Live updates: Mississippi State basketball faces nonconference test in Colorado State
After a loss to Minnesota, Mississippi State men's basketball coach Ben Howland was glad for a pause.
He felt the Bulldogs (6-2) needed to get back to the basics defensively, and he spent most of Wednesday's practice drilling his players on defense.
That will be a key area against Colorado State on Saturday (1 p.m., ESPNU) at the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Fort Worth, Texas. The Rams average 85.3 points per game, the ninth most in the country. They hit 53.6% of their field goals (the best mark) and 43.4% of their 3-pointers (the third-best mark).
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For a team that struggled defensively against the Golden Gophers, allowing a 49.2 field goal percentage, a bounce-back will be needed. It won't be easy, though, against a Colorado State (9-0) opponent that has breezed through its competition, including Creighton and St. Mary's.
Forward David Roddy is Colorado State's leading scorer, averaging 20.6 points. Guard Isaiah Stevens has averaged 14.8 points.
"I think they're probably the most underrated team in the country right now," Howland said. "If we beat Colorado State, that would be a huge win for our resume. That's why we scheduled the game; we knew they would be really good."
Follow along for live updates between Mississippi State and Colorado State.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Live updates, score: Mississippi State basketball faces Colorado State
