Texas clashes with Mississippi State's scoring punch. Can the Horns' fast pace and rebounding control Josh Hubbard's hot hand?
Texas is back in Austin Saturday night, looking to protect home court and keep climbing in the SEC standings as Mississippi State rolls into town for a 6 p.m. CT tip.
The Longhorns enter with momentum and a strong home profile, sitting 7-1 in Austin and playing like a team that wants to turn Moody Center into a problem for the rest of the league.
One of Texas' biggest edges has been on the glass, especially on the offensive end. The Horns rank No. 4 in the SEC in offensive rebounds (11.9 per game), with Lassina Traore leading the charge at 2.3 offensive boards per game. Those extra possessions have fueled a Texas offense that's been humming over the last two weeks.
Mississippi State arrives at 8-5 after blowing the doors off Alabama State 94-56, with star guard Josh Hubbard scoring 22 points. Hubbard has been a walking bucket all season, averaging 21.3 points and 3.8 assists, and he's the kind of scorer who can keep a road team alive even when everything else is messy.
The Bulldogs are 1-0 away from home and have played competitive basketball overall, outscoring opponents by 4.1 points per game while averaging 79.9 points.
This matchup shapes up as a push-and-pull between Texas' offensive efficiency and Mississippi State’s ability to generate points.
The Bulldogs score 8.6 more points per game (79.9) than Texas allows (71.3), so the Horns' defensive discipline will be tested - especially against Hubbard and a Mississippi State attack that can heat up fast.
For Texas, the scoring load has been led by Matas Vokietaitis, who's averaging 15.8 points and 6.8 rebounds. And if the Horns want to stretch the floor, Jordan Pope has been a consistent three-point threat lately, averaging 2.7 made threes over the last 10 games.
Texas is hitting 7.8 threes per game, and while Mississippi State allows 8.1, that small gap could matter if the Horns find early rhythm from deep.
Recent form favors Texas. Over the last 10 games, the Longhorns are 7-3, scoring 89.3 points per game on 51.1 percent shooting - numbers that scream confidence. Mississippi State is 6-4 in its last 10, with a lower shooting mark (45.5 percent) and a tighter scoring margin.
Saturday's game is the first meeting between the teams in conference play this season, and it's a classic SEC litmus test: Texas wants to impose pace, dominate the glass, and turn it into a track meet.
Mississippi State wants Hubbard to control the temperature and make this a grinder that stays close late.
If Texas rebounds like it usually does at home and gets clean looks early, the Horns should be in position to put another SEC win on the board.