar Peters. He is averaging 12.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. Peters leads the team with the most assists. He is a great floor general who can also knock down the three-point shot consistently. Peters is shooting 37.9 percent from behind the arc this season. He is about the only consistent three-point shooter, besides Tyson Carter on the team.
Meanwhile, the Clemson Tigers are (6-2) heading into Saturday afternoon’s game. The Tigers have lost their two big games versus Creighton and Nebraska this year. A win versus a good Mississippi State team would be a great resume builder for them.
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Even with the poor showing in their non-conference schedule so far, there is plenty of time to makeup these losses in their ACC schedule. Clemson however, would love to get this huge win before heading into ACC play versus Duke on January 5.
A story-line heading into Saturday’s match-up is whether senior guard Marcquise Reed will be able to play. According to Scott Keepfer from the Greenville News, Reed suffered a sprained knee versus Saint Peter’s on Tuesday night. This injury has left Reed questionable for Saturday’s game. Reed is averaging 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in his senior season.
An impact player for the Tiger’s is senior forward Elijah Thomas. He is averaging 11.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists this season. Thomas has already notched himself three double-double’s early in the year. He could be a huge impact player as both teams like to score the ball from inside the arc.
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Both of these teams are not great three-point shooting teams which means the game could get physical on the neutral court. I like the Bulldogs pulling off the win in this one. I believe the Bulldogs will have to many weapons for the Tigers to handle, especially because I believe Peters has the tools to have a huge game.
Prediction: Mississippi State 68 – Clemson 63