Bullies Come to T-Town Looking for Winning Streak
TUSCALOOSA, AL| It is no secret that Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury and Alabama coach Mark Gottfried are not best friends. Or friends at all. OK, they just plain do not like each other. In a feud that started over recruiting, the rivalry became bigger when these two teams fought for SEC West supremacy in the earlier part of the decade. It is a rivalry that is considered "not friendly". That said, the two coaches will have to spend some time together Wednesday night as the Bulldogs from Starkville come to Coleman Coliseum to take on the #18 Crimson Tide.
Mississippi State (12-9, 3-5) is fresh off a home win over LSU this past Saturday, which snapped a three game losing streak, and is looking for its first SEC road win of the season. The Bulldogs are lead by sophomore Jamont Gordon and his 15.4 points per game and Charles Grant's 6 boards per game. While Mississippi State is still probably a year or two away from competing for an SEC title, they are still good enough to win this game.
Alabama (17-5, 4-4) is currently ranked 18th or 19th (depending on which poll you like) and is in sole possession of first place in the SEC West. The Tide has won two games in a row and looks to continue its home court supremacy. That said, the Tide will have to come out with more emotion and get off to a better start than they have in their last few home games.
Even though the Tide got a big win Saturday against South Carolina, it took a 2nd half comeback and a very hot Mykal Riley for the Tide to defeat the SEC East cellar dweller Gamecocks. The previous home game the Tide was blown out by an Arkansas team that now has a losing record in the league.
While Jermareo Davidson leads the Tide with 15 points a game it has been sophomore Richard Hendrix that has been the constant for Bama this year. While other players have had great nights and bad nights, it has been Hendrix that provides balanced scoring and rebounding for the Tide night in and night out, averaging 14.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
Back to this game, I think Mississippi State will play well and keep it close but the Tide is just more talented this year and the game is in Coleman.
Nick's Prediction: # 18 Alabama 74 Miss. St. 62
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