Arizona State vs Mississippi State Odds, Pick
| Arizona State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 129.5 -115o / -105u | +140 |
| Mississippi State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 129.5 -115o / -105u | -165 |
Editor's Note: Mississippi State's Andrew Taylor (personal) and Shawn Jones Jr. (undisclosed) are available vs. Arizona State, according to Jon Rothstein. Shakeel Moore (suspension) is out.
Dive in below for a college basketball pick and Arizona State vs Mississippi State odds.
The vaunted injury bug already did a number on Mississippi State before the season even began. The Bulldogs will miss All-SEC forward Tolu Smith (last year's leading scorer) and key bench piece KeShawn Murphy for the foreseeable future, putting the Bulldogs' depth on the line right away.
On the other side, Arizona State is still awaiting word on Adam Miller's waiver situation, so he's likely out for this one, barring anything unforeseen.
Arizona State Sun Devils
Bobby Hurley must love Dayton, Ohio. He's made the tournament three times at Arizona State and appeared in the First Four all three times — two wins and one loss.
Sure, that's a step in the right direction for an Arizona State program with little winning history, but you have to make bigger strides eventually.
Arizona State's identity changed last season; it finished 35th nationally in Defensive Efficiency and struggled to score consistently.
Entering this season, it's a little hampered with Alonzo Gaffney — a likely starter — out for the next couple of weeks.
Missing Gaffney is bigger than the numbers indicate. The super-senior has a wingspan sitting around 7-foot-3, with terrific foot speed and the ability to hit a perimeter jumper. He's an important cog for the Sun Devils' defense, and the unit likely takes a step back in this one.
One player to watch in this specific matchup is Shawn Phillips Jr., an athletic 7-footer who could draw fouls on Jimmy Bell Jr. and force the Bulldogs to play a smaller lineup out of necessity. Phillips is a breakout transfer candidate who could capture some national attention after this opening matchup.
The "Guard U" era is a thing of the past for Hurley. The Sun Devils ranked 135th nationally in tempo last season and it hasn't shot the ball consistently for the past two seasons.
That's not to say Arizona State isn't talented at the guard spots, though. Frankie Collins and Jamiya Neal offer a dangerous mix of athleticism and shot-creation prowess. Neal looks the part of a breakout star as opportunity knocks with the losses of the Cambridge brothers.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
With Smith and Murphy missing, the minutes beneficiary is West Virginia transfer Bell, a thickly-built defensive-first big who can score inside but isn't a shooter.
Additionally, Mississippi State gets back three starters — guards Dashawn Davis and Shakeel Moore and versatile forward Cameron "Mook" Matthews. Retaining those three integral pieces is key.
The Bulldogs also shot an unsustainable 26% from 3 last season and still managed to make the NCAA tournament. That's an awful shooting performance that lasted an entire 30+ games, so Chris Jans reached into the portal and grabbed Marshall transfer Andrew Taylor, whose experience in an up-tempo system should make for a seamless transition to a slower-paced offense in desperate need of shooting.
Plus, freshman Josh Hubbard looked promising during the Bulldogs' foreign tour this offseason. He should help fix the Bulldogs' brutal shooting woes.
Arizona State vs. Mississippi State
Betting Pick & Prediction
There isn't a two-possession gap between the two teams with Tolu on the shelf — and with this game being played at a neutral site in Chicago. Mississippi State has to find a different identity without its potential All-American, so I favor the Sun Devils in this matchup.
It'll be low-scoring, with two teams trying to find it's footing without certain players.
Long-term, I don't love the Sun Devils, but they have more depth than Mississippi State and can probably shoot it better.
Pick: Arizona State +4.5
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