Arkansas vs. Mississippi State: Razorbacks Look to Bounce Back in Starkville
After a short breather in their SEC schedule, No. 21 Arkansas is back on the court Saturday morning, and they’ve got something to prove.
The Razorbacks (16-6, 6-3 SEC) hit the road to take on Mississippi State (11-11, 3-6 SEC) at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, with tipoff set for 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2.
And while the Razorbacks come in ranked and riding a strong stretch of play, they’re also looking to shake off the sting of last weekend’s 85-77 loss to Kentucky - a game that not only halted a three-game win streak but also marked their first home loss of the season.
Shorthanded Razorbacks Lean on Depth
Arkansas will be without two key pieces for this one. Forward Karter Knox and guard D.J.
Wagner are both sidelined - Knox with a knee issue, Wagner with an ankle injury. That’s a significant blow to the Razorbacks’ rotation, especially against a scrappy Mississippi State team that can’t be overlooked, regardless of the record.
The good news? Arkansas has the depth to weather it.
Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas will handle the backcourt duties, while Billy Richmond, Trevon Brazile, and Nick Pringle round out the starting five. Brazile’s athleticism and Pringle’s presence in the paint will be especially critical in this one, as the Razorbacks look to control the glass and limit second-chance points.
Bulldogs Lean on Hubbard’s Scoring Punch
Mississippi State may be under .500 in conference play, but they’ve got a legitimate scorer in Josh Hubbard. The junior guard is putting up 20.8 points per game - good for third in the SEC and top-20 nationally. He’s the kind of player who can swing a game if he gets hot, and Arkansas will need to be dialed in defensively to keep him from finding his rhythm early.
The Bulldogs are coming off a tough 84-79 loss at Missouri - their sixth loss in their last seven games - but they’ve shown flashes of what they’re capable of, with conference wins over Texas, Oklahoma, and LSU. They’ll start Hubbard, Shawn Jones, and Ja'Borri McGhee in the backcourt, with Achor Achor and Quincy Ballard anchoring the frontcourt.
What’s at Stake
For Arkansas, this is about more than just getting back in the win column. It’s about staying in the hunt near the top of the SEC standings and continuing to build their NCAA Tournament résumé. With a tough stretch of games ahead, every conference win counts - especially on the road.
Mississippi State, meanwhile, is looking to stop the bleeding and pick up a signature win that could spark a late-season turnaround. They’ve got talent, but consistency has been the issue. If they can get Hubbard going and find some defensive stops, they’ll have a shot to pull the upset.
Bottom Line
This one has all the makings of a classic SEC matinee - a ranked team on the road, a dangerous scorer on the other side, and a pair of squads with something to prove. Arkansas may be the favorite, but they’ll need to bring their A-game to Starkville, especially with a couple of key contributors out. Mississippi State’s record doesn’t tell the whole story, and if the Razorbacks aren’t careful, they could find themselves in another dogfight down the stretch.