Tennessee basketball vs Mississippi State: Prediction, picks, injury updates, odds

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Tennessee basketball is gearing up to play Mississippi State for the only time this season.

The Vols (16-2, 3-2 SEC) host the Bulldogs (15-3, 3-2) on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2) at Food City Center.

Here is what to know about the matchup:

Felix Okpara is wreaking havoc in the paint for Tennessee

Felix had three games in Tennessee’s 13 nonconference games with at least three blocks. He has done it four times in the past four in SEC play.

“His effort on that side of the ball has been great,” associate head coach Justin Gainey said Monday. “He is starting to understand that he has to be dominant on that side.”

Okpara has blocked 13 shots in the past four games after denying four at Vanderbilt. He is averaging 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in SEC play. The Ohio State transfer had a season-high 16 points at Vanderbilt mostly through connecting with Zakai Zeigler on lobs.

“I am excited where Felix is right now,” Gainey said. “He has more in the tank.”

Mississippi State gave Tennessee problems last season

Mississippi State is the lone team the Vols did not beat last season while winning the SEC regular-season title. The Vols lost 77-72 on Jan. 10, 2024, in Starkville, then bowed out on their first game in the SEC Tournament by losing 73-56 to miss out on a No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed.

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Star guard Josh Hubbard returns after a sensational freshman season. He is averaging 16.6 points and has the second-most 3-pointers in the SEC with 53. Boston College transfer Claudell Harris Jr. and Florida transfer Riley Kugel are double-digit scorers, while Cameron Matthews is a difference-maker to Gainey.

“Just like every game in this league, it is going to be won in the paint,” Gainey said. “It is going to be who can control the backboards, who can protect the paint and then take care of the basketball.”

Bulldogs coach Chris Jans has a 57-30 record in Starkville. He is 2-2 against the Vols.

Tennessee is heading into…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-basketball-vs-mississippi-state-161001270.html

Author : Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Publish date : 2025-01-20 16:10:00

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