The Mississippi State Bulldogs (15-3) travel to face off against the Tennessee Volunteers (16-2) on Tuesday, January 21st. This game will be played at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville and televised on ESPN2. Mississippi State is coming off a win in their previous game, while Tennessee is looking to get back on track from a loss to the Vanderbilt. Tip-off is set for 7:00 ET.
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Tennessee Volunteers
The Bulldogs Are Coming Off A Win
Mississippi State Bulldogs Recent Game/Games
Mississippi State improved to 15-3 on the season with an 84-81 win over Ole Miss on Saturday. The Bulldogs were -5.5 point favorites heading into the home game but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 165, surpassing the O/U line of 147.5.
Mississippi State led 37-29 at halftime but allowed 45 points in the 2nd half while scoring 37 of their own. Despite the win, the Bulldogs will need to tighten up their defense moving forward.
The Volunteers Are Coming Off A Win
Tennessee Volunteers Recent Game
The Volunteers dropped to 16-2 on the season after a 76-75 road loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday. Tennessee entered the game as -5.5 favorites but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 151, surpassing the O/U line of 142.5.
After trailing 41-35 at halftime, Tennessee outscored Vanderbilt 40-35 in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Bulldogs Offense Breakdown
Mississippi State put up 84 points in their last game, shooting 44.6% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 52.3%. They hit 9 of 27 from beyond the arc, shooting 33.3% from three, and connected on 60.7% of their free throws, going 17 for 28.
The Bulldogs grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and dished out 15 assists. Riley Kugel led the way with 21 points, hitting 4 of 8 from three, while Jaemyn Brakefield added 20 points, shooting 60% from deep. KeShawn Murphy contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 66.7% from the floor.
Volunteers Offense Breakdown
Tennessee’s offense put up 75 points in their latest game, shooting 48% from the field and hitting 47.6% from three-point range, connecting on 10 of 21 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 58%, and they were strong from the free-throw line, converting 17 of 21 attempts for 81%.
Felix Okpara was perfect from the field, going 7 for 7, while Zakai Zeigler dished out 10 assists. Jason Edwards led the team with 18 points, and Chaz Lanier knocked down 4 threes, shooting 66.7% from beyond the arc.
Bulldogs Team Defense
Mississippi State’s defense gave up 81 points, with their opponents shooting 44% from the field. They allowed 52% shooting on two-point attempts, as the other team went 20/38 inside the arc.
From three-point range, Mississippi State’s defense saw their opponents hit 9 of 27 attempts, good for 33%. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 28 times, where they converted 17 of those attempts, shooting 60%.
Volunteers Team Defense
Mississippi State’s defense gave up 81 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 44% from the field on 29 of 65 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 52% shooting, with the other team hitting 20 of 38 two-point shots.
From three-point range, Mississippi State’s defense conceded 9 threes on 27 attempts, a 33% shooting percentage. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 28 times, where they made 17 free throws, shooting 60%. The Bulldogs allowed 19 offensive rebounds.
Bulldogs vs Volunteers Trends
- Mississippi State has played well in their previous 5 road games, going 4-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 73 points per game while allowing 67. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
- In their last three games at home, the Volunteers have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 0-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 64 points per game in these contests.
- In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Bulldogs have a straight up record of 0-3 and an ATS mark of 1-2.
- In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Volunteers have a straight up record of 9-1 and an ATS mark of 4-5-1.
Bulldogs vs Volunteers Prediction
For a pick on the point-spread in this Volunteers vs. Bulldogs matchup, our bet is to grab the Bulldogs at +7.5. Even though our projections have the Volunteers winning 77-71, we see the Bulldogs as the play on the point-spread.
Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 140.5 and given that our model is projecting 148 points between the teams, we like the over.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:January 21, 2025 Mississippi State Bulldogs, Tennessee Volunteers