STARKVILLE — Mississippi State hit a new low Saturday.
Getting torched by the highest-scoring trio in the Southeastern Conference against LSU is one thing. Being run off your own court by the SEC’s worst team is another.
All too often, MSU was disoriented and lethargic, and maybe a little embarrassed, in its 72-51 loss at Humphrey Coliseum to cellar dweller Vanderbilt.
“Our guys are very dejected and disappointed right now, obviously,” MSU coach Ben Howland said.
The Bulldogs were helpless to stop the 3-pointer, allowing Vanderbilt to sink 13 Saturday, 10 of which came in the first half. Despite shooting 65 percent from the field at one point about 10 minutes into the first half (and somehow still managing to be down 11 points), the Bulldogs’ offense went lifeless for the remainder of the contest. You can thank 17 turnovers and a 32 percent second-half shooting percentage for that. This coming against a defense that is 196th in defensive efficiency according to KenPom.com.
“We’ll (talk to the players) tomorrow,” Howland said. “Tomorrow we’ll lift and meet, we have to really come back together here and so some resolve and bounce back from this difficult week we just experienced.”
With the obvious caveat that no more than 1,000 fans are allowed into the Hump because of COVID-19 safety protocols, the only audible sounds from the stadium’s seats was NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen’s squeals of delight coming five rows from the court after watching his son, Scotty Pippen Jr., slice through the Bulldogs’ defense. Pippen Jr. was the brightest star of the day, scoring 18 points and nearly reaching a double-double with nine assists. The Vanderbilt star scored 16 of his points in the first half, but flourished in the passing game distributing six assists in the second half to wide open teammates after MSU opted to double-team him in the final 20 minutes.
“He was really good today,” Howland said. “He really gave them confidence as a team. We really started to double him in the second half and he went right around the double.”
It was obvious enough to anyone watching Vanderbilt’s dismantling of the Bulldogs, but MSU (11-11, 5-8 SEC) will not be getting its name called on Selection Sunday barring an unexpected SEC tournament run. After an encouraging 4-2 start to SEC play, a 1-6 record in conference play since has hinted the Bulldogs are closer to the team picked to finish 12th in the league in the preseason poll than the upstart, very young team that gave fans a glimmer of hope in December.
“I was telling (the guys) we have to keep pushing and we have to start to believe,” MSU sophomore point guard Iverson Molinar said. “We have to stay positive and I’m trying to stay positive myself and not let my inner emotions affect my teammates.”
Molinar was the only MSU player in double figures, as the sophomore contributed 19 points on a 9 of 13 shooting effort. D.J. Stewart and Deivion Smith both had nine points apiece but were a combined 7-of-21 from the field.
Vanderbilt (6-10, 2-8) closed the first half on a 17-0 run before Smith hit a shot at the buzzer, taking a 45-30 advantage into the break.
“There’s no question we struggled to score today,” Howland said. “I thought they’re doubling of the ball was an issue for us and we did not handle that well during that 17-0 run.”
MSU is back in action at 8 p.m. Tuesday against Auburn in a road matchup.
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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