Sports
Mississippi State Upsets Tennessee in SEC Tournament Quarterfinals
Tennessee suffered a disappointing loss in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals as they were upset by Mississippi State at Bridgestone Arena. The Vols, who had been the top seed, faced a tough challenge against the Bulldogs and fell short with a season-low score of 56 points.
Dalton Knecht, the SEC player of the year, managed to contribute 14 points for Tennessee, while Zakai Zeigler led the team with 20 points in the game. Despite their efforts, the Vols struggled to contain Mississippi State’s offense throughout the matchup.
With this defeat, Tennessee now awaits their fate in the NCAA Tournament and is projected to receive a No. 2 seed. The Vols will enter the tournament on a two-game losing streak, a significant setback from their strong performance earlier in the season.
The first half of the game proved to be the Vols’ downfall, with a dismal shooting performance from beyond the arc. Tennessee struggled to convert their 3-point attempts, shooting just 2-for-18 in the first half and ending the game with only three successful 3-pointers.
Mississippi State capitalized on Tennessee’s offensive struggles, dominating the paint and taking advantage of easy scoring opportunities inside. The Bulldogs’ aggressive playstyle led to a commanding lead at halftime, with the Vols trailing by a significant margin.
Jahmai Mashack, who had a rough start with a missed 3-pointer, exemplified Tennessee’s struggles from long range. Despite a late rally by Zakai Zeigler in the second half, the Vols could not overcome the deficit, ultimately falling short against Mississippi State.
Looking ahead, Mississippi State’s victory in the SEC Tournament solidifies their position for March Madness, with expectations of an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs are set to face Tennessee once again in an exciting rematch that could impact their seeding for the upcoming tournament.
As Selection Sunday approaches, college basketball fans eagerly await the announcement of the NCAA Tournament brackets and matchups. Both Tennessee and Mississippi State will be closely monitoring their seeding and potential opponents as they gear up for the next stage of postseason play.
