Whatever powers exist over the game of college basketball must take some sort of sick and twisted pleasure in torturing Mississippi State fans. Because once again, Bulldog basketball found itself on the doorstep of a breakthrough win for the program. And once gain, Bulldog basketball suffered an agonizing defeat.
#14 Mississippi State fell at home 88-84 to #4 Alabama. The Bulldogs, behind an all-time performance by guard Josh Hubbard, went toe-to-toe with the potential 1-seed Tide in front of a deafening blackout crowd.
Down one with under 20 seconds to go, forward KeShawn Murphy, in the midst of his own big night, would get a wide open look at the basket to give State the lead. That attempt would rim out. Bama would tack on a pair of free throws, but the Bulldogs still had a chance with 10 seconds remaining.
They'd turn it over trying to get Hubbard a look for a tying three, and that was it. Another opportunity at a season and program-defining win. Another excruciatingly painful loss on their home court.
Josh Hubbard deserves praise for his performance even in defeat
To start with the big positive, Josh Hubbard was simply remarkable. The Bulldog's leading scorer had been in a multi-week slump with six-straight games shooting 33% or worse from the field, going under 30% from three in five of those games. The shots just weren't falling.
That changed against Alabama. Hubbard posted a career-best 38 points on 14-28 shooting including six makes from distance. Everything he's shown he's capable of as a scorer in his career was on display. State needed him to have a chance, and he rose to the occasion in the biggest way possible. It's just a shame that the best games of his career haven't come with victory.
Three point defense costs Mississippi State basketball yet again
It's been an issue all season, and it was an issue against Alabama. Mississippi State, unlike previous Chris Jans teams, has been awful at defending the three, and the Tide took full advantage. Bama went 15-31 from beyond the arc, their second-most makes and their best percentage from three in a game this season.
Most of the damage came from guard Chris Youngblood. A sharpshooter at his previous stops, Youngblood had struggled this season, averaging just 8.5 PPG and shooting 30% from three. Naturally, he went 7-10 from distance against State to put 23 on the board. Why is it that these breakout games always seem to happen against the Bulldogs? The world may never know.
Alabama's second chance points proved critical
Even with the Tide lighting the Hump on fire from three, what ultimately may have won them the game was their offensive rebounding. Alabama grabbed 17 offensive boards and finished with 14 second chance points, six more than the Bulldogs, and those six mattered significantly.
Other opponents had taken advantage of the Tide down low, winning the second chance points battle, and I believed State was a team that could do the same. They gave up too much on the defensive end, however, and it's a big reason they yet again failed to get over the hump.