Mississippi State dominated
Memphis basketball Saturday at FedExForum to the tune of 79-66.
In front of the largest crowd of the season – an announced attendance of 14,565 – the 22nd-ranked Tigers (9-3) were dismantled by the No. 25 Bulldogs (11-1), sending some fans to the exits with more than 10 minutes left in the game.
When Mississippi State led by 20 points at the under-8 media timeout, dozens more members of the home crowd called it a day. When the Bulldogs took a 21-point lead with 3:26 left in the game,
Memphis fans left in droves and Mississippi State fans serenaded them with “Maroon! White!” chants.
Memphis’ big-time backcourt combo of PJ Haggerty and Tyrese Hunter combined for 43 points on 13-of-28 shooting. Everyone else was effectively neutralized by a Mississippi State defense that finished the game with 15 steals, scoring just 23 points (13 of which came in the final 2:36 of the game). The Tigers not named Haggerty nor Hunter were just 6-of-28 from the field (21.4%).
But the Bulldogs’ balanced attack led by Riley Kugel (19 points), Josh Hubbard and KeShawn Murphy (13 apiece), and Olive Branch, Mississippi, native Cameron Matthews (12 points) gave the visitors enough to push past the Tigers.
36 PhotosVIEW FULL GALLERY
Memphis basketball vs Mississippi State: Penny Hardaway, PJ Haggerty, Josh Hubbard photosMemphis Tigers basketball vs Mississippi State Bulldogs on Dec. 21, 2024, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee
The loss is not of the same ilk as the last time Memphis played a game inside FedExForum. But it is now back-to-back home games where the Tigers were handily overmatched. Two weeks ago, Arkansas State came here and bulldozed the Tigers 85-72. Since the Red Wolves came into the game with some lackluster computer metrics, it counts as a Quad 3 loss – a glaring dent on any team’s NCAA tournament resume’.
Mississippi State currently represents a Quad 1 loss, which is not considered as costly. But it does count as a missed opportunity for a Tigers team that came into play Saturday with more Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins (six) than any other team in the country.
Memphis has another Quad 1 opportunity on Dec. 28 (1 p.m., ESPN2), when Ole Miss visits FedExForum. But, barring something unforeseen, the Tigers won’t play another Quad 1 game in the regular season.
The Tigers put on a dreadful display in the first half.
LATEST FROM JASON MUNZ
Sign up for the Memphis Tigers Basketball Insider text group with Jason MunzWhat Tyrese Hunter believes is the biggest thing holding Memphis basketball backMemphis' PJ Haggerty, Tyrese Hunter show up vs. Mississippi State. Why it wasn't enoughMemphis basketball vs Mississippi State final score: Bulldogs batter TigersWhat PJ Haggerty's message to Memphis basketball fans shows about Tigers' mindset
Memphis Tigers basketball
Turnovers piled up high and deep (12 total). Missed field goals were spread out evenly (18 in all). And Mississippi State sprinkled 3-pointers all over (nine, to be exact).
The Bulldogs led by as many as 20 points and carried a 48-32 lead at halftime. It was the most points Memphis has allowed in a half this season. It was the most 3-pointers Memphis has allowed in a half. In fact, Mississippi State’s nine 3-pointers in the first half were more than Memphis has allowed in five other full games. The Bulldogs had only one 3-pointer in the second half.
Haggerty scored 16 first-half points on 4-of-8 shooting. Meanwhile, the rest of the team was just 4-of-18.
Memphis came into Saturday's game ranked third in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (41.9%). But the Tigers finished 8-of-27 against Mississippi State. Memphis is shooting just 26% in its last two games.
