Mississippi State basketball's loss to Alabama was a tough one for everyone associated with Bulldog hoops. It was another missed shot at a program-defining victory, and spirits aren't at all high.
But for as painful as that loss was, it's very obvious what Mississippi State has to do - flush the loss and move on.
Mississippi State basketball cannot afford a hangover performance coming off the loss to Alabama
Mississippi State basketball's track record coming off crushing losses hasn't been great lately. Generally speaking, the Bulldogs haven't necessarily allowed one performance to carry over into the next. But when a loss has been particularly tormenting, they've tended to have hangovers.
Earlier this season after the loss to Kentucky, State went to Auburn and played their worst game of the season. I know what you're thinking. It's #1 Auburn. Getting killed by them on the road means nothing.
But the Tigers were without their best player and got up 10-0 before anyone could blink. And even beyond that game, it's not like State had played all that well since the Kentucky loss prior to the battle with Bama. Even in their wins, they didn't look great. It was clear the stink of that loss was hanging over them.
Go back to last season. MSU's buzzer-beater loss to Kentucky began a run of four-straight losses to close the regular season. When you look at other recent agonizing defeats, they're usually followed by another loss.
Emotionally-taxing games will do that, especially when you're talking about college athletes. Unfortunately, the SEC does not care about anyone's feelings.
This is a brutal league, and at every turn you'll meet another talented, hungry squad ready to pounce. That's the case for Mississippi State with #20 Missouri coming to Starkville on Saturday.
After going winless in the SEC last season, the Tigers have made a complete 180. They're 16-4 overall and 5-2 in the SEC. They've beaten Kansas, Ole Miss, and even upset #5 Florida on the road. This is a team that can play with just about anyone and beat just about anyone, including on the road.
If State comes out lackadaisical on Saturday, even in the friendly confines of the Hump, they won't just find themselves in a tight battle. They will lose the game.
Part of being a great team is being able to respond after losses, and State did show they were capable of that earlier in the year when they destroyed Pitt after a head-scratching loss to Butler. But the emotions around that stretch don't come close to matching how things sit after this loss to Bama.
It's not just about responding to a loss. Can you respond when your heart has been ripped out? We'll learn whether or not the Bulldogs can this weekend.