Mississippi State vs. Omaha: Highlights, final score, and analysis
By Landon Young
The Mississippi State basketball team was back at the Humphrey Coliseum this Monday night to face off against the Omaha Mavericks. The Bulldogs defeated the Mavericks, 74-54, in another stellar defensive performance.
Here are my early post-game thoughts:
Mississippi State Basketball will lose a game due to dry shooting.
Early on in tonight’s game vs. the Omaha Mavericks, the Mississippi State Bulldogs struggled to find baskets. This team seems to be able to readjust and find ways to score, but there will be opponents who will stop the Bulldogs in the SEC. That said, the defense once again had an amazing performance. The Bulldogs have not allowed any of their seven opponents to score more than 58 points.
Tolu Smith has to be the leading scorer.
You might be saying, “Well, Tolu Smith was the leading scorer for the Bulldogs tonight.” You are correct. Smith finished with 12 points and led the team in scoring. He needs to. He should be. Tolu Smith is a monster in the paint, and the Bulldog guards have to find ways to feed him the ball all game long.
DJ Jefferies might turn into a special ball player.
DJ Jefferies had the second most points from the Mississippi State Bulldogs with 10 points. He’s a bigger presence that can also knock down the three-ball when necessary. I expect Jefferies to see the court early and often this 2022-2023 season. If Jefferies can become a consistent offensive threat, opponents will have to deal with an inside and outside presence in DJ Jefferies.
It’s time to buy in.
Chris Jans has this team ready for every single game. Sure, we have watched some dry spells offensively, but boy do these guys play hard. The one thing that has been missing from Bulldog basketball has been fight and finish, and this 2022-2023 has just that.