Saturday, January 4
Starkville
3:30 PM
Mississippi State
vs
#8 Auburn
Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Gameday: Five Things to Know About MSU-No. 8 Auburn
January 03, 2020 | Men's Basketball
by Matt Dunaway, Associate Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State embarks on its 18-game SEC slate when undefeated and No. 8 Auburn visits Humphrey Coliseum on Saturday.
The Bulldogs will open their SEC schedule against a ranked opponent for the third time under fifth-year head coach Ben Howland. Mississippi State defeated No. 22 Arkansas 78-75 on Jan. 2, 2018 after falling 61-60 to No. 21 Texas A&M on Jan. 6, 2016.
The matchup marks the sixth time that the Bulldogs will start SEC action against a top 10 opponent. Three of the previous five occasions also came versus Auburn during the 1958-59, 1960-61 and 1962-63 seasons with Mississippi State winning the last two under Babe McCarthy.
The last time MSU took on a top 10 foe during its SEC opener was a 74-69 overtime victory over No. 6 Kentucky on Jan. 5, 2002. Mario Austin poured in 25 of his game-leading 32 points after halftime, and current graduate assistant Derrick Zimmerman secured 14 points, three assists and two steals as the Bulldogs erased a 16-point deficit inside the game's final 16 minutes.
The Matchup: Mississippi State (9-3, 0-0 SEC) vs. No. 8 Auburn (12-0, 0-0 SEC)
Where: Starkville, Mississippi – Humphrey Coliseum
When: Saturday, Jan. 4, 3:30 p.m. CT
Live Stats: StatBroadcast (https://hailst.at/MBKLiveStats)
Tickets: MSU Ticket Office (https://hailst.at/AUTix1920)
TV: SEC Network
Talent: Mike Morgan, Pat Bradley
DirecTV: Ch. 611, Dish: Ch. 404/408, AT&T U-Verse: Ch. 1607, MaxxSouth: Ch. 1026, C Spire: Ch. 220
Online: WatchESPN App (https://hailst.at/AUvsMSU010420)
Radio: Mississippi State Sports Network – Powered by Learfield IMG College
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/Internet: None
MSU-AUBURN HARDWOOD SERIES
Saturday's matchup is the 138th meeting between Mississippi State and Auburn on the hardwood. The Tigers hold a 77-70 advantage, and the two teams protected their homecourt last season. Dating back to the 2000-01 season, the Bulldogs have won 15 of the last 17 meetings over Auburn at the Hump.
Mississippi State took a 92-84 decision in a battle of a ranked programs last season in Starkville. Quinndary Weatherspoon ripped 20 of his game-leading 27 points during the second half, while Lamar Peters turned in his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 assists. Nick Weatherspoon added 12 points, three assists and three steals. Reggie Perry secured 10 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
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.
For more gameday information, visit https://hailst.at/MBKGameday
PROMOTIONS/TICKETS/SEC MINI PLANS
General admission tickets are available for as low as $12 including fees at www.HailState.com/tickets or in person at the Mississippi State Athletics Ticket Office located on the first floor of the Bryan Building. The Humphrey Coliseum Box Office opens 90 minutes prior to tipoff on gameday.
The first 500 students to Saturday's game will receive a replica jersey tank top. There also is a chance to win $450 for Hail State Rewards members through the Trustmark HSR Drawing. It also marks the program's "Coaching for Literacy" game where the coaching staff will wear green ties. Fans can donate by texting "Bullldogs4Lit" to 71777.
Mississippi State is offering a $60 SEC four-game mini plan at www.HailState.com/tickets which features a trio of Saturday matchups against Georgia (Jan. 18), Tennessee (Feb. 1) and Ole Miss (March 7) in addition to the Alabama (Feb. 25) game.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE
1. Mississippi State turned in its most complete performance of the season during a 96-68 win over Kent State to finish off the 2019 calendar year. Reggie Perry exploded for career-highs with 26 points and 17 rebounds for his SEC-leading sixth double-double of the season. Iverson Molinar rattled home 16 points in 16 minutes and shot a perfect 5-of-5 from the field. D.J. Stewart Jr. and Robert Woodard II chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, whereas Nick Weatherspoon filled the box score with 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and two assists during his 2019-20 home debut. The Bulldogs closed the half on a 16-4 run to turn a six-point deficit into a six-point halftime lead. Ahead 49-47 with 16:15 left, Mississippi State dominated the next 9:48 of the contest with 36 of the next 47 points to fuel a season's best 28-point margin of victory. The Bulldogs held a 40-28 rebounding edge and hit on 29-of-38 at the free throw line.
