MBB Preview: Arkansas Hosts Mississippi State

Who: Arkansas Razorbacks (16-8. 4-47 SEC) vs Mississippi State Bulldogs (15-9, 6-5 SEC)
What: Razorbacks return to Bud Walton Arena; play 3 of their next 4 at home
When: Saturday – Feb. 15 – Noon
Where: Fayetteville, Ark. – Bud Walton Arena / Nolan Richardson Court
How (to follow):
– TV: SEC Network (Dave Neal and Debbie Antonelli)
^ CLICK HERE to Watch ESPN/SEC Network Online
– Radio: Learfield IMG College Razorback Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
^ Listen to Razorback Sports Network Online: CLICK HERE
– Sirius/XM: XM Channel 386, Streaming Online on channel 976
– Live Stats: www.Arkansas.Statbroadcast.com

– Arkansas Game Notes: CLICK HERE
– Mississippi State Game Notes: CLICK HERE
– Fan Game Day Information: CLICK HERE

Versus Mississippi State

• This will be the 64th all-time meeting between Arkansas and Mississippi State and the second this season. The Razorbacks own a 33-30 advantage in the series, including a 28-26 since Arkansas joined the SEC in 1991-92.
• The series has been dominated by the home team as Arkansas is 21-7 versus the Bulldogs in Fayetteville and, with a 77-70 win in Starkville last month, Mississippi State is 22-7 when hosting Arkansas.
• Mississippi State has won five straight (snapping a 5-game win streak by the Razorbacks).

LAST MONTH IN STARKVILLE:

• JAN. 22, 2020 — Mason Jones and Jimmy Whitt Jr., each scored 20 points, but Mississippi State took advantage of its 31 free throw attempts to claim a 77-70 victory at Humphrey Coliseum.
• Arkansas made eight more field goals than MSU (30-22), out-scored the taller Bulldogs 46-24 in the paint and out-shot its opponent 47.8% to 38.6% but it was not enough to overcome the free throw difference. The Bulldogs were 27-of-31 at the free throw line, compared to the Razorbacks’ 6-of-11.
• Arkansas, down four at halftime, hung tough in the second half, keeping it a single-digit deficit most of the period. The Bulldogs pushed their advantage to 11 three times inside the final four minutes, but Razorbacks used a 6-0 run to get to within five, 67-62, with 1:12 left in the game. From that point, the Bulldogs were 10-of-10 at the free throw line to keep Arkansas at bay and seal the win.
• Reggie Perry led Mississippi State with 26 points and 13 rebounds. He was 14-of-15 at the free throw line. Nick Weatherspoon added 11 points (6-of-7 at the line) with six rebounds and six assists.
• Jones, who sat the final eight minutes of the first half with foul trouble, scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half. Whitt scored 16 of his 20 in the second stanza. Jones and Isaiah Joe led the Hogs with seven rebounds.

Turnover Margin Leader

• Arkansas ranks 9th in the NCAA and leads the SEC in turnover margin at +4.6.
  ^ The next closest in the SEC is South Carolina at +2.0.
  ^ Arkansas is forcing an SEC-best 16.9 turnovers per game.
  ^ Arkansas is the only team in the SEC to force over 400 turnovers (405).
  ^ Arkansas ranks 2nd in the SEC in fewest turnovers (12.0).
  ^ Arkansas has committed 289 turnovers, three less than SEC leader Florida (286; 11.9 avg).
• IN SEC PLAY, Arkansas leads the league in turnover margin at +4.8.
  ^ The next closest in the SEC is Ole Miss at +1.7.
  ^ Arkansas is forcing an SEC-best 15.1 turnovers per game.
  ^ Arkansas has an SEC-low 10.5 turnovers per game.
  ^ Arkansas has committed 115. The next closest is LSU with 129.

For more information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on Twitter.