Sat Feb 22 18:20:00 UTC 2025: **Mississippi State Favored to Beat Oklahoma in College Basketball Showdown**

NORMAN, OK – The Mississippi State Bulldogs are favored to defeat the Oklahoma Sooners in a college basketball matchup set for Saturday, February 22nd, at 1 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. Betting analysts are predicting a Mississippi State victory, citing several key factors contributing to their advantage.

Mississippi State holds a 3.5-point spread advantage and a -175 moneyline. Action Network analyst Tanner McGrath is among those picking the Bulldogs to win, specifically recommending a moneyline bet. His prediction is based on the Bulldogs’ anticipated dominance in shot volume and rebounding.

McGrath highlights Oklahoma’s struggles in conference play, including five consecutive losses attributed to poor rebounding and high turnover rates. Conversely, Mississippi State boasts a strong defense, ranking second in the SEC in steal rate (13%), and excels at offensive rebounding, averaging nearly 13 second-chance points per game. The analyst projects Mississippi State to significantly outshoot Oklahoma, potentially taking 20 more shots.

Further bolstering the Bulldogs’ chances is their effective offense against Oklahoma’s weak defensive strategies, particularly against ball screens, cuts, and shots at the rim. McGrath also anticipates improved shooting performance from Mississippi State, building on their recent win against Texas A&M. He points to their strong away record (5-3 ATS) as another reason for confidence, contrasting it with Oklahoma’s poor home performance (6-9 ATS) in conference play.

While Oklahoma’s star freshman guard, Jeremiah Fears, poses a threat, McGrath believes Mississippi State’s defensive prowess will neutralize his impact. The game’s total is set at 149.5 points.

**Disclaimer:** This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute gambling advice. Gambling involves risk. Please gamble responsibly.

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