2. Mississippi State posted 10 SEC victories for the first time since 2007-08 last season. In fact, the Bulldogs have captured 19 SEC wins over the last two seasons under Ben Howland which is the highest total for the program during a two-year span since consecutive 9-7 campaigns in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Overall, MSU has tucked away 58 victories going back to the start of 2017-18 season which ranks fourth in the SEC behind Auburn, Kentucky and Tennessee.
3. Reggie Perry is a preseason All-America selection by Lindy's (First Team), Street & Smith (Second Team) and Athlon Magazines (Third Team) in addition to being named a consensus All-SEC First-Team honoree. He is coming off a sensational offseason where had the opportunity to attend the NBA Draft Combine and workout for several NBA franchises. Perry is currently listed as a candidate for six major awards which include the John R. Wooden, Karl Malone, Lute Olson, Naismith, NABC and Oscar Robertson. He has amassed double figures in 11 of his last 12 games headed by 20.3 PPG and 12.0 RPG over his last three outings. Perry racked up career-highs with 26 points and 17 rebounds versus Kent State on 12/30 and has provided a double-double in three of his last five games. He has notched 15-plus points in six of his last eight appearances. Overall, Perry's 15.4 points per game are tied for 12th, while his 9.8 rebounds per game headline the SEC. He has secured a SEC-leading six double-doubles this season and 15 double-doubles for his career which is tops among SEC active players.
4. Tyson Carter has improved his points, rebounds, assists and steals average over his first three seasons at Mississippi State. The senior guard ranks inside the league's leaders in points (15.4 – T-12th) and three-pointers made (2.2 – T-8th). Carter has already piled up a quartet of 20-plus point performances which is tied for 8th in the SEC. He heads into Saturday's game with double figures in six of his last eight appearances. Carter has registered 1,106 career points and is eying three players on MSU's all-time scoring list. He is 11 points away from moving past W.D. Stroud (1961-62-63) into 33rd place and 18 points shy of his father, Greg Carter, for 31st place. The Carter's are the SEC's only father-son tandem to score over 1,000 points apiece. Tyson's 1,106 points are third among SEC active players only behind Ole Miss' Breein Tyree and LSU's Skylar Mays.
5. Abdul Ado has piled up 9.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game over his last five outings … He managed season's bests with 17 points and 12 rebounds against Radford on 12/18 … Ado has been rated among the SEC's best shot blockers during each of the last three seasons … His 1.3 blocks per game in 2019-20 are good enough for a 10th place tie … Ado has racked up 140 career blocks over 79 career games and has climbed to eighth place on MSU's all-time list … His 1.77 career BPG are third in program history only behind legendary shot blockers Jarvis Varnado (2007-08-09-10) and Erick Dampier (1994-95-96) … Robert Woodard II has provided 11.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game on the season … The 7.3 RPG are eighth on the SEC list … Woodard II and Perry possess the only 20-plus point, 15-plus rebound games among SEC players this season … Woodard II came away with career-highs with 21 points and 16 rebounds against New Orleans on 11/17 … He has already collected double figures in seven games and three of his last four outings after having three games of 10-plus during the entire 2018-19 season … Iverson Molinar and D.J. Stewart Jr. have teamed for 12 games of 10-plus points during their freshman season … The duo has accounted for 119 of the team's 187 bench points (63.6 percent) when coming off the bench … Molinar is coming off a 16-point performance where he was a flawless 5-for-5 from the floor versus Kent State on 12/30 … His season-high is 21 points aided by four treys against Tulane on 11/21 … Stewart Jr. has rattled off 10-plus points in seven games which includes three of his last four appearances … The Bulldogs are 7-0 this season when Stewart Jr. reaches double digit points … His season scoring watermark is 15 points during the Sam Houston State game on 11/08 … KeyShawn Feazell and Prince Oduro also have been solid contributors to MSU's rotation … Oduro totaled four points versus Kent State on 12/30 whereas Feazell added three points and three rebounds against Radford on 12/18 … After missing the first 10 games of the season, Nick Weatherspoon has returned to the starting lineup during MSU's last two games … He filled the box score with 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals during the Kent State game on 12/30 … Weatherspoon has started in 61 of 62 career games and secured 9.6 points and 2.3 assists per game last season.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
The Tigers are joined by San Diego State as the only two remaining unbeaten teams in college basketball. Auburn has won a nation's best 24 of its last 25 games dating back to Feb. 27, 2019 as the Tigers claimed last season's SEC Tournament crown en route to a NCAA Final Four trip.
