Vols Aim to Rebound Against Struggling Mississippi State
Image: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
Tennessee hits the road Wednesday night looking to steady itself after a narrow 74-71 loss to Kentucky, traveling to Starkville to face a Mississippi State team that has dropped two straight and sits at 11-12 (3-7 SEC). The Vols enter at 16-7 (6-4 SEC) and still firmly in the upper half of the league, but consistency away from home remains the next obstacle.
Point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie will be at the center of that challenge. The senior is coming off his worst shooting performance since Jan. 13, hitting just 33 percent from the field in Lexington.
Tennessee will need him sharper tonight, especially given the matchup on the other side. Mississippi State junior Josh Hubbard is the heartbeat of the Bulldogs’ offense, averaging 20.6 points per game, fourth in the SEC, and capable of taking over stretches by himself.
Freshman Nate Ament, meanwhile, is coming off the best night of his young career. The 6-foot-10 forward erupted for 29 points against Kentucky on 10-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-6 from deep, earning his fifth SEC Freshman of the Week honor.
The Vols also get a boost with senior guard Amaree Abram officially off the injury report after missing the last two games with the flu. His return adds depth and defensive versatility for a team like Tennessee who is considerably foul heavy with 18.4 fouls committed a game.
Expect a barrage of threes from both sides. Hubbard and Gillespie are the SEC’s top two shooters from beyond the arc, averaging 8.2 and 8.1 attempts per game. Whichever point guard finds rhythm first could lead to an insurmountable deficit.
Tennessee enters as a 7.5‑point favorite, with tipoff set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
