Vanderbilt Looks to Snap Skid in Starkville Against Mississippi State
After a red-hot start to the season, No. 15 Vanderbilt finds itself at a bit of a crossroads. The Commodores (16-3, 3-3 SEC) head to Starkville on Saturday morning to face Mississippi State (10-9, 2-4 SEC), hoping to halt a three-game slide and rediscover the form that had them looking like one of the SEC’s top contenders.
Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. CT at Humphrey Coliseum, with the early start time adjusted due to expected inclement weather in the area. The game will stream on SEC Network+, and fans can catch the radio broadcast on 102.5 The Game or through the Vanderbilt Athletics app.
A Chance to Reclaim Momentum
This game marks a key moment in Vanderbilt’s season. With a win, the Commodores would match the third-best 20-game start in program history.
Only the 1973-74 squad (19-1) and the 1955-56 team (18-2) have done better through 20 games. A 17-3 start would place this year’s group in elite company, joining six other Vandy teams who hit that mark - including back-to-back-to-back squads in the mid-60s and the strong 2007-08 team.
But to get there, they’ll need to stop the bleeding.
What’s Gone Wrong?
After rattling off 16 straight wins to open the season, Vanderbilt has dropped three in a row - and the issues have been on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, the Commodores are shooting just 42.1% from the field during the skid, well below the 50.3% clip they posted in their victories. The ball movement and shot selection that defined their early-season success haven’t been as sharp, and it’s showing in the numbers.
Defensively, the drop-off has been even more stark. Opponents are shooting a scorching 54.5% from the field and nearly 40% from three over the last three games - a far cry from the 39.6% overall and 27.7% from deep that Vanderbilt allowed in their first 16 wins. Simply put, they’re not getting stops, and teams are capitalizing.
Tyler Nickel Lighting It Up
One bright spot for the Commodores has been the continued rise of Tyler Nickel. The sharpshooter has been one of the most dangerous perimeter threats in the country this season, and the numbers back it up.
Nickel ranks 11th nationally in both total three-pointers made (66) and threes per game (3.5), leading the SEC in both categories. He’s also fifth in the country in three-point percentage, connecting on an eye-popping 46.8% of his attempts. He’s hit three or more triples in 12 games this season - and when he gets hot, he can change the entire complexion of a game.
If Vanderbilt is going to get back on track, Nickel’s shooting will be a key part of the formula.
Series History: Bulldogs Have Had the Edge Lately
While Vanderbilt holds a commanding lead in the all-time series, 81-55, recent history favors Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have taken six of the last eight matchups dating back to 2019, including the last two meetings in Starkville.
The Commodores haven’t won at Humphrey Coliseum since 2021 and are just 24-37 all-time on the road in the series. Saturday offers a chance to flip that script - and get their season back on track in the process.
What’s at Stake
This is more than just a bounce-back opportunity - it’s a gut-check moment for a Vanderbilt team that’s shown flashes of greatness but now needs to prove it can respond to adversity. A win on the road in a tough SEC environment would go a long way in restoring confidence and keeping the Commodores in the thick of the conference race.
Expect a focused, hungry Vanderbilt squad in Starkville. The question is: can they tighten up defensively and get back to the efficient, balanced basketball that made them a top-15 team in the first place?
We’ll find out Saturday morning.