Mississippi State
#4 Alabama
Bulldogs Turn Attention to Crimson Tide
March 09, 2023 | Men's Basketball
MSU has battled Alabama twice already this season.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mississippi State pulled out a gritty 69-68 victory over Florida in its first game of the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Thursday, and the team is now preparing for a third date with a familiar foe.
Alabama looms as the top overall seed in the tournament and will face MSU at noon on Friday. The Bulldogs have plenty of experience against the Crimson Tide squad after the two teams squared off twice already this season in close matchups. Given the recent past, head coach Chris Jans fully understands the tough test the Tide presents.
"Like everybody in this tournament, they get how to turn it around and prepare," Jans said. "I know we're going to have to play really, really well."
The Bulldogs enter Friday with loads of momentum. After Thursday's dramatic win, Mississippi State has a much-improved chance of going dancing in the NCAA Tournament, even if nothing is guaranteed until Selection Sunday.
The Bulldogs sit at 21-11 overall this year with an 8-10 record in SEC regular-season play and a handful of quality victories in their favor. A win against one of the top teams in the country could further bolster the Bulldogs' resume and come close to guaranteeing a postseason spot.
"They've got great players, great coaches," Jans said of Alabama. "What an opportunity and obviously a big challenge for us."
The task might be challenging, but it won't be impossible. MSU has proven that it can hang with anybody, making nearly every matchup a competitive game and even knocking off top-25 opponents such as TCU and Texas A&M over the past few weeks. Even when things aren't always going the Bulldogs' way, the team seems to find a way to rally and emerge victorious in the end.
"I think this group has earned some toughness," Jans said. "They've come from behind. They've staved off other teams that way."
Redshirt senior Tolu Smith seems ready to head into battle again in less than 24 hours. The forward scored a team-high 28 points and pulled down 12 rebounds against Florida and sank the game-winning layup with four seconds left in overtime. He does not doubt what his team has the capability of doing against Alabama.
"I think we're going to give them a good run," Smith said.
Senior guard Dashawn Davis, who dished out a crucial assist on Smith's game-winning field goal and added nine points of his own, agreed with his teammate.
"We [are] definitely ready to play them again," Davis said.
Mississippi State will have a quick turnaround, and all eyes will be tuning in for some lunchtime hoops that could shape the postseason race. There's sure to be some nerves and excitement, but Jans is heading into the matchup with a calm determination, knowing that something special could happen.
"I just look at it as a wonderful opportunity," Jans said.
