Alabama game preview

[jwells]

#22 Mississippi State (15-4, 3-3 SEC) at Alabama (13-7, 3-3 SEC)
Tip: 7:30 PM CT TV: SEC Network
Line: Alabama -1.5

Mississippi State looks to build off the win over Auburn with a road trip to take on the Tide.

Alabama Team Stats

PPG: 75.5 MSU: 78.4
PPG Allowed: 71.4 MSU: 69.4
FG%: 44.9% MSU: 47.3%
FGA%: 43.1% MSU: 44.1%
3P%: 34.4% MSU: 37.6%
3PA%: 33.9% MSU: 35.4%

Alabama Team Leaders

Kira Lewis Jr. (Fr.): 13.9 ppg, 2.8 apg
Donta Hall (Sr.): 11.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg
John Petty (So.): 11.7 ppg, 46.2% 3P% in SEC play

Following Saturday night's win over Auburn, the Bulldogs look to build some momentum for the 1st time in a while as they take on Alabama. Alabama is one of the few teams I have not seen much of this year but what I have has been extremely up and down. A prime example of this is beating Kentucky only to lose to Texas A&M a week later. You never really know what you are going to get from the Tide. When they play well, though, they are a very difficult team to beat, especially in Coleman Coliseum. The Tide are led by John Petty in SEC play with 14.5 ppg in the league, including 30 at Tennessee a few games ago. He is the definition of a streaky shooter and it is imperative that the Bulldogs contest his shots to not allow him to get into any sort of rhythm. In addition to Petty, freshman PG Kira Lewis Jr. has been getting acclimated to the league and is capable of hitting big shots. Big man Donta Hall has been coming on well in SEC play averaging 11.8 ppg and an impressive 10.8 rpg in league play. It is no doubt a concern with the options we have in the post that Hall may be able to have a big night. In my opinion, it would be more advantageous for us to focus on limiting Petty and the others and letting the chips fall where they may with Hall.

On the offensive end for Mississippi State, it is key to continue the performance from the latter part of the 2nd half Saturday night. The adjustments made to penetrate the lane put the offense at its best and hopefully the team understands that and will look to continue. Doing so lends itself to open shots and therefore easier baskets. Reggie Perry has played well in our wins in league play and it is important that he continue to see the floor as his interior offense is something that Ado cannot consistently offer. With Perry though, it is important he not get frustrated when the ball is not given to him in the post. It seemed as though against Auburn he let his lack of post touches affect his intensity level. With that being said, when he seals a defender and has good position, we must do a better job of getting the ball to him. If we can execute in our penetrating offense, we will be a tough team to beat going forward.

Overall, it comes down to if we can execute the same way we did to close the game Saturday when we have to go on the road. This week is important with two big road games at Alabama and Ole Miss. While 2 wins will give us a lot of momentum, it is key that we win at least one this week. Winning tonight would take some pressure off of the team heading to Oxford. However, I just do not know if the team has fully turned the corner and I have been burned many times before. I think it will be a close game with Alabama pulling out a narrow win in the end due to being on their home floor. Hopefully, this is not the case and the team captures some momentum from Auburn.