Mississippi State basketball went to Memphis with prime opportunity to earn a resume-boosting win over the #21 Tigers. The Bulldogs didn't just win. They dominated Memphis on their own court, winning 79-66 to get the program's first road win over a ranked team since 2010. The victory gives State another Quad 1 road win in the non-conference, putting them in great shape with regards to their tournament resume with SEC play just around the corner. Here are some thoughts from the win...
The Mississippi State defense was suffocating against another dangerous offense
Memphis came into today's game playing at a high level on offense, averaging 79.5 PPG against a tough schedule and making 42% of their three-point shots. The Bulldog defense held them in check and, at times, completely shut them down. The Tigers had a hard time possessing the ball against State, turning it over 18 times with State forcing 15 steals. The Bulldogs held Memphis to just 36% shooting and just over 29% from three. When you consider the quality of offenses State will face in the SEC, this is another great sign for the Bulldogs.
Riley Kugel and KeShawn Murphy returned to high level play after a few quiet games
Transfer guard Riley Kugel and forward KeShawn Murphy have been key players for State so far this year. Kugel has been a sparkplug off the bench while Murphy has become a dominant force inside. But both were coming off multiple-game cold stretches. They returned to form against Memphis. Kugel led the Bulldogs with 19 points on 8-13 shooting. Murphy took advantage in the paint with 13 points, nine boards, two blocks, and four steals. In a game where starters Michael Nwoko, Claudell Harris, and (by his standards) Josh Hubbard were quiet, getting big performances off the bench from those two was massive.
When the Bulldogs are at their best, they can beat anyone in the country
Mississippi State has faced a pair of ranked teams between Pittsburgh and Memphis, both of whom have shown they can play with almost anyone. The Bulldogs have blown out both of those teams. And going into SEC play, that gives you confidence about their chances against the conference's best. MSU has fantastic offensive depth with a multitude of scorers, are aggressive and physical defensively, and can win in a variety of ways. Yes, they've had some lackluster performances, even in wins. Slow starts have been a problem. But when they come out locked in, they can play with anyone and can beat anyone.