SEC Basketball Preview/Prediction: Mississippi State at Vanderbilt

Mississippi State plays at Vanderbilt on Saturday in a key SEC basketball matchup. Look inside for a preview of the game along with a final score prediction.

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Team Statistical Comparison

NCAA RPI

Mississippi State: 32
Vanderbilt: 86

Mississippi State Roster

Vanderbilt Roster

Mississippi State-Vanderbilt Prediction

Last year, the Mississippi State Bulldogs lost a few especially close and especially wrenching games on the road which prevented them from making the NCAA Tournament. MSU was the No. 7 seed in a deep SEC Tournament field, which – on the surface – might have suggested that the Bulldogs were worthy of an NCAA bid. After all, both teams in the 8-9 game at last season’s SEC Tournament, Alabama and Texas A&M, made the NCAAs and won games when they made the Big Dance. Mississippi State, however, went to the NIT because it lost too many games to lower-tier SEC teams. One came to Vanderbilt, an 81-80 decision in Memorial Gym which simply can’t be repeated. Vanderbilt is in the SEC basement. MSU has to matter-of-factly take care of business and not risk a resume-killing loss against the Dores, who sorely miss – and need – Darius Garland. Mississippi State 78, Vanderbilt 71. (Matt Zemek)

Game time: 8:30 ET, 7:30 CT, on SEC Network