The NCAA Tournament is here! The No. 9 seed Baylor Bears are gearing up to face off against the No. 8 seed Mississippi State Bulldogs in a first-round clash. These matchups are often the most difficult to predict but can be some of the most fun to watch. It’s a Big 12 vs. SEC matchup with a possible matchup against the number one-seeded Duke Blue Devils on the line. Let’s preview this matchup.
Baylor Vs. Mississippi State Preview
- Date: Friday, March 21st
- Game Time: 12:15 PM EST
- Venue: Lenovo Center
- How to Watch (TV): CBS
- Michigan Record: 25-9
- UC San Diego Record: 30-4
When it comes to the Baylor Bears, they may not have had the best track record against top-tier opponents, but they are a team capable of surprises. While their 1-11 record against Quad- 1 teams leaves much to be desired, their prowess on the offensive glass could be a key factor in this matchup. Under the guidance of Coach Scott Drew, who boasts a 20-11 NCAA Tournament record, including a national championship in 2021, Baylor has the potential to stage an upset. However, they have not fared well recently, being the victim of round-one upsets.
Mississippi State is one of 14 SEC teams in the NCAA Tournament. They made the tournament despite going 8-10 in the conference. The Bulldogs have shown their mettle with a robust defense, ranking among the nation’s best in blocking shots and dominating the interior. They don’t just have one dominant shot-blocker but a solid team defense that is hard to crack. Their ability to force turnovers and gain extra possessions could tilt the scales in their favor. However, their struggles with 3-point shooting present a hurdle they must overcome to advance further.
Prediction
I am wary of any team that has such a poor record against other good teams. Baylor beat St. John’s in double overtime but has largely struggled to win against quality opponents. Furthermore, Mississippi State could easily neutralize the Bears’s strength. The Bulldogs have a great interior defense, making getting those offensive rebounds for easy baskets could be difficult. The concern with the Bulldogs is their struggles with shooting. You have to score points to win.
However, when it comes to the NCAA Tournament, defense usually travels well. Even if shots are not falling, teams can still play great defense. This will likely be a low-scoring, grind-it-out rock fight of a game. I like Mississippi State to come out on top and send the Bears to an early tournament exit once again.