Auburn has a quartet of players averaging in double figures headed by Samir Doughty (16.4 PPG, 2.8 APG, 1.6 SPG) who has knocked down 46.2 percent from the floor and a 35.7 percent clip from three-point territory. He has dialed up double figures in 10 of 12 games headed by five games of 20-plus points. Doughty pumped in 24 points versus North Carolina State on 12/19.
Isaac Okoro (12.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG) and Austin Wiley (10.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.6 BPG) have fueled Auburn's inside attack. Wiley has tucked away five double-doubles, and his 9.5 rebounds per game are second on the SEC leaderboard. Okoro has drained 57.3 percent of his shot attempts and is a two-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree.
J'Von McCormick (10.6 PPG, 5.7 APG) has registered 10-plus in three of his last four outings ignited by a 20-point, six-assist effort against Saint Louis on 12/14. Auburn's top option off the bench has been Anfernee McLemore (7.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.0 BPG). His 2.0 blocks check in at fourth place among the SEC leaders.
UP NEXT
Mississippi State begins a two-game road swing with a trip to Alabama on Wednesday. Tip time is slated for 6 p.m. CT from Coleman Coliseum. The game will be televised by SEC Network and carried online courtesy of the Watch ESPN platform.
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.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State embarks on its 18-game SEC slate when undefeated and No. 8 Auburn visits Humphrey Coliseum on Saturday.
The Bulldogs will open their SEC schedule against a ranked opponent for the third time under fifth-year head coach Ben Howland. Mississippi State defeated No. 22 Arkansas 78-75 on Jan. 2, 2018 after falling 61-60 to No. 21 Texas A&M on Jan. 6, 2016.
The matchup marks the sixth time that the Bulldogs will start SEC action against a top 10 opponent. Three of the previous five occasions also came versus Auburn during the 1958-59, 1960-61 and 1962-63 seasons with Mississippi State winning the last two under Babe McCarthy.
The last time MSU took on a top 10 foe during its SEC opener was a 74-69 overtime victory over No. 6 Kentucky on Jan. 5, 2002. Mario Austin poured in 25 of his game-leading 32 points after halftime, and current graduate assistant Derrick Zimmerman secured 14 points, three assists and two steals as the Bulldogs erased a 16-point deficit inside the game's final 16 minutes.
The Matchup: Mississippi State (9-3, 0-0 SEC) vs. No. 8 Auburn (12-0, 0-0 SEC)
Where: Starkville, Mississippi – Humphrey Coliseum
When: Saturday, Jan. 4, 3:30 p.m. CT
Live Stats: StatBroadcast (https://hailst.at/MBKLiveStats)
Tickets: MSU Ticket Office (https://hailst.at/AUTix1920)
TV: SEC Network
Talent: Mike Morgan, Pat Bradley
DirecTV: Ch. 611, Dish: Ch. 404/408, AT&T U-Verse: Ch. 1607, MaxxSouth: Ch. 1026, C Spire: Ch. 220
Online: WatchESPN App (https://hailst.at/AUvsMSU010420)
Radio: Mississippi State Sports Network – Powered by Learfield IMG College
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/Internet: None
MSU-AUBURN HARDWOOD SERIES
Saturday's matchup is the 138th meeting between Mississippi State and Auburn on the hardwood. The Tigers hold a 77-70 advantage, and the two teams protected their homecourt last season. Dating back to the 2000-01 season, the Bulldogs have won 15 of the last 17 meetings over Auburn at the Hump.
