Gameday: Five Things To Know About MSU-Colorado State

by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications

FORT WORTH, Texas – Mississippi State faces its second undefeated opponent over a seven-day span as the Bulldogs take on Colorado State from the Mountain West Conference on Saturday afternoon at Dickies Arena as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic.

The Bulldogs (6-2) will look to return to the win column following an 81-76 setback to Minnesota. State checks in at No. 49 in the NCAA Net Rankings with Saturday's matchup as one of 11 slated opportunities ahead with quad 1 opponents.

The Rams (9-0) head into the weekend's action as one of eight remaining unbeaten teams in the nation. Last time out, the preseason Mountain West favorites posted a 74-58 victory over Saint Mary's behind 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals from David Roddy.

The Matchup: Mississippi State (6-2, 0-0 SEC) vs. Colorado State (9-0, 0-0 Mountain West)
Where: Fort Worth, Texas – Dickies Arena
When: Saturday, December 11, 1:00 p.m. CT
Live Stats: StatBroadcast (https://hailst.at/MBKLiveStats)

Stream: ESPNU
Talent: Roxy Bernstein, Adrian Branch
DirecTV: Ch. 208, Dish: Ch. 141, AT&T U-Verse: Ch. 1605, MaxxSouth: Ch. 1162, C Spire: Ch. 206
Online: Watch ESPN App (Cable Subscription Required)
(https://hailst.at/WatchESPN)

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); The Varsity Network App

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE
1. Heading into the weekend's action, Mississippi State holds top three marks on the SEC leaderboard in three-point field goal percentage (36.7 – 2nd), rebounding margin (+12.9 – 2nd), offensive rebounding percentage (37.6 – 2nd), defensive rebounding percentage (78.6 – 2nd) and field goal percentage (47.8 – 3rd).

The +12.9 rebounding margin also is seventh nationally. The Bulldogs have rated among the nation's top 20 in rebounding margin during each of the last three seasons.

2. Mississippi State's coaching staff led by Ben Howland along with assistant coaches George Brooks, Korey McCray and Ernie Zeigler are in their seventh season together in Starkville during the 2021-22 season. The Bulldogs coaching quartet is second-longest tenured group at the Power 5 level only behind the West Virginia staff, who is entering its 10th season under Bob Huggins.

3. Iverson Molinar captured 18 of his career-high 26 points during the second half as Mississippi State overcome a 14-point deficit on three occasions to tie the contest inside the final minute. However, Minnesota scored the final five points to take an 81-76 decision over the Bulldogs.

Garrison Brooks notched his first double-double in Maroon and White with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while D.J. Jeffries nearly added a double-double of his own with nine points, nine rebounds and two blocks. State scored 16 of the game's 18 points from the bench headed by Rocket Watts' eight points.

4. Iverson Molinar is one of five SEC players to score in double figures during every one of his team's games this season. The list includes fellow All-SEC Preseason First-Team picks in Colin Castleton (Florida), JD Notae (Arkansas) and Jaden Shackelford (Alabama) along with Jarkel Joiner (Ole Miss).

Molinar is the only SEC player to rank among the league's top 5 in points (17.3 – 3rd) and assists (4.9 – 3rd). He is one of five Power 5 players to be ranked among his conferences top five in both categories. The list includes Terrell Brown Jr. (Washington – Pac 12), Mike Miles Jr. (TCU – Big 12), Wendell Moore Jr. (Duke – ACC) and Alondes Williams (Wake Forest – ACC).

He has pumped home at least 15 points and five assists during five of his eight outings. Molinar's 3.90 assist-to-turnover ratio is second on the SEC leaderboard. The Panama native tops the SEC with a 92.9 free throw percentage.

5. Mississippi State's transfer class of Garrison Brooks, D.J. Jeffries, Shakeel Moore and Rocket Watts has amassed 2,663 career points and 122 career games in double figures. Their teams have posted a combined 89-33 record when providing 10-plus points headed by Jeffries' 25-5 and Watts' 17-2 marks, respectively.

Brooks holds the top spot among SEC active players with 857 career rebounds and sits seventh among SEC's active players with 1,364 career points. Moore has posted 2.3 steals per game, which checks in fourth in the SEC rankings.

FROM THE LOCKER ROOM – HEAD COACH BEN HOWLAND
"I thought our guys came ready and prepared to practice. I thought we did some really positive things in practice in terms of improving our transition defense. We did a good job of focusing on guarding the dribble better and staying in front of the basketball. Things that were all bad for us in the loss to Minnesota."

"If we beat Colorado State, that would be a huge win for our resume. That's why we scheduled the game. We knew they were going to be really good. That's what we lost out on with Minnesota at home. It especially stings to lose at home, and Minnesota is good. Their experience, their toughness and ability to shoot really showed up, but you get back up on the horse. We have another game coming, and that's a tough one."

"I think Colorado State is probably the most underrated team in the country right now. They are 26th in the polls if you look at where they are getting votes. They have two players that can play for any team in the country, and I think David Roddy  is an NBA player. I've coached a lot of NBA players, and I know what one looks like. This guy is special. He is really something because he's added the ability to step out and shoot three's at a very high level. He is really problematic."

"The vast majority of their guys are guys that have a lot of experience. They score in the Top 10 in the country in points. They don't turn it over, and they're a good defensive team. They play extremely hard and mix up their defenses some. They just have an outstanding team, a team that I think will have a chance to advance quite far in the NCAA Tournament."

SERIES HISTORY
Mississippi State and Colorado State will meet on the hardwood for the second time. The previous meeting between the two programs came in the 1999 NIT First Round, a 69-56 decision in favor of the Rams, during Rick Stansbury's first season. Detrick White led the Bulldogs with 10 points and seven assists.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Colorado State's non-conference undefeated mark is highlighted by wins over Oral Roberts (109-80 on 11/09), Creighton (95-81 on 11/21) and Saint Mary's (74-58 on 12/04).

The high-octane Rams have averaged 85.3 points per game on a 53.6 shooting percentage. Colorado State has knocked down 82 three-pointers on a 43.4 shooting clip and hit on 81.3 percent at the foul line.

David Roddy (20.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.1 BPG) has hit for 20-plus points on four occasions and collected three double-doubles on the season. He poured in a season's best 36 points against Creighton (11/21) in addition to a 30-point, 10-rebound effort versus Bradley (11/19).

Isaiah Stevens (14.8 PPG, 7.0 APG, 2.0 SPG) and John Tonje (12.7 PPG) have averaged in double figures.

Tonje has done his damage with eight of his nine appearances off the bench. He has upped his mark to 14.0 points per game over his last three outings fueled by a 20-point performance versus Northern Colorado (11/27).

Stevens has two double-doubles of points and assists on the season. He tallied 17 points and 11 assists during the Creighton game.

UP NEXT
Mississippi State meets Georgia State on Tuesday to begin a three-game sequence in eight days leading into the program's holiday break. Tip time is slated for 7 p.m. CT carried online only via SEC Network+ and the Watch ESPN app.

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-Colorado State

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Players Mentioned

Garrison Brooks

D.J. Jeffries

Iverson Molinar

Shakeel Moore

Rocket Watts

Mississippi State University Athletics