Dogs, Tide Rematch Set For Saturday In Tuscaloosa

STARKVILLE, Miss. – After getting back into the win column against Missouri earlier this week, Mississippi State returns to the road to face border rival Alabama for the second time this season.

The two opened SEC play on Jan. 3 with the Crimson Tide rallying to take a 68-58 win in Starkville.

Saturday's tip at Coleman Coliseum is set for 5 p.m. CT, with Richard Cross and Jarvis Hayes handling the SEC Network broadcast. The game can also be heard on the MSU radio network with veterans Jim Ellis and Richard Williams on the call.

MSU stands at 13-6 on the season, 4-3 in league play following the 89-74 win against the Tigers. Sophomore guard Quinndary Weatherspoon scored a career-high 29 points, while Lamar Peters added 23.

The Tide enters the contest 12-7, 5-2, following their 80-60 win at Georgia.

THE SERIES
Alabama leads the all-time series 121-74, including a 76-15 advantage in Tuscaloosa. MSU did win there a year ago, 67-61.

COACHES
Ben Howland is in his second year at MSU and 21^st overall. As a head coach in four different stops, he is 428-229 with a 27-23 mark with the Bulldogs.

Avery Johnson is in his second year at Bama and owns a 30-22 ledger.

QUOTABLE
"They have a great mix of veteran players and younger guys, we will have our hands full." — MSU coach Ben Howland on Alabama.

NEXT 2
Jan. 31 at Ole Miss and Feb. 4 at home against Tennessee.

BULLDOG BITES

Mississippi State is one win away from matching its total from a year ago. The Bulldogs haven't won more that 14 games since 2012.
MSU's 67-61 win at Alabama a year ago snapped a six-game losing streak at Coleman Coliseum, dating back to 2008. Overall, the Tide has won nine out of the last 11 in this series.
Against Missouri, Quinndary Weatherspoon scored a career-high 29 points on 11-17 shooting, while Mario Kegler tied his career high with 16 points.
Also in the win against Mizzou, Lamar Peters had 23 points, marking the first time MSU had two players score 20-plus points in the same game since Gavin Ware had 21 and Quinndary Weathersoon 23 against Tennessee on Jan. 16, 2016.
The Bulldogs shot a season high 57.1 percent (32-56) from the floor against the Tigers.
MSU also had a season-low 7 turnovers.
Lamar Peters' seven 3-pointers were the most by any MSU player this year.
Ben Howland has now coached in 50 games at Mississippi State.
KenPom.com has MSU as the second-least experienced team of all 351 DI programs.
When is Mississippi State successful? When outrebounding foes (9-0), shooting 45 percent or better (11-1) and winning or being tied at the half (11-0).
Of current SEC players, I.J. Ready is 12th with 842 points, third with 143 steals and second with 368 assists. He's also made 23-straight free throws.
I.J. Ready leads the SEC with his 2.8 assist/turnover ratio.
MSU has now used seven different lineups in its first 19 games.
Sophomore guard Quinndary Weatherspoon is third in the SEC with his 17.9 scoring clip. MSU hasn't had a player average 18-plus since Darryl Wilson in 1996 (18.0).
Lamar Peters' 12.0 scoring average is currently the 7th-best ever by an MSU freshman.
Sophomore forward Aric Holman leads the Bulldogs and is third in the SEC with 45 blocked shots, the most in a single season since Jarvis Varnado had 170 in 2010.

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Dogs, Tide Rematch Set For Saturday In Tuscaloosa

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Aric Holman

Mario Kegler

Lamar Peters

I.J. Ready

Gavin Ware

Quinndary Weatherspoon

Mississippi State University Athletics

Dogs, Tide Rematch Set For Saturday In Tuscaloosa

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Aric Holman

Mario Kegler

Lamar Peters

I.J. Ready

Gavin Ware

Quinndary Weatherspoon

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