No. 6 Kentucky (14-3) heads to Starkville to face off against No. 14 Mississippi State (14-1) in a high-stakes SEC showdown this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET. The game marks the Wildcats’ first ranked road game of the season, and after dropping their last two away contests, they will be eager to bounce back and secure their first true road win.
Mississippi State enters the contest as a 4.5-point favorite, boasting an impressive 14-1 record under head coach Chris Jans. The Bulldogs are off to their best start in years, with their only loss coming against Butler in late November. With a stifling defense and balanced offense, they have quickly become one of the most formidable teams in the SEC.
A key player to watch for Mississippi State is sophomore guard Josh Hubbard, who is averaging 17.1 points per game. Hubbard was a standout last season, scoring 34 points in a narrow loss to Kentucky, and he’ll be looking to replicate that performance. Alongside him is senior forward Cameron Matthews, whose all-around game has earned comparisons to NBA star Draymond Green. Matthews is averaging 8.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, making him a versatile threat.
For Kentucky, Lamont Butler has been leading the charge in SEC play, averaging 19.5 points per game over the past two contests. The Wildcats also rely on Otega Oweh, who has been consistent all season, contributing double-digit scoring in every game so far. Kentucky’s depth will be tested, especially with senior forward Andrew Carr listed as questionable for the game.
Kentucky has dominated the all-time series with Mississippi State, holding a 103-21 record, but the Bulldogs will be eager to break an 18-game losing streak to the Wildcats in regular-season play. Mark Pope’s squad is also aiming for his 200th career win, adding extra motivation to what promises to be an intense battle.
As both teams aim for SEC supremacy, expect a hard-fought game in Starkville with plenty of fireworks. Tune in at 8:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network to catch all the action.
