Keys to Beat Cincinnati

Mississippi State men's hoops will face off against #25 Cincinnati tonight at 6:00 PM CT. There are a few things you need to know about tonight's game. The game will technically be played at a neutral site. The game will be played at BB&T Arena in Newport, Kentucky due to Cincinnati's basketball stadium being under construction. This could help the Bulldogs with the knowledge of not having to deal with an actual home court advantage.

Knowing the Bulldogs are clearly the underdog going into this game, they're going to have to be at their best. Here are 4 keys to win tonight:

Quinndary Weatherspoon cannot play sloppy.

Q Weatherspoon is Mississippi State's leader this year. He tends to control the tempo of the game. Lately, he hasn't seemed at his best. He is definitely a clutch player, but Mississippi State needs him to play a complete game tonight.

Tyson Carter has to get the hot hand.

Tyson Carter is Mississippi State's leading scorer averaging 14 points per game. Against North Dakota State he dropped 35 points. He will need to produce in similar fashion in order for the Bulldogs to have the upper hand.

Abdul Ado and Aric Holman have to make themselves known in the post.

These are Mississippi State's "Big Men." Ado has turned out to be a key player in the post and Holman has really developed from last year. In tonight's game they will need to be consistent in rebounding and putting up points on the board.

Mississippi State's defense will have to shut down Gary Clark.

Gary Clark is Cincinnati's leader in PPG and RPG. He has 77 rebounds on the year. The Mississippi State defense will need to center their defensive game plan around Clark. Ado and Holman cannot let him control this game from down low.

For the Bulldogs to pull this game out, they're going to have to complete all four of these keys to win tonight's game.