Bulldogs, Gamecocks Battle In Key SEC Showdown
February 26, 2016 | Men's Basketball
Saturday's 1:30 p.m. tip will air on the SEC Network with Tom Hart and Joe Dean calling the action. Fans can also tune in to hear the play-by-play of Jim Ellis and Richard Williams on the MSU Radio Network.
Mississippi State (12-15, 5-10) returns to Starkville following a tough 68-66 setback against No. 21 Texas A&M. In a contest that saw eight ties and 11 lead changes, the Aggies made a pair of free throws with two seconds remaining to secure the victory. Craig Sword led all scorers with a season-high 24 points, while Gavin Ware and Travis Daniels each hauled in a game-high nine rebounds.
The Bulldogs also won the battle of the boards for the 10th time this season, with a 37-31 advantage against the Aggies.
South Carolina (23-5, 10-5) enters the weekend after a dominating 84-58 win against Tennessee Wednesday. Four Gamecocks registered double-digit nights with Duane Notice leading the way with 17 points. Michael Carrera recorded his 10th double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Laimonas Chatkevicius and Mindaugas Kacinas also added 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the victory.
The Gamecocks won the battle of the boards by a 40-35 margin and dished out 20 assists on 32 made baskets. As a team, South Carolina leads the SEC in rebounding offense (41.4) and boasts a league-best +7.2 rebounding margin per game.
The 23 wins for South Carolina mark the most since the 2005-06 Gamecocks finished 23-15, while the 10 SEC wins mark the fourth time the program has reached double-figure league victories since joining the conference in 1991.
“We better understand what kind of game it's going to be,” MSU coach Ben Howland said. “If you come out there and expect it's going to be a ballet, it's not happening. They're knocking you around and it's physical.”
Despite dropping an 84-74 decision to the Gamecocks earlier this season, Mississippi State leads the all-time series 18-12, including a 9-3 ledger in Humphrey Coliseum.
Following this weekend's action, Mississippi State travels to Ole Miss for the final road game of the season. The in-state rivalry showdown will tip at 6 p.m. Wednesday on the SEC Network.
