The Mississippi State Bulldogs (21-12, 9-11 SEC) face the Pittsburgh Panthers (22-11, 15-7 ACC) Tuesday at University of Dayton Arena in the NCAA Tournament First Four. Pittsburgh was dismantled by the Duke Blue Devils 96-69 at Greensboro Coliseum on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tourney.
Nike Sibande led the way in defeat with 17 points and seven rebounds. Mississippi State lost in blowout fashion in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference Tourney on Friday at Bridgestone Arena, falling to the Alabama Crimson Tide 72-49. Tolu Smith had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the loss, leading the team.
The Panthers have been led this season by Blake Hinson and Jamarius Burton, who are averaging 15.6 and 14.7 points per game, respectively. Hinson also has grabbed 6.2 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Nelly Cummings is dishing 4.8 assists per game.Smith has supplied much of the Bulldogs’ offense, averaging 15.8 points per game.
Smith also has averaged 8.5 rebounds per game. Dashawn Davis has tallied 3.2 assists per game. The Bulldogs are 11th in defensive efficiency in the NCAA, while the Panthers rank 24th in offensive efficiency.
Pittsburgh is 6-4 in the last 10 games with an average margin of +5.1 (81.3-76.2). For the season, the Panthers are averaging 76.1 points per game, compared to 70.5 for opponents. Mississippi State has also a 6-4 record over the last 10, scoring 66.8 points per game on average while holding opponents to 66.2 (+0.6 margin). The Bulldogs are averaging 65.9 ppg for the full season while allowing 61.0.
PANTHERS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Nike Sibande: 18.4 | 13.6 | +4.8
Points per game:
Nike Sibande: 13.4 | 8.5 | +4.9
Greg Elliott: 7.8 | 10.4 | -2.6
BULLDOGS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Eric Reed Jr.: 2.0 | 6.7 | -4.7
Points per game:
Tolu Smith: 21.0 | 15.8 | +5.2
Cameron Matthews: 4.6 | 7.1 | -2.5
SportsTips’ College Basketball Pick:
Pittsburgh (+115)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our college basketball hub page for all your college basketball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
