Mississippi State Bulldogs Face Off Against Butler Bulldogs in Arizona Tip-Off Championship

The Mississippi State Bulldogs, ranked #25 nationally, are set to face the Butler Bulldogs in the Arizona Tip-Off Championship game on Friday, November 29, 2024. This matchup follows the semifinals where Butler edged Northwestern 71-69, and Mississippi State dominated UNLV 80-58.

Mississippi State, with a perfect 6-0 record, has been impressive this season, including wins over SMU and Utah. In their last game against UNLV, the Bulldogs were led by KeShawn Murphy, who posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Mississippi State also showcased strong rebounding, grabbing 19 offensive rebounds, the most since January.

Butler, with a 5-1 record, has been on a four-game winning streak. In their semifinal game, Jahmyl Telfort led the team with 23 points and five assists, while Andre Screen contributed 15 points and nine rebounds. Butler’s defense has been a highlight, limiting opponents to 24.4% shooting from three-point range and 36.4% from the field overall.

The game will be played at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The matchup is expected to be competitive, with both teams boasting strong offensive and defensive performances. Mississippi State is favored by 8 points, according to the latest odds.

This will be the second meeting between the two teams, with their previous encounter being a 47-46 win for Butler in the 2003 NCAA Tournament. The game promises to be an exciting clash of two strong college basketball teams).