ESPN Tuesday: Part II – Wildcats vs Bulldogs

THE STORY:  The two teams have split their last six games and the average margin of victory has been 4.9 points in the last seven meetings. Both teams are known for their stiff defense; opponents are shooting only 36.2 percent against Kentucky and 42.9 against Miss State. But Kentucky, which has won 18 straight games, has the advantage on offense, averaging 77.8 points with five players in double figures, compared to Miss State’s 72.5 points per game. 

TV: 9 p.m. ET. ESPN

ABOUT KENTUCKY (26-1, 12-0 SEC): Hard to believe that all-conference forward Terrence Jones just picked up his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds against Ole Miss. Freshman Anthony Davis has elevated himself into discussion to become national player of the year; he’s averaging 13.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.9 blocks. Point guard Marquis Teague is averaging 8.7 assists over the last three games. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has seen his offensive production drop off, but he’s had seven or more rebounds in six of his last seven games. Doron Lamb is averaging 3.25 3-pointers over the last four games.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (19-8, 6-6 SEC): The Bulldogs have lost three straight and dropped out of the top 25 after an embarrassing 10-point loss at Auburn. Arnett Moultrie continues to be the Bulldogs most consistent player, averaging 16.5 points and an SEC-best 10.8 rebounds; he’s had 15 double-doubles, including 16 points and 11 rebounds against Auburn. Dee Bost will need a good showing against the Wildcats; he’s averaging 15.8 points and 5.0 assists and is now third in school history for 3-pointers and assists. Wendell Lewis started at forward for the first time since Jan. 7 and scored only three points, but had five rebounds, in 29 minutes.

TIP-INS: 

1. Kentucky is 9-2 against Miss State when ranked No. 1. 

2. Teague’s assist-turnover ratio of 2.1, better than the 1.3 mark held by John Wall in 2010 and Brandon Knight in 2011 at the same time. 

3. Miss State is 9-0 when Moultrie scores at least 20 points.

Related posts:
NCAAB - NIT interested? Bulldogs were in Top-25 a month ago (Tony Finn) 0
NCAAB - Wildcats overwhelming favorite to win SEC tourney (SportsOptions.com) 0
NCAAB - ESPN Super Tuesday Part II: Florida at Vanderbilt (Tony Finn) 0
NCAAB - ESPN Super Tuesday: Spartans versus Hoosiers (Tony Finn) 0
NCAAB - ESPN Tuesday: Part I – Illinois at Ohio State (SportsOptions.com) 0

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