Bulldogs Host Auburn Looking To Reach Double Figures In SEC Wins

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Edging closer to securing at least a share of their fourth SEC Western Division title in the last six seasons, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (18-8, 9-3) play host to the Tigers of Auburn University (14-11, 4-8) Wednesday evening on the MSU campus. Tip-off time for the non-televised 129th series renewal is set for 7 p.m. at Humphrey Coliseum. The contest can be heard on XM Satellite Radio Channel 232 and on SIRIUS Channel 158.

Having already clinched a winning season in conference play for the fifth time during the Rick Stansbury era, the Bulldogs own an 18-8 overall record and 9-3 league mark after claiming a dramatic 61-56 overtime road triumph over South Carolina this past Saturday in Columbia. With the road win this past weekend, MSU has already surpassed last year’s regular-season totals of 17 overall wins and eight SEC victories. In addition, the Bulldogs currently own a two-game lead over Arkansas in the SEC Western Division standings.

On the heels of limiting the Gamecocks to just 31 percent field-goal shooting, MState enters the week still ranked second nationally behind Georgetown (.360 to .366) in field-goal percentage defense. In conference play, MSU has held eight of 12 SEC opponents under 40 percent field-goal shooting on the year. Led by the nation’s No. 1 shot-blocker in sophomore Jarvis Varnado (4.81 bpg), the Bulldogs also still remain second in the NCAA team rankings in blocked shots behind Connecticut (8.81 to 8.23 bpg). As a team for all games, MSU also paces the SEC in scoring defense (63.6 ppg) and rebounding (41.2 rpg; tied with Ole Miss).

Continuing to feature four players scoring in double figures on the season, the Bulldogs are led by junior all-America candidate Jamont Gordon, who ranks fifth in the SEC in scoring (17.5 ppg), third in assists (4.73 apg) and 15th in rebounding (6.3 rpg). Senior all-star forward Charles Rhodes stands 10th in the league in scoring (15.6 ppg), seventh in rebounding (7.3 rpg) and seventh in field-goal percentage (.553). Tied for third in the SEC with seven double-doubles on the year, Rhodes is averaging 18.4 points over his last eight outings. Sophomore guards Barry Stewart and Ben Hansbrough add 12.1 and 10.0 points per contest, respectively, and have combined to make 90 three-point field goals between them for the season.

Guided by fourth-year head coach Jeff Lebo, the Auburn Tigers are 14-11 overall and tied for third with Ole Miss in the SEC West with a 4-8 league mark after posting an 88-76 home triumph over rival Alabama this past Sunday on the Plains. Having also won at Ole Miss (90-78 on Feb. 16) since losing at home to MSU earlier this month, Auburn is led in scoring by senior forward Quan Prowell at 15.1 points per outing. Still without the services of injured junior forward Korvotney Barber, the Tigers get 13.6 and 13.1 points per game, respectively, from guards Rasheem Barrett and Frank Tolbert.

Including their 83-64 road win over Auburn earlier this month on the Plains as well as last year’s season series sweep over AU, the Bulldogs have claimed 12 of the last 14 series meetings between these two teams dating back to the 2000-01 campaign. With a current seven-game series win streak at home over Auburn, MState has prevailed in those seven prior Starkville meetings against AU all by double figures and by an average margin of 21.3 points per home win over the Tigers. Individually, MSU’s Rhodes is averaging a double-double (18.6 ppg & 10.0 rpg) in five career outings against the Tigers, including this month’s 17-point, 10-rebound effort at Auburn. With three of his 13 career double-doubles having come against Auburn, Rhodes is shooting a collective 62 percent (34-of-55 FGs) from the field and 86 percent (25-of-29 FTs) from the line versus AU.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Bulldogs Host Auburn Looking To Reach Double Figures In SEC Wins