Mississippi State looks to build momentum vs. Long Island

Mississippi State is running out of chances to get ready for the rigors of SEC play.

But the Bulldogs (5-5) have three consecutive home games, starting with a visit from Long Island to Starkville, Miss., on Tuesday night, to build on momentum after a gutsy 82-74 road victory against Utah on Saturday.

Mississippi State trailed by 17 points late in the first half and rode a 15-0 second-half run to take control.

"Hopefully, this is something (where) you get a big win on the road and it's of the comeback variety, it can bond you a little bit better," Bulldogs head coach Chris Jans said. "We're going to be looking forward to playing at home for sure."

Jans was worried about his team's effort early against Utah, but the comeback ultimately made for an encouraging performance.

"We needed it," Jans said of the win. "Honestly, I feel like I say that too much, but it didn't feel great for the first half and then a lot of the second. It was like, really? This is how we're going to do this? We're not going to leave everything on the floor, and we had some pointed timeouts.

"You can talk all you want until you're blue in the face, but they've got to do it. They've got to play with that enthusiasm and that vigor. They've got to play with that vitality and that togetherness."

LIU (6-4) is embarking on a stretch of three consecutive road games to complete its preparation for the start of Northeast Conference play. After Tuesday's game, the Sharks, who defeated visiting LaSalle 70-60 last Saturday, will visit Florida International on Saturday and No. 25 Georgia on Dec. 29 before beginning conference play Jan. 2 at home against Central Connecticut.

Fourth-year head coach Rod Strickland said his goal for LIU, a unanimous pick to win the NEC, is "to look like a mid-major team."

Two of the Sharks' losses have come against power opponents, Notre Dame and Illinois, and this swing through the South should toughen them more for conference play.

"We're trying to raise the bar," Strickland said.

--Field Level Media