Mississippi State took a 92-84 decision in a battle of a ranked programs last season in Starkville. Quinndary Weatherspoon ripped 20 of his game-leading 27 points during the second half, while Lamar Peters turned in his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 assists. Nick Weatherspoon added 12 points, three assists and three steals. Reggie Perry secured 10 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
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.
For more gameday information, visit https://hailst.at/MBKGameday
PROMOTIONS/TICKETS/SEC MINI PLANS
General admission tickets are available for as low as $12 including fees at www.HailState.com/tickets or in person at the Mississippi State Athletics Ticket Office located on the first floor of the Bryan Building. The Humphrey Coliseum Box Office opens 90 minutes prior to tipoff on gameday.
The first 500 students to Saturday's game will receive a replica jersey tank top. There also is a chance to win $450 for Hail State Rewards members through the Trustmark HSR Drawing. It also marks the program's "Coaching for Literacy" game where the coaching staff will wear green ties. Fans can donate by texting "Bullldogs4Lit" to 71777.
Mississippi State is offering a $60 SEC four-game mini plan at www.HailState.com/tickets which features a trio of Saturday matchups against Georgia (Jan. 18), Tennessee (Feb. 1) and Ole Miss (March 7) in addition to the Alabama (Feb. 25) game.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE
1. Mississippi State turned in its most complete performance of the season during a 96-68 win over Kent State to finish off the 2019 calendar year. Reggie Perry exploded for career-highs with 26 points and 17 rebounds for his SEC-leading sixth double-double of the season. Iverson Molinar rattled home 16 points in 16 minutes and shot a perfect 5-of-5 from the field. D.J. Stewart Jr. and Robert Woodard II chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, whereas Nick Weatherspoon filled the box score with 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and two assists during his 2019-20 home debut. The Bulldogs closed the half on a 16-4 run to turn a six-point deficit into a six-point halftime lead. Ahead 49-47 with 16:15 left, Mississippi State dominated the next 9:48 of the contest with 36 of the next 47 points to fuel a season's best 28-point margin of victory. The Bulldogs held a 40-28 rebounding edge and hit on 29-of-38 at the free throw line.
2. Mississippi State posted 10 SEC victories for the first time since 2007-08 last season. In fact, the Bulldogs have captured 19 SEC wins over the last two seasons under Ben Howland which is the highest total for the program during a two-year span since consecutive 9-7 campaigns in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Overall, MSU has tucked away 58 victories going back to the start of 2017-18 season which ranks fourth in the SEC behind Auburn, Kentucky and Tennessee.
3. Reggie Perry is a preseason All-America selection by Lindy's (First Team), Street & Smith (Second Team) and Athlon Magazines (Third Team) in addition to being named a consensus All-SEC First-Team honoree. He is coming off a sensational offseason where had the opportunity to attend the NBA Draft Combine and workout for several NBA franchises. Perry is currently listed as a candidate for six major awards which include the John R. Wooden, Karl Malone, Lute Olson, Naismith, NABC and Oscar Robertson. He has amassed double figures in 11 of his last 12 games headed by 20.3 PPG and 12.0 RPG over his last three outings. Perry racked up career-highs with 26 points and 17 rebounds versus Kent State on 12/30 and has provided a double-double in three of his last five games. He has notched 15-plus points in six of his last eight appearances. Overall, Perry's 15.4 points per game are tied for 12th, while his 9.8 rebounds per game headline the SEC. He has secured a SEC-leading six double-doubles this season and 15 double-doubles for his career which is tops among SEC active players.
