STARKVILLE — The road is where Mississippi State has played some of its best basketball of the 2024-25 season. 

That’s where the Bulldogs will be this weekend.

The No. 23 Bulldogs, after topping No. 7 Texas A&M on Tuesday, are playing at Oklahoma (16-10, 3-10 SEC) on Saturday (noon, SEC Network).

MSU (19-7, 7-6) is 10-3 away from Humphrey Coliseum, including 6-2 in true road games.

“It’s been critical for us to win away from home,” coach Chris Jans said. “We’ve had some great wins away from The Hump. Any coach would tell you, it’s probably the truest sign of who you are as a basketball team, in terms of your mental toughness and your character, to be able to do it away from the friendly confines when you have a little more distractions than you normally do.”

Here’s what to know about the matchup.

Oklahoma was 13-0 but Sooners struggled in SEC play

The Sooners had a great start to the season, going 13-0 in nonconference play. That included a 3-0 mark in Quad 1 games against Arizona, Michigan and Louisville. Wins have been difficult to find in the SEC. 

They enter Saturday on a five-game losing streak with losses to Auburn, Tennessee, Missouri, LSU and Florida. Four of those losses are by at least 18 points. Oklahoma’s only conference wins are against Arkansas, Vanderbilt and South Carolina.

“You wouldn’t know it on film,” Jans said. “They’re competing at a high level. They’ve lost some really tough, close games.”

There are two areas of weakness for Oklahoma: rebounding and rim defense. 

Oklahoma is last in the SEC in rebounds per game at 32.4 and offensive rebounds per game at 8.8. It’s also last in the conference with 2.5 blocks per game.

Oklahoma could have edge if Mississippi State gets in foul trouble

One strength of Oklahoma is at the free throw line. The Sooners shoot 79.4% from the line, the best in the SEC and ninth nationally. 

Forward Jalon Moore and guard Jeremiah Fears are third and fourth respectively in the SEC in free throws made per game, and they both shoot over 80% from the line. 

Mississippi State shoots 68.5% from the free throw line, second worst in the SEC. It commits 16.8 fouls per game, tied for the 10th most in the conference. 

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Mississippi State on pace for program record on defense

MSU is allowing its most points per game in Jans’ three seasons but has 248 steals, the most in program history through 26 games. It had 17 steals against Texas A&M, the most in an SEC game in program history.

The Bulldogs average 9.5 steals per game, second in the conference and 14th nationally. Forward Cameron Matthews is tied for fifth nationally and first in the SEC with 2.6 steals per game. He had six against Texas A&M while Josh Hubbard had a career-high four steals. 

“I thought it was one of his most complete games that he’s played since he’s been here,” Jans said of Hubbard, who also scored 25 points on 6-of-10 shooting.

Mississippi State vs Oklahoma odds

BetMGM has not yet posted betting lines for this game.

Mississippi State vs Oklahoma injury updates

Mississippi State guard Kanye Clary is out for the season. There are no other reported injuries for this game.

How to watch Mississippi State vs Oklahoma: Time, TV channel, live stream

Mississippi State vs Oklahoma will air on SEC Network. Tipoff is scheduled for noon. Streaming is available via ESPN+.

Mississippi State vs Oklahoma predictions, picks

Mississippi State 74, Oklahoma 66: These are two teams heading in different directions. And with MSU playing well on the road, it should be able to take care of business.

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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