Mississippi State vs Texas Prediction 1/3/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Moody Coliseum. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Texas Longhorns prediction.

Mississippi State Bulldogs Recap

The Mississippi State Bulldogs come into this game looking to add on to their 94-56 win over Alabama State last time out to improve to 8-5 on the year. After this game, Mississippi State will head home for a game against Oklahoma.

Bulldogs Win 4 In A Row

Josh Hubbard leads Mississippi State in scoring and assists with 21.6 PPG and 3.9 APG along with 2.7 RPG while Jayden Epps has 16.7 PPG with 2 APG and Ja’Borri McGhee has 10.2 PPG with 2.5 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Mississippi State up to this point in the year. Quincy Ballard’s also chipped in 7 PPG and a team-high 6.8 RPG to lead the Bulldogs on the glass. As a team, Mississippi State is averaging 79.5 PPG on 45% shooting from the field, 32.9% from three and 68.2% from the foul line this season.

Texas Longhorns Recap

The Texas Longhorns come into this game looking to add on to their 94-71 win over Maryland Eastern Shore last time out to sit at 9-4 this season. After this game, Texas will head on the road for a game against Tennessee.

Longhorns Win Back-To-Back Games

Matas Vokietaitis leads the Longhorns in scoring with 15.3 PPG along with 6.5 RPG while Dailyn Swain has 15.1 PPG with 6.5 RPG and a team-high 3.3 APG to lead the Longhorns in assists. Tramon Mark has 10.4 PPG with 3 RPG and 2.4 APG and Jordan Pope has 12.7 PPG with 2 RPG and 2.9 APG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Texas up to this point in the year. Lassina Traore also has a team-high 7 RPG to lead the Longhorns in rebounding so far this season. As a team, Texas is averaging 86.7 PPG on 49.5% shooting from the field, 34.7% from three and 71.6% from the foul line so far this season.

Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Texas Longhorns Betting Trends: January 3, 2026

Why the Texas Longhorns will win

• Texas has won 24 of its last 25 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Mississippi State has lost three of its last four games against Conference opponents.
• Texas has won the first half in each of its last 17 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Mississippi State Bulldogs will win

• Mississippi State has won each of its last four games.
• Texas has lost four of its last five home games against Conference opponents.
• Texas has lost the first half in five of its last six home games against Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Thirty-five of Mississippi State’s last 39 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 151 or fewer points.
• Six of Texas’ last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 157+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Texas ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (28.8).
• Texas ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (20.8).
• Mississippi State ranks 40th among Division 1 teams for rebounds per game this season (40.6).

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Texas Longhorns Prediction

I’m on Mississippi State and the points here. I just wonder what to make of the long layoff for Texas after not having played since before Christmas, and I think that rust could be a bit of an issue in this game. The Longhorns are also not a team I’m all that high on this season and I think Mississippi State scraps out a cover here. Give me the Bulldogs in this one.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Mississippi State +9.5