TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Mississippi State forward Tolu Smith has been one of the leading big men in the SEC for over three years.
He’s having perhaps his best season yet, averaging 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game — both leading the team.
As a team, the Bulldogs (12-7, 1-6 SEC) really struggled on offense in 2022-23. The state of Mississippi ranks 168th in the country for offensive efficiency, according to KenPom.
In fact, Smith is the only Bulldog averaging double-digit points. He is also the only player in the Mississippi State rotation to shoot over 45% from the field.
Smith is realistically the only scoring option for a Bulldogs team that has lost seven of its last eight contests.
In the first clash between Alabama and Mississippi State of the season on Dec. 28, the Crimson Tide knocked Smith out completely, giving up just five points and six rebounds to Western Kentucky’s transfer. He only went 1-to-7 off the field. A 52.7 percent free-throw shooter this season, Smith made just three of 15 attempts from the charity streak.
And because of that, Alabama left Starkville with an 11-point win to start the SEC game. Still undefeated in conference play, the Crimson Tide (17-2, 7-0 SEC) is looking to put the brakes on Smith again at the Coleman Coliseum.
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“I don’t think that had anything to do with us,” head coach Nate Oats said. “I just think he missed a lot of free throws. I don’t think we can count on him playing 3v15 again. […] That really wasn’t the game plan. That was us screwing up the defense. […] It looks like a brilliant coaching move – keep fouling the guy who can’t take a free throw and they get no points, but it really wasn’t. That wasn’t the plan. We tried not to let him touch the ball – he just kept getting it. We should guard him without fouling – didn’t do a good job there. We have to be a lot better than the last time we played them. I don’t expect they’ll give us possessions for free.”
As a team, the Bulldogs shot 18 to 36 (50%) from the free throw line.
“It’s the first time we’ve played the same team twice,” said Oats. “That’s why we’re trying to improve on last time. I don’t think we can count on them shooting free throws as badly as they do. We need to get better – I didn’t think we were great against them when we first played them.”
Alabama seems to be a much better team than they were on December 28th. The Crimson Tide plays its first home game in 11 days and is now second in the country – its highest ranking since 2002.
Alabama will be looking to extend its winning streak to nine on Wednesday night against Mississippi State. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT on the SEC network.
See also:
How to watch: No. 4 Alabama Basketball vs. Mississippi State
Alabama Basketball #2 in the latest AP Top 25, Coach Poll
Tale of the Tape, #1 Purdue vs. #2 Alabama: All Things CW