Bulldogs look to bounce back
By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Feb. 23, 2004
Mississippi State University faltered on the basketball court for only the second time this season on Saturday.
The No. 4-ranked Bulldogs fell 77-73 to Alabama at Humphrey Coliseum, and unlike the team's previous home loss, a 67-66 affair against Kentucky on Jan. 13, no one was talking about how the loss could help the team in the long run.
MSU (21-2, 10-2 SEC) revamped its lineup following the January loss to Kentucky, and the squad went on to win eight consecutive games until the loss to the Crimson Tide.
The Bulldogs will look for a similar run as they enter the final two weeks of the regular season, beginning with a 7 p.m. Wednesday home contest against the LSU Tigers (17-6, 7-5 SEC). The game will be televised by Jefferson Pilot.
LSU will enter Humphrey Coliseum on a two-game losing streak. The Tigers fell to Auburn 80-68 at home last Wednesday, and they lost to Vanderbilt 74-54 on the road Saturday.
MSU holds a three-game lead in the SEC Western Division over LSU, and the Bulldogs are one game in front of Kentucky for the top spot in the conference.
The Bulldogs close the week on the road against Vanderbilt (17-6, 6-6 SEC) at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Ole Miss (12-11, 4-8 SEC) will be trying to break a two-game skid this week. The Rebels fell to the Florida Gators 81-66 at home on Saturday after dropping a game to Tennessee 83-65 on Wednesday.
Ole Miss opens the week at home taking on Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The Commodores have won their last two games.
The Rebels wrap up the week traveling to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for an afternoon game against the Crimson Tide (13-10, 5-7 SEC).
Ole Miss is set to tip off against Alabama at 3 p.m. Saturday in game that will be televised by Jefferson Pilot.
The University of Southern Mississippi hits the road for a pair of Conference USA games this week.
The Golden Eagles, who lost to Charlotte 78-72 at home last Saturday, will meet Memphis in a 7 p.m. contest on Tuesday.
USM (12-11, 5-7 C-USA) stunned Memphis (19-4, 10-2 C-USA) 66-63 at home on Jan. 10. Memphis is currently the top team in the Conference, and the Tigers are riding a 10-game winning streak.
The Eagles will follow their game in Memphis with another road contest on Saturday. USM travels to Chicago for a 1 p.m. game against DePaul.
In Southwestern Athletic Conference action around the state, Mississippi Valley State, which has already clinched no less than a tie for the regular-season championship, hosts Prairie View A&M (6-16, 6-7 SWAC) at 7:30 p.m. today.
The Delta Devils 18-6, 12-2 SWAC) close the week with their second showdown with in-state rival Jackson State (10-13, 8-6 SWAC) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on the road.
The Tigers, who are currently in second place in the conference, have no games scheduled until they host Mississippi Valley State.
Alcorn State (8-15, 7-7 SWAC) travels to Alabama A&M (9-13, 7-6 SWAC) for an 8 p.m. contest today, and the Braves close the week at home against Southern 9-14, 6-8 SWAC) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
