Mississippi State vs. Vanderbilt
Betting Pick: Mississippi State +7 -110 odds (January 21st 2012)

This has turned into a pretty big game for Mississippi St. as it has dropped to 2-2 in the SEC following a loss at Mississippi on Wednesday. It was the second loss in as many SEC road games for the Bulldogs and in order to get back into the conference race, they have to find a way to win on the road. It certainly won’t be easy here as they head to one of the toughest venues in the SEC but they have played Vanderbilt very tough the last two meetings at Memorial Gym.

Vanderbilt is coming off a very impressive win at Alabama on Thursday as it snapped the Crimson Tide’s 10-game home winning streak. This is a quick turnaround for the Commodores however and it will get a test from a similar physical team. After a rough start to the season where Vanderbilt lost three home games, things have turned around as the Commodores have won their last eight games. A winning streak like this may seem tough to go against but it provides excellent value the other way.

Despite having four players in double-figures, the Bulldogs could not get past rival Mississippi. Some of the problems were their own while others were out of their control. The Rebels shot 50 percent from the floor while committing only five turnovers so the efficiency of the offense hurt Mississippi St. But of the Bulldogs 61 shots taken, 29 were from behind the arc and there is no way they can win doing that. Against Vanderbilt, patience will be the key.

The Commodores tend to have size advantages down low most night but that won’t be the case here. Forwards Renardo Sidney and Arnett Moultrie will be all over Vanderbilt center Festus Ezeli who is still slow in coming back from his knee injury and suspension. That makes the perimeter defense paramount as Vanderbilt is shooting a potent 46.1 percent from long range over its last five games. Mississippi St. is an extremely talented team that will keep this one close throughout. 3* (649) Mississippi St. Bulldogs -Matt Fargo (Accuwager.com)

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