Gameday: Five Things to Know About MSU-Alcorn State

by Matt Dunaway, Associate Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – After winning its opening three home games by an average of 24.7 points, No. 15 Mississippi State looks to continue its early season home dominance versus Alcorn State on Monday at Humphrey Coliseum.

The Matchup: No 15 Mississippi State (4-1, 0-0 SEC) vs. Alcorn State (1-5, 0-0 SWAC)
Where: Starkville – Humphrey Coliseum
When: Monday, Nov. 26, 7:00 p.m. CT
Live Stats: StatBroadcast (https://hailst.at/MBKLiveStats)
Tickets: MSU Ticket Office (https://hailst.at/AlcornTix1819)

TV: SEC Network +
Talent: Bart Gregory, Matt Wyatt
Online: WatchESPN App (https://hailst.at/AlcornvsMSU1126)

Radio: Mississippi State Sports Network – Powered by Learfield
Talent: Neil Price, Richard Williams
Affiliates: WKBB-FM 100.9 Starkville/West Point (Full List: https://hailst.at/MBKAffiliates)
Free Online Audio: Hail State Plus (https://hailst.at/MBKListen); Tune-In Radio App (https://hailst.at/MBKTuneIn)
Sirius/XM: Ch. 135 (Sirius), Ch. 190 (XM), Ch. 961 (Internet)

GOLDEN EGG TOUR
To celebrate Mississippi State football's 38-3 victory over Ole Miss, the Golden Egg will make an appearance at Humphrey Coliseum during Monday's game as part of the Golden Egg Tour 2K18 presented by Mississippi Ford Dealers.

METAL DETECTORS/CLEAR BAGS
In an effort to continue Mississippi State's long-standing commitment to provide a safe and secure environment for all fans, coaches and student-athletes, walk-through metal detectors have been implemented at all entrances of Humphrey Coliseum on basketball gamedays.

Fans will be asked to follow the instructions of the security screening staff and place large metal objects such as phones, keys and cameras in containers or in their clear bag on screening tables before passing through the walk-through metal detectors.

Fans will not be required to remove belts, watches, wallets, jewelry, shoes, jackets, coins or other small objects. The metal detectors and clear bag policies provide a safer atmosphere and speed up the entry process into The Hump.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE
1. The Bulldogs have pieced together 17 straight non-conference home victories going back to the 2016-17 season. Mississippi State has won 11 of the 17 outings which includes by seven of the last nine outings by double figures. The Bulldogs have won their first three home games by an average of 24.7 points per game this season.

2. Mississippi State's defense has surrendered a SEC-low 61.2 points per game. Last time out, the Bulldogs limited Saint Mary's to 57 points. Mississippi State's defensive unit also holds the conference's top spot with 9.4 steals and 6.2 blocks per game. The Bulldogs are 25-1 under fourth-year head coach Ben Howland when holding the opposition to 60 or less.

3. Quinndary Weatherspoon has rattled off 17.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He has dialed up double figures in all five games and 75 times over his career. Weatherspoon's 17.6 points are third on the SEC leaderboard, while his 1,471 career points are first among SEC active players. The 1,471 points also check in 13th on MSU's scoring list. The senior guard heads into Monday's action 21 points shy of passing Tony Watts (1989-90-91-92).

4. Lamar Peters has reeled off double figures in three consecutive games en route to 12.3 points per contest during that span. He provided all 11 of his points in the second half of the Saint Mary's game last time out. Peters has handed out 59 assists against 16 turnovers dating back to last season's NIT opener. This season, his 5.2 assists per game and 2.9 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks fifth in the SEC.

5. Aric Holman has dialed up 12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. The 3.0 blocks are first, while the 9.2 rebounds are second among the SEC leaders. Holman has already notched a pair of double-doubles sparked by 22 points and 10 rebounds versus Arizona State. The 22 points was the second-highest scoring output of his career. Mississippi State is 8-3 when Holman comes away with a double-double.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Alcorn State will be playing its third game in four days and its second SEC opponent on the season. The Braves dropped a 79-54 decision at Vanderbilt on Nov. 16.

Deshaw Andrews has posted a team-leading 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. He has reached double figures in four of six games highlighted by a pair of 20-point performance. Andrews is coming off a 21-point, 10-rebound effort against Savannah State.

Maurice Howard has chipped in 12.0 points and 3.5 assists per game. Last time out, he registered 18 points and nine points versus Savannah State.

UP NEXT
Mississippi State will play its first true road game at Dayton on Friday. Tip time is slated for 6 p.m. CT from UD Arena. The game will televised by CBS Sports Network's cable channel.

Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Gameday: Five Things to Know About MSU-Alcorn State

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Players Mentioned

Aric Holman

Lamar Peters

Quinndary Weatherspoon

Mississippi State University Athletics