SEC Tournament: Mississippi State vs Missouri Preview and Betting Picks
10-seed Mississippi State Bulldogs (21-11) face 7-seed Missouri Tigers (21-10) in the SEC Tournament Second Round, with Missouri favored by 3.5 points. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on SEC Network.
Coach and player talking during game
Mississippi State enters with strong momentum after a 91-62 win over LSU, led by Josh Hubbard's 26 points on 6-of-12 three-point shooting. The Bulldogs have scored 81+ points in four straight games and rank 21st nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency.
Key factors favoring Mississippi State:
- 54.8% success rate on two-point shots
- 4th in SEC in offensive rebounding rate (32.2%)
- 48th in defensive efficiency
- Already played and won in the tournament venue
Missouri's recent defensive struggles are concerning, allowing 90.8 points per game over their last six contests. While Missouri ranks 5th in offensive efficiency, their 12th-ranked SEC perimeter defense could be exploited by Mississippi State's inside scoring.
The teams' previous matchup on February 1st saw Missouri win 88-61, but both teams' current form suggests a closer game. The over has hit in Mississippi State's last six games and Missouri's last seven.
Prediction: Mississippi State +3.5 (-110) offers strong value given their offensive momentum and Missouri's defensive issues. The Bulldogs match up well on both ends and could win outright.
Game odds at BetMGM:
- Mississippi State: +140 moneyline
- Missouri: -170 favorites
- Total: 156.5 points (-110 both sides)