Mississippi State's Offensive Struggles End Its Season In The NCAA Tournament

55.7 - Both teams empty their benches and it is over for the Bulldogs. 

3:49 - Unless the Bulldogs find a way to hit several 3-pointers, this game seems all but lost. This game has come down to the styles of offense that each team has been playing with. The Spartans move the ball with a modern style of offense with effective ball movement while the Bulldogs will play slow and try to force the ball into the paint. The Bulldogs don't have the offensive firepower outside Hubbard and it is showing. Michigan State 66, Mississippi State 51

7:38 - Media timeout on the floor and desperation has started to take over Mississippi State. Jeffries has not reentered the game after an injury he picked up in the Auburn game and his defense is missed. The pack of paint scoring is also alarming because of how the Bulldogs normally win games. These final minutes will be a long ride for Bulldog faithful but the team has come back from deficits like this before. Michigan 60, Mississippi State 45

9:13 - The Bulldogs are getting out-rebounded, out-hustled, and outplayed. There is a clear difference between the team on the floor with the style of offense that is being played. Michigan State 59, Mississippi State 45

10:49 - The offense on both sides is firing on all cylinders, but the Bulldogs cannot find a way to get a stop. They score then the Spartans respond. both teams have just found ways to score but it is harder for Mississippi State to score than Michigan State. Michigan State 53, Mississippi State 43

12:08 - Hubbard is playing one of his best all-around games on offense and defense but the closest Bulldog in score next to him is Jeffries. Michigan State has three players in double figures and they are having a complete game on offense. Michigan State 49, Mississippi State 39

15:43 - Media timeout on the floor and things are not going the way the Bulldogs would have hoped. Smith and Bell have three fouls and still, until this point in the game, the Bulldogs have not been to the free-throw line. They are not the more physical team and are losing just about every battle on both sides of the ball. Michigan State 41, Mississippi State 29

17:59 - Hubbard gets hit hard after getting his shot blocked. he gets taken out of the game and will miss a bit of time. It will be costly as the defense starts to pick up.

19:06 - Mississippi State is a second-half team but Smith picks up his third foul early and Jimmy Bell Jr. has entered the game. He scores and makes an impact instantly. Michigan State 35, Mississippi State 29

First Half

The Bulldogs need to find their way into the paint because they are not a 3-point shooting team. Smith, Matthews, and Bell have a combined two points. That is not going to get it done at this stage. 

Hubbard is scoring and he might have to drop 30-plus for the Bulldogs to win. He has left his cold streak in the previous games and has hit three 3-pointers so far in the game. He's going to need some help for the Bulldogs to get this win. 

It is only a seven-point game which favors the Bulldogs as they have played from behind for most of the season, so expect some extra intensity in the second half from Mississippi State.

Halftime: Michigan State 31, Mississippi State 24

15.9 - Hubbard is starting the light it up from behind the arch which is a good sign for the Bulldogs. If they can start making their way into the paint to balance out Hubbard's scoring, it could be a positive look for Mississippi State.  

2:05 - Everything the Bulldogs do to win games, the Spartans are doing better. The Bulldogs were never a three-point shooting team but those are the shots that are being put up. Hubbard hits a three to try to cut the lead but they have not been able to get into the paint and get to the free-throw line. Michigan State 29, Mississippi State 21

5:17 - The game is going by quickly and the more time ticks off the clocks, the worse it gets for the Bulldogs. None of the bigs for the Bulldogs have scored in the paint outside of a fastbreak score for Tolu Smith. Smith needs to have an impact on the game for the Bulldogs to get back into the game. Michigan 27, Mississippi State 18

8:30 - Hubbard is starting to get his shot to fall with five straight points. He's going to need to keep the same confidence in his shot. The Bulldogs go on a 7-0 run and cut into the lead. Mississippi State needs to start attacking the paint and play its game. Michigan State 20, Mississippi State 15

10:20 - Media timeout on the floor, and the Bulldogs need to find offense quickly. Matthews is coming back into the game and will have to play with caution because of the early foul trouble. it is a game of runs but the offense on the Michigan State side is moving quickly and effectively compared to the slow and stale movement of the ball for the Bulldogs. Michigan State 20, Mississippi State 8 

13:25 -  A confusing offensive start to the game. Chris Jans calls a timeout and the Bulldogs are struggling on offense. Maybe it is nerves, but it could be another slow start that they have been dealing with for the past number of games. Michigan State 18, Mississippi State 8 

16:09 - Cameron Matthews is already in foul trouble which is not a good sign for the Bulldogs. He picks up two early fouls and will likely sit for the rest of the half. Without his defense and offense, it could become troublesome for the Bulldogs. Michigan State 8, Mississippi State 4

17:55 - Rams Davis gets the Bulldogs the opening basket with a nice cut to the rim. It has been a slow start but Davis is keeping the Bulldogs afloat. Michigan State 5, Mississippi State 4

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Mississippi State Bulldogs open the round of 64 against Michigan State as the NCAA tournament gets underway. 

The Bulldogs are coming off a loss against the SEC Champions the Auburn Tigers but that loss has not dropped the morale of the Bulldogs. They will face the Tom Izzo-led  Spartans team who can never be overlooked in March. It will be a physical contest as both teams thrive on defense and a slower-paced game. 

All-SEC freshman Josh Hubbard led the Bulldogs in scoring for the season; this magnitude of a stage is something that Hubbard can thrive in and show why he is the future of the SEC.