Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Missouri Tigers Picks and Prediction for Saturday January 31 2026
The Mississippi State Bulldogs, sporting an 11-10 record overall and sitting at 3-5 in SEC play, are hitting the road to take on the Missouri Tigers in Columbia. The Tigers aren't too far ahead at 14-7 overall and 4-4 in the conference, so there’s only a single game between them in the SEC standings. With both teams eager to climb higher in the conference standings as the season continues, this matchup could play a big role in shaping their fate down the stretch. Get involved in the action with our free college basketball picks.
Get Free $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
Mississippi State vs. Missouri Game Information
- January 31, 2026
- 3:30pm EST
- Mizzou Arena
- SEC Network
Missouri Form & Recent Results
Missouri heads into this game looking to turn things around after a recent rough patch, having lost three out of their last five matchups and currently riding a one-game losing streak. Their most recent defeat was a lopsided 90-64 setback against Alabama on Tuesday in Tuscaloosa. Despite the loss, T.O. Barrett put in a solid effort, finishing with 13 points and 4 assists, while Shawn Phillips Jr. pulled down 8 rebounds for the Tigers. The team showed some grit on the glass, collecting a total of 44 rebounds during that tough contest.
Mark Mitchell has been the consistent offensive leader for Missouri so far this season, putting up an impressive average of 17.4 points per game. Jayden Stone has been right behind him, contributing a strong 14.9 points each game. Both Stone and Mitchell have also been active on the boards, each averaging 5.5 rebounds per game, making them Missouri’s top rebounders so far. Anthony Robinson II has taken on the main playmaking responsibilities, leading the team with an average of 3.4 assists per game. Defensively, Missouri has struggled a bit recently, allowing opponents to score an average of 80.6 points over their last five games. Even so, they’ve been incredibly tough to beat at home, boasting a nearly flawless 12-1 record and averaging 87.8 points per home game. Looking ahead to Saturday, Missouri will aim for their thirteenth home victory and hope to secure their fifth SEC win as they welcome Mississippi State.
Mississippi State Form & Recent Results
Mississippi State heads into this game riding the momentum of a single victory, but recent weeks have been challenging. The Bulldogs have managed just one win across their last five games, showing some inconsistency as the season progresses. However, they put together a strong showing in their most recent game against LSU in Baton Rouge, coming out on top with an 80-66 win. Josh Hubbard was a standout performer for Mississippi State, putting up 15 points, while Sergej Macura dominated the boards with 10 rebounds. Jaborii McGhee also contributed by leading the team with four assists. The Bulldogs ran an efficient offense in that game, shooting 51 percent from the field and an impressive 48 percent from the three-point line, while also converting 70 percent of their free throw attempts. Mississippi State outmuscled LSU on the glass, pulling down 43 rebounds, and impressively led the scoreboard for nearly the entire contest.
Over the course of the season so far, Josh Hubbard has been the Bulldogs’ go-to scorer, averaging a team-high 20.7 points per game. Jayden Epps has also played a critical role, emerging as their second-best scoring option with an average of 14.8 points per contest. When it comes to rebounding, Quincy Ballard and Achor Achor have been reliable, each grabbing an average of 6.8 rebounds per game. Hubbard is also the Bulldogs' leader in assists, averaging 3.6 per game this season. Even with these strong individual contributions, Mississippi State has struggled defensively in recent games, giving up an average of 81.4 points over their last five matchups. On the road, the Bulldogs have posted a 3-2 record, scoring an average of 80.4 points away from home. As they prepare to travel to Missouri, they'll be aiming to secure their fourth road win of the season and, perhaps more importantly, avoid suffering their sixth conference loss.
Key Stats
- Mississippi State Bulldogs this season: 44% field goal percentage, 40.7 rebounds, 12.4 assists, 4.5 blocks, 6.0 steals per game
- Missouri Tigers this season: 50% field goal percentage, 36.7 rebounds, 14.6 assists, 3.4 blocks, 7.1 steals per game
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- MIZ -7.5; O/U 148.5
Mississippi State vs. Missouri Picks and Prediction
Mississippi State has found some success on the road this season, putting together a solid 3-2 record on the road. However, things haven’t gone quite as smoothly in the SEC, where they've come up short in five of their first eight conference games. Now, they’ll be looking to get back on track when they travel to take on Missouri. The Tigers, for their part, have had an up-and-down start to conference play, winning four and losing four so far. They’ll be especially eager to bounce back in this game after taking a tough loss in Tuscaloosa earlier in the week. Final Score Prediction, Missouri Tigers win but fail to cover the spread, 79-73.
Betting on College Basketball?
- Join Winners and Whiners premium for free and get a free $30 coupon with code FREE30
- Get started and wager on college hoops today with our favorite online sportsbooks
- Claim a CBB betting bonus offer with the best sportsbook promos
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
Joe Duffy
Sean Higgs
Bryan Power
Joseph D'Amico
Ben Burns