Arkansas basketball closes out the regular season with a home game against Mississippi State on Saturday (11 a.m., SEC Network), hoping to solidify its March Madness credentials.
The Razorbacks (18-12, 7-10 SEC) currently sit on the right side of the bubble according to ESPN and CBS Sports, but there’s always potential for bids to be stolen in the upcoming conference tournaments.
Arkansas is coming off a 90-77 win at Vanderbilt on Tuesday. That same night, Mississippi State fell at home to Texas, 87-82 in overtime.
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Here is a scouting report and prediction for the Razorbacks’ home finale against the Bulldogs.
Can Arkansas basketball capitalize on Mississippi State’s 3-point defense?
The Bulldogs allow 9.4 3-pointers per game, which ranks dead last in the league. Arkansas only averages 7.1 long-range makes, but the Razorbacks have been able to catch fire in wins against Kentucky and Texas.
Trevon Brazile is the wild card. Arkansas is 2-1 since he replaced the injured Adou Thiero in the starting lineup. He made five 3-pointers in the two wins and zero in the loss.
The Hogs must contain the supporting cast
Josh Hubbard (18.3 ppg) is a walking bucket, but the rest of the Mississippi State roster is inconsistent on offense. Keyshawn Murphy is the only other Bulldog averaging double-figure points on the season.
Limiting Murphy, Riley Kugel and RJ Melendez will be critical. Mississippi State is 6-3 in the SEC when Kugel scores at least 10 points.
Can the Hogs match their urgency from Vanderbilt?
The Razorbacks looked much hungrier in Nashville than they did at South Carolina. The team effort was there as Arkansas won the rebounding battle 42-31 and forced Vanderbilt into 14 turnovers, four more than the Commodores’ average.
That mentality must be matched in the final home game of the season. Arkansas is still on the bubble. Mississippi State is not. It should be evident to all those inside Bud Walton Arena who is the more desperate team.
Prediction
This will be a close game. Mississippi State has been the better team all season, but Arkansas is closing strong. The Hogs will ride a strong game from D.J. Wagner into a home victory that should seal their fate as a NCAA Tournament team. Arkansas 73, Mississippi State 70.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas basketball vs Mississippi State: Scouting report, prediction