4. Tyson Carter has improved his points, rebounds, assists and steals average over his first three seasons at Mississippi State. The senior guard ranks inside the league's leaders in points (15.4 – T-12th) and three-pointers made (2.2 – T-8th). Carter has already piled up a quartet of 20-plus point performances which is tied for 8th in the SEC. He heads into Saturday's game with double figures in six of his last eight appearances. Carter has registered 1,106 career points and is eying three players on MSU's all-time scoring list. He is 11 points away from moving past W.D. Stroud (1961-62-63) into 33rd place and 18 points shy of his father, Greg Carter, for 31st place. The Carter's are the SEC's only father-son tandem to score over 1,000 points apiece. Tyson's 1,106 points are third among SEC active players only behind Ole Miss' Breein Tyree and LSU's Skylar Mays.
5. Abdul Ado has piled up 9.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game over his last five outings … He managed season's bests with 17 points and 12 rebounds against Radford on 12/18 … Ado has been rated among the SEC's best shot blockers during each of the last three seasons … His 1.3 blocks per game in 2019-20 are good enough for a 10th place tie … Ado has racked up 140 career blocks over 79 career games and has climbed to eighth place on MSU's all-time list … His 1.77 career BPG are third in program history only behind legendary shot blockers Jarvis Varnado (2007-08-09-10) and Erick Dampier (1994-95-96) … Robert Woodard II has provided 11.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game on the season … The 7.3 RPG are eighth on the SEC list … Woodard II and Perry possess the only 20-plus point, 15-plus rebound games among SEC players this season … Woodard II came away with career-highs with 21 points and 16 rebounds against New Orleans on 11/17 … He has already collected double figures in seven games and three of his last four outings after having three games of 10-plus during the entire 2018-19 season … Iverson Molinar and D.J. Stewart Jr. have teamed for 12 games of 10-plus points during their freshman season … The duo has accounted for 119 of the team's 187 bench points (63.6 percent) when coming off the bench … Molinar is coming off a 16-point performance where he was a flawless 5-for-5 from the floor versus Kent State on 12/30 … His season-high is 21 points aided by four treys against Tulane on 11/21 … Stewart Jr. has rattled off 10-plus points in seven games which includes three of his last four appearances … The Bulldogs are 7-0 this season when Stewart Jr. reaches double digit points … His season scoring watermark is 15 points during the Sam Houston State game on 11/08 … KeyShawn Feazell and Prince Oduro also have been solid contributors to MSU's rotation … Oduro totaled four points versus Kent State on 12/30 whereas Feazell added three points and three rebounds against Radford on 12/18 … After missing the first 10 games of the season, Nick Weatherspoon has returned to the starting lineup during MSU's last two games … He filled the box score with 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals during the Kent State game on 12/30 … Weatherspoon has started in 61 of 62 career games and secured 9.6 points and 2.3 assists per game last season.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
The Tigers are joined by San Diego State as the only two remaining unbeaten teams in college basketball. Auburn has won a nation's best 24 of its last 25 games dating back to Feb. 27, 2019 as the Tigers claimed last season's SEC Tournament crown en route to a NCAA Final Four trip.
Auburn has a quartet of players averaging in double figures headed by Samir Doughty (16.4 PPG, 2.8 APG, 1.6 SPG) who has knocked down 46.2 percent from the floor and a 35.7 percent clip from three-point territory. He has dialed up double figures in 10 of 12 games headed by five games of 20-plus points. Doughty pumped in 24 points versus North Carolina State on 12/19.
Isaac Okoro (12.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG) and Austin Wiley (10.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.6 BPG) have fueled Auburn's inside attack. Wiley has tucked away five double-doubles, and his 9.5 rebounds per game are second on the SEC leaderboard. Okoro has drained 57.3 percent of his shot attempts and is a two-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree.
J'Von McCormick (10.6 PPG, 5.7 APG) has registered 10-plus in three of his last four outings ignited by a 20-point, six-assist effort against Saint Louis on 12/14. Auburn's top option off the bench has been Anfernee McLemore (7.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.0 BPG). His 2.0 blocks check in at fourth place among the SEC leaders.
UP NEXT
Mississippi State begins a two-game road swing with a trip to Alabama on Wednesday. Tip time is slated for 6 p.m. CT from Coleman Coliseum. The game will be televised by SEC Network and carried online courtesy of the Watch ESPN platform.
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.
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