The #6 Kentucky Wildcats stomped into Starkville to take on #14 Mississippi State on Saturday. It was a hotly contested affair, with impressive play from several star players in a high-scoring game. Separated by just one point with just two minutes left, there was everything to play for down the stretch. Ultimately, the Wildcats prevailed by a score of 95-90 for a significant road win. Kentucky certainly seems to have a tendency to play in some of the most entertaining games of the season.
It Was A Vintage Performance From Kentucky’s Jaxson Robinson
Jaxson Robinson was simply incredible, scoring 27 points on just 12 shots. Robinson hit 7 triples and could seemingly do no wrong on offense. After being in a bit of a cold spell as of late, Robinson left no doubt on Saturday. He credited his teammates with helping him find open looks. Amari Williams noted how proud the team was seeing Robinson fight his way through confidence issues to deliver a clutch performance:
As a team we all know Jax and we all how hard he works, you know, he’s probably the hardest worker on the team, so just being like, in his corner and just making sure that he knows that, and just seeing him today made us all proud.
Despite Mississippi State’s vaunted defense, Kentucky managed to shoot 50% from three-point range, knocking down 16 of their 32 attempts. Several of their makes were wide open, but plenty were also tough shots. In addition to Robinson’s seven makes, Ansley Almonor had 3 long-range shots and Lamont Butler added two of his own. Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans felt that Almonor was the MVP in terms of making timely shots.
Amari Williams was also a huge contributor. Despite 5 turnovers, Williams had 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. The senior center was determined to leave a mark on the game and did so in a big way.
Rebounding Continues to Decide Close Games in the SEC
As is so common the determining factor in these high-profile SEC bouts, the rebounding advantage was significant for Kentucky. Outrebounding State 41-33, Kentucky was the more physical team. Otega Oweh has his season-high with 8 boards to go with his 15 points. Brandon Garrison had two offensive rebounds in just 10 minutes off the bench. Andrew Carr added 6 of his own. Head coach Mark Pope will certainly be pleased by his team’s ability to meet the physical play of Mississippi State.
Kentucky grabbed their usual amount of rebounds (they are averaging 40.9 per game, good for 10th in the country), while Mississippi State delivered under their usual amount of 38.9, which is 35th in the country. Kentucky was outrebounded in their recent loss against Georgia, but it was a team performance on the glass on the night that helped earn the win on the road.
Mississippi State Head Coach Points to Shot Selection as Determining Factor
Mississippi State launched a season-high 40 threes, with the majority of those being in the second half. Jans felt that the shot selection was suboptimal all game long, particularly early, where he felt his team was uncharacteristically selfish and too eager to score themselves instead of moving the ball. State had only three assists at halftime, which is a clear example of what Jans felt was part of the problem offensively.
State ended with 90 points, and all five starters were in double-figures, so it wasn’t as if shot-making was necessarily the problem. It was mostly ill-advised shots throughout the game. Cameron Matthews led the team with 19 points and also delivered a signature moment, posterizing Jaxson Robinson late in the first half
PUT IT ON A POSTER. https://t.co/VDM2YbLebR pic.twitter.com/JnHWbvYbdO
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) January 12, 2025
Where Mark Pope credited Mississippi State as one of the top ten defenses in the country, Jans felt his team was not good enough on rotations, which allowed Kentucky to shoot so well.
Neither team will get much of a respite. Back in action on Tuesday, Kentucky hosts a vaunted Texas A&M squad, while Mississippi State visits #2 Auburn.
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