Critical SEC Showdown: Texas vs. Mississippi State

News Summary

On March 3, 2025, college basketball fans are set for a tense SEC showdown as the struggling Texas Longhorns face the solid Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum. Texas, with a 16-13 record, seeks to reverse their recent misfortunes in order to impress the NCAA Tournament selection committee. Conversely, Mississippi State, enjoying a 20-9 record, aims to enhance their tournament seeding and make a significant impact as they honor key seniors. This matchup is crucial for both teams ahead of March Madness.

Starkville, Mississippi: A Critical SEC Showdown Awaits

March 3, 2025, is set to be a thrilling night for college basketball fans as Texas takes on Mississippi State at the iconic Humphrey Coliseum. With both teams having their sights set on postseason glory, this matchup promises to deliver excitement and high-stakes action!

Texas Longhorns: A Make-or-Break Moment

Currently sitting at a record of 16-13 and struggling with a 5-11 tally in SEC play, the Longhorns come into this game in dire need of a turnaround. They’ve faced some tough times lately, losing six of their last seven games, and this could very well be their last chance to impress the NCAA Tournament selection committee in the regular season. The pressure is on, and the team knows that a strong performance could impact their chances of making it to the tournament.

The brightest star for Texas this season has been freshman guard Tre Johnson, who leads the SEC in scoring with an average of 20.6 points per game. However, he faced a disappointing outing in the recent game against Georgia, where he managed only 12 points on a 3-of-7 shooting performance. Can he bounce back in Starkville?

While Texas shines at the free-throw line with a league-leading 77.7% shooting rate, they’ve struggled to keep defenses honest, sitting at 11th in the SEC for shooting percentage with 42.3% and 10th in scoring with an average of 72.8 points per game. Adding to their woes, the team has allowed the most free-throw attempts by opponents in conference play, with 294 attempts—definitely a statistic they’ll want to improve upon.

In terms of roster changes, Texas will be without starting guard Tramon Mark, sidelined due to back spasms. This means other players, such as sophomore forward Devon Pryor, will have to step up. Pryor made his first career start in the loss against Georgia, recording eight points, three rebounds, and a career-high three steals. The Longhorns need all hands on deck against a formidable Mississippi State team.

Mississippi State: Solid and Ready to Roll

On the other side of the court, Mississippi State boasts a record of 20-9 and stands at 8-8 in SEC competition. With their NCAA tournament berth already secured for a third consecutive year, the Bulldogs are aiming to boost their seeding and chase after their first NCAA tournament victory since 2008. This game is crucial as they look to gain momentum heading into the tournament.

The Bulldogs have their own standout player in Josh Hubbard, who ranks fourth in the SEC with an impressive average of 18.4 points per game. He showcased his scoring power in a recent game, netting 30 points against LSU. Mississippi State enters this matchup with confidence—and they’ll be honoring four seniors during the game: Cameron Matthews, Claudius Harris Jr., RJ Melendez, and Trey Jackson III.

Matthews holds the program record for both games played (162) and career steals (265), solidifying his status as a fan favorite. Mississippi State thrives when Riley Kugel contributes, boasting an 11-3 record when he scores at least ten points and an even better 4-1 when he hits 15 points or more.

The Final Countdown

As March Madness looms on the horizon, both teams need a win for different reasons. Texas will be looking to shake off their slump and prove they deserve a place in the postseason, while Mississippi State aims to solidify their standing ahead of their NCAA Tournament journey.

The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. (local time) and will be broadcast on the SEC Network. Fans can also catch the action through live streaming options on Fubo, ESPN+, and SEC+. With excitement brewing and high stakes on the line, you won’t want to miss this unforgettable clash!

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Additional Resources

• Hail State: Five Things to Know – No. 25 State vs Texas
• Texas Longhorns: Men’s Basketball Preview vs No. 25 Mississippi State
• Statesman: Texas Basketball vs Mississippi State Preview
• Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State vs Texas Prediction and Updates
• Wikipedia: March Madness