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Tennessee basketball preview at Mississippi State: Live stream, game time, TV info

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 21: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against the Florida Gators in the second half of a game at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 21, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 62-57. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 21: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against the Florida Gators in the second half of a game at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 21, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 62-57. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee basketball travels Starkville to play the Mississippi State Bulldogs Tuesday night. Here is the preview for the UT Volunteers and MSU.

With only two games left, No. 16 ranked Tennessee basketball (21-7, 11-5 SEC) will travel back to the state of Mississippi to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the second of a two-game Mississippi road trip. The Vols are looking to go 2-0 in the state of Mississippi this year, as they beat the Ole Miss Rebels 73-65 this past Saturday.

This is the only meeting this season between the two teams, after last season’s home and home. The previous meeting in Starkville revealed a Mississippi State team that rallied from 19 down to beat the Vols 64-59. Mario Kegler led the Bulldogs with 17 points on 5-10 shooting and pulled down nine rebounds.

BRACKET UPDATE: In the latest bracketology, from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, Tennessee is a three seed in the West region playing Northern Kentucky. In the CBS Sports projection from Jerry Palm, Tennessee is a three seed in the East region playing Rider.

As for Mississippi State (21-8, 9-7 SEC), they are on a three-game winning streak and playing like an NCAA Tournament team. They beat Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and South Carolina during that three-game span and are playing good basketball. State is a dangerous team that will be desperate to get a resume-boosting win against the Vols.

Before we preview both teams and give our prediction, here is the information you need for Tuesday’s game.

No. 16 Tennessee Volunteers at Mississippi State Bulldogs
When: Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7:00 p.m. E.T.
Where: Humphrey Coliseum; Starkville, Miss.
TV: SEC Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Line: Mississippi St. -1.5
Over/Under: 137

VIEW OF THE VOLS

Record: 21-7, 11-5 SEC
Last 5: 3-2
Last 10: 8-2

Tennessee basketball is coming off two big wins over Florida and Ole Miss this past week. Say what? I heard a guy by the name of Admiral Schofield is SEC Player of the Week this week.
And what a week it was. In those two games, Schofield posted 41 points. The player of the week was working all over the court as he dished out six assists and pulled down 15 rebounds all while shooting 52.5% from the field and 37.5% from the 3-point line.

Quietly, sophomore guard Jordan Bowden is playing good basketball in February. In this month alone, he has scored in double digits five of the seven games and has become and dynamic offensive weapon. Something has clicked because he is playing more of an attacking style of play and it shows in the scoring department.

VIEW OF THE BULLDOGS

Record: 21-8, 9-7 SEC
Last 5: 3-2
Last 10: 7-3

We’ve been saying that Mississippi State is a dangerous team for a while now. Their recent play is backing that take by Bulldogs winning seven of their last ten games and has won three in a row.

They have eight losses on the season, and seven of them are away from home. Meaning only one loss has come on their home court and guess who to, the Auburn Tigers.

This year’s MSU team is without a doubt -at least they should be- an NCAA Tournament team. A win against Tennessee basketball could seal the deal for Ben Howland’s club.

PREDICTION

With only two games left in the season, Tennessee’s problem with bringing intensity on the road is old news. The Vols better bring high energy or the Bulldogs will pounce.

I’ve been chalking this one down as a loss for about a month now. A loss won’t be considered a letdown like the Georgia game was; this Mississippi State team is just that good. However, I think it is close and comes down to the wire. 76-71 Mississippi State.

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