With multiple intriguing matchups in this year’s SEC/Big 12 Challenge, Texas Tech hosting Mississippi State might be the most underrated of them all.
When: Saturday, January 29 at 6:00 pm ET on ESPN2
Location: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, TX
The SEC/Big 12 Challenge is always a can’t-miss day each year of intriguing non-conference matchups between two of the better conferences in college basketball. Of the multiple matchups in this year’s edition of the showdown between the two conferences, arguably the most underrated matchup this year comes in Lubbock as Texas Tech hosts Mississippi State.
Coming off their fifth loss of the season, Texas Tech will be looking to get back on their winning ways after falling to Kansas 94-91 in double-overtime on Monday night inside Allen Fieldhouse. A game in which the Red Raiders made a late second half run to force overtime, Texas Tech shot an impressive 46.6% from the field, but were also out-rebounded by the Jayhawks 50-38, as well as 16-9 on the offensive glass.
Ranked as the No. 13 team in the country, the Red Raiders sit at 15-5 on the season, as well as being an undefeated 12-0 inside United Supermarkets Arena. One of the top defensive teams in the country allowing only 60.8 PPG, Texas Tech can also give you trouble on the offensive end as well averaging 74.8 PPG, led by a combined 47% shooting from the field and five scorers averaging in double-figures.
Leading that group is experienced forward Bryson Williams at 13.7 PPG, a UTEP transfer who is having one of the best single-seasons of his collegiate career shooting a phenomenal 54% from the field and 46.9% from three. In addition to Williams, the Texas Tech rotation runs around 8-9 deep headlined by a talented group of guards in Terrence Shannon Jr, Kevin McCullar, Davion Warren, and Adonis Arms, as well as forward Kevin Obanor also coming off one of his best games in a Red Raiders uniform.
Similar to Texas Tech, Mississippi State will also be looking to bounce-back from an overtime loss as the Bulldogs fell to Kentucky 82-74 inside Rupp Arena on Tuesday night. Despite being out-rebounded 44-33, the Bulldogs did have success in a few notable areas such as forcing 17 Kentucky turnovers, as well as receiving a game-high 30 points from star guard Iverson Molinar.
With a 13-6 record on the season, the Bulldogs currently sit in the middle of a crowded SEC at 4-3 in conference play, but have struggled away from home as Mississippi State is 0-3 in true-road games, all of which have come in SEC play. Mississippi State stacks up almost evenly with the Red Raiders offensively as the Bulldogs average 75.4 PPG, as well as being strong on the defensive end allowing only 66.2 PPG.
With very-similar shooting percentages to Texas Tech overall, the Bulldogs are led by the previously mentioned Molinar at 18.4 PPG, as well as the impactful frontcourt duo of Tolu Smith and North Carolina transfer Garrison Brooks. Guard Shakeel Moore is arguably the Bulldogs biggest threat from three at 37.8%, while DJ Jeffries, Javian Davis, and Cameron Matthews headline the Mississippi State bench.
When looking at this matchup at first glance, you could certainly make the argument that these two teams match up well on both ends. Because of this, we are likely set for a close and hard-fought game on Saturday night in Lubbock.
When picking the winner, Mississippi State certainly has all the pieces to pull-off the Top 25 road upset, but it feels like the home-court advantage for the Red Raiders will be the deciding factor. Yes, it will be close at-times, but Texas Tech should leave with the win.
Prediction: Texas Tech 75, Mississippi State 68