COLUMBIA, Mo. – Las Vegas doesn’t expect another Mississippi State romp in today’s rematch with Missouri at Mizzou Arena. Neither does Bulldogs coach Ben Howland. His team dominated the Tigers 72-45 back on Jan. 14. Howland shot down any suggestion that a repeat performance could unfold today.
“That's very naïve to think that we can just take the court and win because we won the first time,” Howland told reporters Friday in Starkville, Miss. “I mean, that's absolutely a fantasy. They’re so much improved. … When you look at them on film now, (Xavier) Pinson, for example, is averaging 21 points a game over the last six games.