Vanderbilt and Mississippi State to Clash in regular Season Finale

Mississippi State and Vanderbilt are set to clash in Nashville on Saturday Night to close out the regular season. The matchup could have postseason implications for both teams.

COMMODORE NATION – Get to Memorial on Saturday‼️#AnchorDown https://t.co/FAmUSlTHFd

— Vanderbilt Men's Basketball (@VandyMBB) March 3, 2023

Implications

Vanderbilt is coming off of a shocking last second win against Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Wednesday. The win improved the Commodores to 17-13 on the season, and 10-7 in conference play. The commodores come into Saturday 5th in the SEC, and are seeking their third straight win.

Mississippi state is also looking for their third straight win. The Bulldogs got a huge win at home against #25 Texas A&M last Saturday. They come into the matchup at 20-10 on the season, and 8-9 in conference play, 8th in the SEC.

The Bulldogs are looking to finish .500 in conference play, while Vanderbilt is looking for their 11th win and hoping to keep a Top-5 seed for the SEC Tournament, which begins on March 8. An 11th win would be the most for the Commodores since they won 11 in 2016-17.

Jordan Wright. CLUTCH. ⚓️@VandyMBB pic.twitter.com/MkPzYRBf79

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 2, 2023

Vanderbilt Graduate Night

Saturday is Graduate Night in Nashville. The Commodores will honor Jordan Wright, Liam Robbins, and Emmanuel Ansong prior to the game at Memorial Gymnasium. Robbins is out for the remainder of the season, as he is recovering from a leg injury. The seniors will look to end their home careers with their 12th win of the season at Memorial Gymnasium, the most since winning 14 during the 2015-16 season.

⚓️ Looking forward to honoring these three at Graduate Night tomorrow.

✅ Jordan Wright
✅ Liam Robbins
✅ Emmanuel Ansong#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/gfp76olI0J

— Vanderbilt Men's Basketball (@VandyMBB) March 3, 2023

The Outlook

Mississippi State is coming off a win against South Carolina on Wednesday. The Bulldogs also have victories over Arkansas, Texas A&M, Missouri, and No. 11 TCU this season. A win against Vanderbilt could help their seeding for the conference tournament.

Vanderbilt has victories over #23 Kentucky, #6 Tennessee, Arkansas, and two wins over Florida this season. These wins have helped the Commodores to head into the final game of the regular season a top 5 team in the SEC.

The matchup has postseason implications for both teams, setting up what should be an exciting night of basketball in Nashville.