Mississippi State Basketball: 2018-19 keys to a Bulldogs win at Ole Miss

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 09: Ben Howland the head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs gives instructions to his team against the Alabama Crimson Tideduring the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 9, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 22: Nick Weatherspoon #0 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs shoots the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on January 22, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1. The Bulldogs must control the three-point line at both ends

The first key for the Bulldogs in winning this game will involve the three-point line, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. MSU must reverse the trends that took place in their 81-77 loss. On the season, the Bulldogs shoot the three-pointer at a 36.8% clip and over 34% in league play, but, in their first matchup with the Rebels, they shot 6-21 just over 28.6%. When the Bulldogs have made nine or more three-pointers in a game this season they are 8-1, and 7-3 when they make eight or less.

On the defensive end, the Bulldogs defend the three-ball at just 34.4%, but since the beginning of SEC, they have allowed their opponents to shoot over 35%. In their first matchup, over half of Mississippi’s field goal attempts came from beyond the arc, and they made 38% of them, going 12-31. In order for Mississippi State to come away with a road win, they must reverse the three-point trends in their first meeting. They must make closer to their nine three-point makes per game, and defend the long ball closer to the clip they were during their early-season rate than the numbers they have put up during league play.

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