Mississippi State Basketball: Keys to taking down Liberty in the first round

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 21: Lamar Peters #2 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs calls a play as he carries the ball against the Saint Mary's Gaels during the second half of a game in the MGM Resorts Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 21, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mississippi State won 61-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

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DAYTON, OH – MARCH 19: Joel Vander Pol #21 of the Liberty Flames looks to pass the ball in the first half against the North Carolina A&T Aggies during the first round of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at University of Dayton Arena on March 19, 2013 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Stay patient on the defensive end.

The next key for the Bulldogs will happen when they play defense. Liberty likes to play slow on offense. The Flames rank 349th in adjusted tempo according to KenPom.com, but still, score 74 points per game. The Flames are patient but balanced offensively, ranking in the top-65 or better in every category from field goal percentage to free throw percentage, so Mississippi State will have to be extremely patient in their half-court defense and if possible, speed Liberty up by pressuring them.

The Bulldogs need to use pressure defense and not allow Liberty to grind down the shot clock on every possession and while in the half court they need to also be active with their arms and anticipate and get into the passing lanes to create steals and turnovers. Creating turnovers against Liberty won’t be easy as the Flames turn it over just 11 times per game, but Mississippi State swipes over eight balls per game.

They can’t get impatient when trying to defend Liberty, because doing that will get them out of position leading to easier shots for a team that is 12th in the country in field goal percentage at 49% and leads to a possible upset.

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