What should be an exciting week of Mississippi State athletics starts to hit its stride tomorrow night when the men's basketball team hits the road for the first of two road match ups this week. The weekend sees the baseball team open its season against Washington State, and the softball team plays their first home games of the year. Sandwiched in between these is what should be an emotional night at the Humphrey Coliseum as Pat Summitt and the Tennessee Lady Vols come to town.
Let's take a deeper look...
The men's basketball team will travel to Baton Rouge to play the LSU Tigers Tuesday night in an 8 pm tip which can be seen on ESPNU. The Bulldogs will work to rebound off of a dreadful performance against the Georgia Bulldogs. While the statistics favor Mississippi State, winning on the road has been difficult in the SEC. In fact, SEC wins have not come easy for the Bulldogs, whose average margin of victory in the conference has been 4.5 points. LSU (14-10, 4-6) come into the game following a 76-61 loss at Vanderbilt and a 67-58 at home against the Crimson Tide last week.
Over in Birmingham, Coach Vann Stuedeman will be going through a bit of a homecoming as she leads her softball team against the Samford Bulldogs. This Mississippi State squad is off to a 4-0 start, a record for a new coach for the program. First pitch is slated for 6 pm Tuesday in Birmingham.
Thursday will be an emotional night as legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt makes what could be her last appearance on the sidelines in Starkville. If you have never been to a women's game, make plans to attend this one and see a legend. The tip is scheduled for 8 pm.
Bulldog fans can expect an exciting weekend as the baseball team opens its season with a three game home stand against the Washington State Cougars. The last time the Diamond Dawgs were on the field, they fell to Florida in game 3 of a super regional. It will be fun to see if this squad can match last year's. Friday's game starts at 5, Saturday play begins at 2:30, and the weekend concludes with a 1:30 start Sunday.
At the same time, the softball team will make their home debut in the Bulldog Round Robin Tournament. Mississippi State opens play against SIU-Edwardsville Friday at 5, and they play a double header versus Mississippi Valley State and SIU-Edwardsville Saturday starting at 3. Their weekend concludes with a match up against the Devilettes Sunday at 1.
While the diamond teams are competing at home, the Bulldog basketball squad will be in Auburn (13-12, 3-8) to face the Tigers. Auburn lost both games last week, a 68-50 decision at home to Alabama and a 61-54 loss at Ole Miss. Tip is set for 7 and can be seen on FSN.
Women's tennis will also be in town as the Lady Netters face UL-Monroe at home Thursday and Stephen F. Austin Sunday. The women's golf team also wraps up action in the UCF Challenge in Orlando Tuesday.