Three Keys To A Successful Week For Mississippi State Men's Basketball

The Bulldogs are 13-5 and 2-3 in SEC play, what will be key for MSU during another tough week?

Mississippi State has an important week ahead of them as they go to Florida and come back home to face Auburn. MSU got back on track Saturday with a 68-55 win over Vanderbilt after a two-game losing skid. 

The Bulldog defense will be tested as the Gators and the Tigers both rank in the top four in points per game among SEC teams. Many factors will lead to a 2-0 week for the Bulldogs. Here are the three that stand out 

Consistent Guard Play

MSU relies heavily on big man Tolu Smith on offense, and Smith has responded by averaging 20 points a game in conference play. However, if the Bulldogs want to avoid becoming one-dimensional like they were at times last year, the guards have got to produce more. 

Josh Hubbard has been the most consistent scoring threat for MSU outside of Smith, as Hubbard scored 25 points in the Bulldog's big win over Tennessee. With Hubbard being a true freshman, he can not be the only guard relied on, especially with the veteran presence of Shakeel Moore and Dashawn Davis. 

Moore and Davis are averaging a combined 11 points in SEC play, and the duo averaged nearly 20 in conference play last year. The pair provide excellent defense but must produce more on offense this week, especially as they face two high-scoring offenses. 

Trey Fort has begun to play better after a cold stretch early in the season, and he could be the missing offensive piece the Bulldogs need. 

Free Throw Shooting

The Bulldogs are shooting 61 percent from the line in SEC play and 70 percent overall, which is good for 12th in the SEC. Their inefficiency at the free-throw line has already hampered MSU. In the Bulldogs' 82-74 loss to Alabama, MSU finished 15-27 from the line. 

While it is not fair to blame the game solely on free throw shooting, it is fair to say it was a significant contributor. The Bulldogs have and will need to play a physical brand of basketball this week against two tough opponents, but physical play leads to free-throw attempts, so MSU must cash in when at the line. 

Points will be in high command for the Bulldogs this week, so MSU must take easy points when they present themselves. 

More Depth

Depth is another need for the Bulldogs due to their physical brand of basketball. MSU wants to play ferocious on-ball defense and occasionally mix in some full-court pressure with that the Bulldogs will be prone to committing fouls. 

Fouls are not an issue but are a part of the game, but when MSU gets in foul trouble, particularly at the forward position, the lack of depth becomes a problem. Cam Matthews is an excellent defender but often gets in foul trouble, which leads to the Bulldogs' lacking in size. 

Keyshawn Murphy could answer those questions for MSU. Murphy has missed the past few games for personal reasons, but on Saturday, Murphy was back on the bench for MSU in street clothes, but a return for the 6-10 forward could be near. 

How to Watch: Mississippi State Men’s Basketball At Florida