KSR's Roundtable Predictions/Props for Kentucky at Mississippi State

DrewFranklinKSR

As the countdown to tip-off continues here on KentuckySportsRadio.com, it’s now time to call all of the KSR employees over from their KSCubicles to meet in KSConference Room for a roundtable discussion about tonight’s game between Kentucky and Mississippi State. And because team morale is a little low around KSR HQ and all throughout Big Blue Nation, we’ll spice this round of predictions up with a little fun because they’re likely to lean pessimistic.

So for this game, rather than writing up all of our concerns heading into the night, let’s try a new KSProp Sheet to check everyone’s temperature on the matchup and Kentucky’s chances in Starkville.

All of you readers out there, copy and paste this sheet in the comments section with your predictions too. But sorry, we can’t actually pay you out on wins. We live in Kentucky where that’s frowned upon.

Good luck though.

Kentucky vs. Mississippi State | KSProp Sheet

Score Prediction:
Kentucky’s MVP:
Predict UK’s Starting 5:
Antonio Reeves O/U 11.5 pts:
Jacob Toppin O/U 12.5 pts:
Oscar Tshiebwe O/U 12.5 rebs:
Cason Wallace O/U 5.5 ast:
Lance Ware O/U 5.5 mins:
Ugonna Onyenso O/U 0.5 mins:
John Calipari’s Press Conference O/U 7.5 mins:
Exact Time On Game Clock When SEC Network Broadcast Begins:

Drew Franklin

Like many of you, I don’t feel great about tonight. Not even a little bit. Everything we’ve heard suggests Kentucky will be without both Savhir Wheeler and CJ Fredrick tonight, so it’s a thin backcourt without veteran leadership. Even worse, I can’t stop thinking about when John Calipari said on his call-in radio show Monday night, “We might have to go with one guard.”

For those reasons and many more, I worry Kentucky is headed toward yet another loss to a team lower in the SEC standings.

Score Prediction: Mississippi State 72, Kentucky 63
Kentucky’s MVP: Cason Wallace
Predict UK’s Starting 5: Wallace, Reeves, Livingston, Toppin, Tshiebwe
Antonio Reeves O/U 11.5 pts: Over
Jacob Toppin O/U 12.5 pts: Under
Oscar Tshiebwe O/U 12.5 rebs: Over
Cason Wallace O/U 5.5 ast: Over
Lance Ware O/U 5.5 mins: Under
Ugonna Onyenso O/U 0.5 mins: Under
John Calipari’s Press Conference O/U 7.5 mins: Under
Exact Time On Game Clock When SEC Network Broadcast Begins: 17:54

Tyler Thompson

For me, it’s not just that Kentucky could be without CJ Fredrick and/or Sahvir Wheeler. That stinks and could be a huge factor, but what I’m most concerned about right now is Kentucky’s mentality. Outside of that brief second-half run vs. Georgia, the Cats have seemed off since the second half of the Arkansas game. That does not bode well vs. a red-hot Mississippi State team that just beat Arkansas in Fayetteville and is also playing for its NCAA Tournament life. Add in a rowdy crowd at the Hump and a troubling matchup between Oscar Tshiebwe and Tolu Smith and I’m officially worried. Hope the Cats prove me wrong.

Score Prediction: Mississippi State 66, Kentucky 60
Kentucky’s MVP: Antonio Reeves
Predict UK’s Starting 5: Wallace, Reeves, Livingston, Toppin, Tshiebwe
Antonio Reeves O/U 11.5 pts: Over
Jacob Toppin O/U 12.5 pts: Under
Oscar Tshiebwe O/U 12.5 rebs: Over
Cason Wallace O/U 5.5 ast: Under
Lance Ware O/U 5.5 mins: Under
Ugonna Onyenso O/U 0.5 mins: Over (but 0 in the second half)
John Calipari’s Press Conference O/U 7.5 mins: Under
Exact Time On Game Clock When SEC Network Broadcast Begins: 15:43

Nick Roush

I lost so much money betting Kentucky to lose to Tennessee that I had to take a one-month hiatus from college basketball gambling. I could not have been less confident in the Cats, and not only did they cover a big number, they won handily. Kentucky has not returned to those depths of depravity, but Cal’s Cats are close. That’s why they’re going to win tonight, because it’s the last thing we’d expect from this team right now.

Score Prediction: Kentucky 70, Mississippi State 68
Kentucky’s MVP: Jacob Toppin
Predict UK’s Starting 5: Wallace, Reeves, Livingston, Toppin, Tshiebwe
Antonio Reeves O/U 11.5 pts: Over
Jacob Toppin O/U 12.5 pts: Over
Oscar Tshiebwe O/U 12.5 rebs: Over
Cason Wallace O/U 5.5 ast: Under
Lance Ware O/U 5.5 mins: Under
Ugonna Onyenso O/U 0.5 mins: Under
John Calipari’s Press Conference O/U 7.5 mins: Over (the only thing more shocking than a night without Jimmy Dykes on the call)
Exact Time On Game Clock When SEC Network Broadcast Begins: 14:45

Adam Luckett

We thought Kentucky had their backs against the wall on Saturday afternoon against Georgia. That turned out to be not true. It’s now or never for the Wildcats. However, this game is very hard to handicap without knowing the status of CJ Fredrick and Sahvir Wheeler. But Luckett’s Locks is not afraid to take a swing.

Score Prediction: Kentucky 68, Mississippi State 67
Kentucky’s MVP: Cason Wallace
Predict UK’s Starting 5: Wallace, Reeves, Livingston, Toppin, Tshiebwe
Antonio Reeves O/U 11.5 pts: Over
Jacob Toppin O/U 12.5 pts: Over
Oscar Tshiebwe O/U 12.5 rebs: Under
Cason Wallace O/U 5.5 ast: Under
Lance Ware O/U 5.5 mins: Over
Ugonna Onyenso O/U 0.5 mins: Over
John Calipari’s Press Conference O/U 7.5 mins: Under
Exact Time On Game Clock When SEC Network Broadcast Begins: 15:42

Jack Pilgrim

Kentucky has no choice but to win in Starkville. Quad 1 opportunities look great on paper — that’s what John Calipari is hinging his postseason dreams on — but they can also tank your season if losses pile up, as they have for this team all season (1-7 in Quad 1 games). With four left on the year, they’re the only way to salvage the season and build some semblance of a resume when it comes time for Selection Sunday. Stack losses and you’re out. Maybe it’s blind optimism, but the desperation factor has me leaning the road dogs.

Score Prediction: Kentucky 71, Mississippi State 68
Kentucky’s MVP: Oscar Tshiebwe
Predict UK’s Starting 5: Wallace, Reeves, Livingston, Toppin, Tshiebwe
Antonio Reeves O/U 11.5 pts: Over
Jacob Toppin O/U 12.5 pts: Under
Oscar Tshiebwe O/U 12.5 rebs: Over
Cason Wallace O/U 5.5 ast: Over
Lance Ware O/U 5.5 mins: Under
Ugonna Onyenso O/U 0.5 mins: Over
John Calipari’s Press Conference O/U 7.5 mins: Under
Exact Time On Game Clock When SEC Network Broadcast Begins: 17:44