Vanderbilt Faces Mississippi State in Crucial SEC Basketball Showdown

The Vanderbilt Commodores (13-1, 1-0 SEC) will host the No. 13 Mississippi State Bulldogs (13-1, 1-0 SEC) in a pivotal SEC basketball matchup on Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT at Memorial Gymnasium. The game, broadcast on ESPNU, marks Vanderbilt’s first major conference test of the season under first-year head coach Mark Byington.

Both teams enter the contest with identical records and strong starts to their SEC campaigns. Vanderbilt secured a road win against LSU, while Mississippi State dominated South Carolina by 35 points in its conference opener. However, neither team has faced a ranked opponent this season, with the Bulldogs’ only ranked win coming against Memphis.

Vanderbilt’s offense is led by Jason Edwards, who averages 18.3 points per game, while Mississippi State relies on Josh Hubbard, who contributes 17.7 points per game. Both teams excel at avoiding turnovers, ranking in the top 10 nationally in that category. However, Vanderbilt’s defense, which ranks 12th in forcing turnovers, will be tested by Mississippi State’s aggressive play.

One key factor in the matchup will be size. Vanderbilt lacks a player taller than 6-foot-8, with Devin McGlockton and Jaylen Carey sharing time at center. In contrast, Mississippi State boasts significant height with 6-foot-10 forwards KeShawn Murphy and Michael Nwoko. Murphy averages 10.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, along with 18 blocks this season.

Injuries could also play a role. Vanderbilt’s Alex Hemenway has yet to play this season due to an undisclosed injury, while Mississippi State’s Kanye Clary has missed the last seven games and remains out indefinitely.

The game is expected to be a tightly contested battle, with Vanderbilt’s ability to handle Mississippi State’s size and defensive pressure likely determining the outcome. Fans can stream the game on ESPNU or through various streaming platforms offering free trials.