GAME THREAD: Mizzou hosts Mississippi State

Live updates, analysis

Final: Missouri drops this one 67-63. Xavier Pinson had 20 and Dru Smith had 19, but it wasn’t enough to get the W over Mississippi State in Round 2.

3:43 2H: Missouri is down seven at the last media timeout. Jeremiah Tilmon just took a 3-pointer, which is probably not the shot you want in this situation. Dru Smith will be heading to the free throw line when play resumes.

7:47 2H: Missouri is right back in it after a 13-4 run made it a 55-53 game. Xavier Pinson and Dru Smith are both playing at a high level, Jeremiah Tilmon is showing off his post moves and Mitchell Smith has a quiet 10 points.

12:00 2H: Mississippi State has opened up an 11-point lead, its largest of the game. Xavier Pinson and Dru Smith both have 11 points, but the Bulldogs have five guys with at least six

15:07 2H: Missouri trails 43-40, outscoring Mississippi State 6-2 to start this half. Xavier Pinson just hit a 3-pointer that sent Mizzou Arena into a frenzy and forced the Bulldogs to call a timeout. Let’s see if he’s got another second half surge in him.

Halftime: Missouri trails 41-34. A rough minute allowed Mississippi State to stretch its lead to as many as 10, and the Bulldogs are shooting 58.3% from the field. The Tigers got some work to do after the break.

3:49 1H: Missouri is behind 31-25. Not an amazing day defensively for the Tigers. Mississippi State is shooting 57% from the field and 40% from deep.

11:36 1H: Missouri trails Mississippi State 11-10. Dru Smith is grinding out there. He hasn’t scored yet but he’s already pulled in five offensive boards, with four coming on the last possession alone.

15:57 1H: Missouri and Mississippi State are tied 4-4. Xavier Pinson and Reed Nikko, both the guys who’ve improved the most this season, have both of the Tigers’ buckets.

Pregame notes

As we all know, the last time Missouri played Mississippi State, it did not go well.

The Bulldogs blew the Tigers out 72-45 back in January, and it wasn’t close from the tip. Still, that was in Starkville, Mississippi, and Missouri has struggled on the road since the start of conference play. This time, Mississippi State is on the road at Mizzou Arena, where the good guys have won their last four games.

The Bulldogs are playing for a potential spot in the NCAA Tournament, while the Tigers are playing to avoid a Wednesday SEC Tournament game. Most predictions have this one down as a coin-flip, so expect a game in which a single play might make the difference.

Hoops Preview: Mississippi State is fighting for a Dance ticket, and Missouri could play spoiler

The Details

Opponent: Mississippi State Bulldogs (18-10, 9-6 SEC)

Time: 2:30 p.m. CT

Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia MO

Is Mizzou Receiving Top 25 Votes? Ummmm, no.

What Does Vegas Say? Mizzou, -1.5

Where To Watch: SEC Network | WatchESPN

Radio: Tiger Radio Network // Sirius/XM -119/199

Twitter: @MizzouHoops

Facebook: Mizzou Men’s Basketball

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Five Questions!

1. Who is the game’s leading scorer?
2. How many boards does Mitchell Smith grab?
3. Who plays more minutes: Mark Smith or Jeremiah Tilmon?
4. Who is your trifecta for the game?
5. What will the final score be?