Three Major Takeaways from Mississippi State’s loss against No. 11 Auburn
STARKVILLE, Miss – The Mississippi State Bulldogs have struggled all season on the road as they dropped another game, this time, against No. 11 Auburn.
Many reasons that will be mentioned further down caused the issue for the Bulldogs, but it could be the emotional toll the previous loss against No. 16 Kentucky took on the team. Losing in that fashion after having an incredible comeback in such a short time and it all ending on a game-winning shot will take a lot out of a team.
State came into the game still feeling the effects of the game but eventually found itself again in the second half. However, with how lack of luster the first half was, it was hard to climb out of that hole. Here are some takeaways from the road lost in Auburn.
Turnovers
Free throws might be 1A to the issue behind some of the losses for the Bulldogs this season, but turnover would be 1B. In the first half, they had 10 turnovers but luckily, only six points were scored due to them. These turnovers come from mishandling the ball on drives into the paint and also not strong enough point guard play for State. Star freshman Josh Hubbard is more of a two-guard in a point guard's body so his mind is strictly on finding ways to score.
Dashawn Davis has had some solid games as the point guard the team needs but he can also be turnover-happy with the ball sometimes.
Frigid First Half
The first-half offensive struggles were hard to watch at times. The Bulldogs usually have moments like this in these road losses but those are for three to four plays at a time, not the whole half. They shot 8-29 from the field and 1-10 from behind the arch. Scoring droughts close to five minutes of play also adds to that.
Auburn had a game plan that would have the Bulldogs either try to score on their shot blockers in the paint or force a difficult three. The midrange is one of the areas that Mississippi State normally does not take shots from as they only have 1-2 shot-makers that are willing to take and make types of shots. Due to this only 22 points were put on the board in the opening period.
Who Will Be The Third Option?
The tangent duo of Josh Hubbard and Tolu Smith III have been the focal point of the offense for most of conference play. Smith missed the beginning of the season with a foot injury that kept him out for 12 games. Each has had good to great games with Smith averaging close to a double-double and, Hubbard having nine games of over 20-plus this season. This issue is a consistent third that will come along.
Cameron Matthews looks to be that guy on most nights but, him constantly being in foul trouble can stop opportunities from coming for him and the team. The same can be said with D.J. Jefferies of Shakeel Moore. Both players have had nights where they are the second or third-best players on the team, but it can be very inconsistent at times.
