As the Mississippi State Bulldogs prepare to face off against the Tennessee Volunteers, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an electrifying encounter at Bridgestone Arena. The Bulldogs, fresh off a decisive victory over the LSU Tigers with a score of 70-60 on March 14th, are looking to carry that momentum into their next game.

Jan 17, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Uros Plavsic (33) dunks during the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

In their recent win, MSST showcased a balanced attack and tenacious defense. They managed to sink half of their two-point attempts and converted 29 percent from beyond the arc. Their free throw performance was solid at 67 percent, which could be crucial in close encounters. The Bulldogs' ability to control the boards was evident as they grabbed 36 rebounds and turned over the ball just 12 times.

The defensive prowess of MSST cannot be overstated; with 10 steals in their last game, they've proven capable of disrupting any offense. However, it's worth noting that Tennessee is not an opponent that can be easily rattled. In contrast to MSST's recent performance against LSU where they led by as much as double digits at one point, games against stronger teams like South Carolina have shown that Mississippi State can find themselves in tight spots – such as when they narrowly lost by four points after an intense overtime period on March 9th.

Jan 17, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Olivier Nkamhoua (13) and Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Tolu Smith (1) battle for a rebound during the first half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee will certainly test Mississippi State's resolve. The Volunteers have been formidable this season and will have home-court advantage on their side. However, if MSST can replicate their second-half surge from the LSU game where they scored an impressive 48 points while maintaining strong defense and rebounding efforts, there is every chance for them to emerge victorious.

The key for Mississippi State will be consistency throughout both halves and capitalizing on turnovers which were pivotal in securing past wins – scoring 12 points off turnovers against LSU demonstrates this potential impact.

Jan 17, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Chris Jans reacts during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Looking ahead to March 15th at Bridgestone Arena set for tip-off at noon CT (5:00 PM GMT), fans should expect nothing less than a fierce contest between these two sides. For those unable to attend in person, ESPN will broadcast what promises not only a test of skill but also one of spirit for both teams involved.

Mississippi State supporters should mark their calendars; this is not just another game – it's a chance for the Bulldogs to prove themselves once more against top-tier competition and inch closer towards postseason glory.

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