Just one point has changed the scope of an entire season. That skinny number catapulted No. 19 Mississippi State (15-5, 5-4 Southeastern Conference) to victories in five of its last six and sent the University of Mississippi (12-9, 3-7 SEC) on a five game losing skid.
Saturday’s grudge match will be the 226th between the schools (MSU leads 124-101). The Bulldog fans will have their brooms and dustpans ready for the sweep while Rebel fans will just be looking to get their team back on track.
The UM defensive unit that once led the SEC has given up 76, 77, 80 and 74 since MSU senior Derrick Zimmerman derailed the Rebel Express with a coast-to-coast lay-up to win in Oxford.
MSU has taken over the lead vanquished by UM. State tops the SEC in field goal percentage allowed (38.8) and in scoring margin (+ 12.8).
“Right now as a team, we are realizing that defense is our key to winning. We just want to get better with details,” Zimmerman said.
In addition to tenacious defense, the Bulldogs have gotten great play from the bench in the past two home games. Marcus Campbell had nine points and 10 boards against Arkansas in 15 minutes. Winsome Frazier, who scored 12 points in 13 minutes, likes the camaraderie of the team.
“Right now, we are a family,” Frazier said.
Frazier, who suffered a sprained ankle against Arkansas, walked in a boot until Wednesday.
Mario Austin, who tallied his fourth double-double (19 points, 12 rebounds) of the season in the 84-54 win over the Hogs, likes the way the bench has delivered.
“Once you have scoring and great defensive effort off the bench, you have a much better team,” Austin said.
MSU head coach Rick Stansbury agreed, “I like the way our bench is coming in for us. They know their roles.”
After a rocky SEC start, the Bulldogs are second in the West. With the momentum that MSU has, fans hated to see the Wednesday bye, but Stansbury thinks the time off won’t kill MSU’s mojo.
“I am pleased that, after we started 0-3 in the league, we are a game above .500,” Stansbury said. “At this time of year, you love to be in the rhythm of playing Wednesdays and Saturdays and being off Sundays, but we will make that adjustment.”
In contrast, UM can’t seem to find answers. Rebels have not been in a conundrum like this since Sherman marched through Georgia torching everything in sight.
UM stayed in the game with Florida into the second half Wednesday night until a 23-3 run by the Gators. The Gators were able to play a 2-3 zone as UM made just 25.8 percent from the field in the second half.
“You just deal with it as a coach,” Mississippi coach Rod Barnes said. “You know there are going to be times you’re going to struggle a little, times you’re going to have setbacks. I would be concerned if the kids weren’t getting back up and showing the desire, but I don’t see that.”
In last season’s contest at Humphrey Coliseum, 10,645 packed in to become the largest crowd ever to see a basketball game in the Magnolia state. Another capacity crowd is expected, but those who don’t have tickets and hate scalpers will be able to see the game on SEC-TV on FoxSportsNet at 6 p.m.