Mississippi
Mississippi State basketball vs Alabama: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds
STARKVILLE — KeShawn Murphy missed an open layup that would’ve given Mississippi State basketball the lead versus Alabama with under 20 seconds remaining. That was the last time the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide played each other in January at Humphrey Coliseum. Alabama won 88-84.
No. 23 MSU (19-8, 7-7 SEC) has a chance to draw revenge against No. 4 Alabama (22-5, 11-3) this time on the road at Coleman Coliseum on Tuesday (8 p.m., ESPN2).
Alabama has been a thorn for Mississippi State. Bulldogs coach Chris Jans hasn’t beaten Alabama, which has seven consecutive games in the series. MSU hasn’t won in Tuscaloosa since 2016, including a 32-point loss last season.
Here’s what to know about the matchup.
What’s changed with Alabama
Not much is different with Alabama since it last played Mississippi State. It’s 4-2 since then, but the losses are to Auburn and Missouri, both ranked teams.
Alabama beat Kentucky 96-83 at home on Saturday. Its NCAA NET ranking has stayed put at No. 6 ever since it beat MSU.
The strength of Alabama under coach Nate Oats is always its offense, which hasn’t scored below 80 points in 10 consecutive games. The Crimson Tide average 90.8 points per game, No. 1 in the country. It has reached 100 points seven times this season, all in regulation.
Alabama is also leading the country with 43.8 rebounds per game and a 74.9 adjusted tempo, an estimate of how many possessions a team will have per 40 minutes of game time, according to KenPom.
Guard Mark Sears is second in the SEC with 18.9 points per game. Guard Chris Youngblood torched the Bulldogs the last time they played with seven 3-pointers and 23 points. Alabama shot 15-for-31 from 3-point distance in the game.
Mississippi State has played well on the road until Saturday’s Oklahoma loss
Mississippi State dropped to 10-3 away from Humphrey Coliseum after Saturday’s 93-87 loss at Oklahoma. Previously, its only two true road losses were to Auburn and Tennessee.
The Bulldogs led by three points at halftime but allowed 59 points in the second half, the most in Jans’ three seasons.
Mississippi State vs Alabama odds
BetMGM has not yet posted betting lines for this game.
Mississippi State vs Alabama injury updates
Mississippi State guard Kanye Clary is out for the season. Alabama had three players out on Saturday: Latrell Washington Jr., Derrion Reid and Houston Mallette.
How to watch Mississippi State vs Alabama: Time, TV channel, live stream
Mississippi State vs Alabama will air on ESPN2. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Streaming is available via FUBO.
Mississippi State vs Alabama predictions, picks
Alabama 88, Mississippi State 75: The Bulldogs just can’t seem to solve Alabama. It’s hard to see them keeping up offensively, especially after the feeble defensive second half against Oklahoma.
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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Mississippi
Mississippi Highway Patrol deployed to Goodman after viral gun video, leaders explain goals
GOODMAN, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has deployed state troopers to the Town of Goodman indefinitely following a viral video showing people waving guns and mocking the absence of police in the town.
DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell and other department leaders flew into Goodman on Thursday to meet with town officials. Tindell said the video drew the attention of both himself and Gov. Tate Reeves.
“We felt like there needed to be a presence of law enforcement in Goodman to send a message,” Tindell said. “That it’s not a town or any town in Mississippi that we’re going to allow lawlessness to prevail.”
Troopers conducting stops, working alongside sheriff’s office
Since Wednesday, troopers have been stopping drivers in downtown Goodman and in neighborhoods. Tindell said the Mississippi Highway Patrol is working alongside the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office as part of the investigation.
“It’s more regular law enforcement duties at this point,” Tindell said. “You know, we’re looking at individuals in the video to ask who they were and go from there.”
Tindell said MHP deployments to towns across the state are not uncommon, and include safety checkpoints, driver’s license verifications and insurance verifications.
“So that’s not unusual anywhere on any given day,” Tindell said. “We just happen to be in Goodman because they needed additional help at that time.”
Mayor supports presence; some residents question it
Mayor Michael Howard said he supports MHP’s increased presence in the town. However, resident Keni El questioned whether the deployment was necessary.
“It really doesn’t change anything because if the people they’ve seen on the video are who they came for then that’s who they need to be looking for,” El said. “Because in a way, it’s kind of harassing the people for stupidity of some younglings.”
El said leaders should instead focus on providing resources to mentor young people.
“The youth need to be taught the right knowledge, right wisdom, right understanding,” El said. “But I’m not going to be afraid of no child.”
Tindell said he is unsure how long state troopers will remain in Goodman but will stay in contact with town officials until a departure date is determined.
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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball could have its first position player picked in the first round of the MLB draft since 2020.
That’s where star third baseman Ace Reese is ranked ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft. He has two years of eligibility remaining but is not expected back with the Bulldogs because of his high draft ranking.
There are other draft outcomes that can impact MSU’s 2027 roster for coach Brian O’Connor’s second season. The draft begins July 11 (noon, NBC/Peacock) with Rounds 1-4 and continues July 12 with Rounds 5-20.
Here’s a look at where Mississippi State players are ranked for the draft, including high school signees.
MLB draft rankings for Ace Reese, other Mississippi State players
MLB.com’s list of the top 250 prospects has Reese at No. 18. He’s the highest-ranked third baseman. USA Today’s mock draft predicts the Miami Marlins to select Reese with the No. 14 pick, which has a slot value of nearly $5.5 million.
If Reese is picked in the top 10, he’d be Mississippi State’s first top 10 pick since Paul Maholm in 2003.
The only other Mississippi State player in MLB.com’s top 250 is relief pitcher Ben Davis at No. 232. Davis does not have any college eligibility remaining.
That does not mean there won’t be more MSU players drafted. MSU has two starters in particular, catcher Kevin Milewski and outfielder Aidan Teel, who are draft eligible. If they are drafted, they’ll have to decide whether to sign with the pro team or return to Mississippi State. Relief pitcher Maddox Webb is in the same situation.
None of Mississippi State’s incoming transfers are ranked as top 250 draft prospects.
Mississippi State baseball signees rankings for MLB draft
Mississippi State has the No. 6 recruiting class, according to Perfect Game, and there are many players who are draft risks.
Eight of the signees are ranked inside MLB.com’s top 250 with four in the top 100.
Catcher Will Brick is the top signee at No. 46 after reclassifying to the 2026 class. Shortstop Rocco Maniscalco is just behind him at No. 49, followed by pitchers Landon Brown (No. 77) and Denton Lord (No. 80).
Other signees in the top 250 are pitcher Wilson Andersen (No. 111), outfielder Martin Shelar (No. 175), pitcher Jake Carbaugh (No. 203) and shortstop Noah Danza (No. 239).
Last summer, Mississippi State got signees Jack Bauer and Jacob Parker to turn down the MLB draft and play for the Bulldogs. Bauer was ranked as the No. 44 prospect and Parker, who turned into a freshman All-American, was No. 109.
The deadline for draftees to sign contracts with pro teams is July 27 at 4 p.m. CT.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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