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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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 27: Lamar Peters #1 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts in the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions during their 2018 National Invitation Tournament Championship semifinals game at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

2. MSU should get to the free throw line

Another key to a Mississippi State win will be something they don’t do very often, but when they do, they are very good at it, and that is getting to the free throw line. The Bulldogs need to make a conscious effort in this game of trying to get to the free throw line. While the Bulldogs have only made 359 free throw attempts on the season, which is 3rd least in the SEC and ranks 262nd nationally. Once they get to the line, they have made 262 which is 4th least in the conference and just 226th in the country. But, even though they don’t get there a lot, when they do, they make 73% of them and in league play, they have made 68% of their free throws.

In addition to their ability to make free throws, the Bulldogs need to get to the line because Ole Miss commits a lot of fouls. On the year the Rebels commit 18 fouls per game and opponents have averaged 18.95 free throw attempts per game, and in conference play, that number has rocketed up to 22.4 attempts per game. Although they don’t get there often, taking advantage of the aggressiveness of Ole Miss will be a big key for the road team in this one.

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