New Orleans enters this November 24 matchup against Mississippi State as a clear underdog, but the Privateers still carry a set of tools that can at least create competitiveness if executed with discipline, urgency, and pace, particularly if they can push the game into a style that forces Mississippi State out of its structured, physical comfort zone and into a more chaotic rhythm where extra possessions and transition opportunities can tilt efficiency in their favor. To succeed on the road in an environment that rewards physical play and penalizes hesitation, New Orleans must begin with a relentless focus on rebounding—both limiting Mississippi State’s second-chance scoring and creating their own extra possessions, which not only help keep them within striking distance but also disrupt the Bulldogs’ ability to control tempo and grind the game into a half-court contest. Their guards must play with poise against pressure, refusing to over-dribble or telegraph passes, because Mississippi State thrives on forcing turnovers that convert into momentum-building runouts and quick interior scores that send the crowd into full voice. The Privateers must instead emphasize ball reversals, spacing discipline, and decisive drives that collapse the defense enough to generate inside-out scoring chances, as their offense becomes far more limited if they settle early in the shot clock for contested jumpers or difficult threes that fuel Mississippi State’s transition engine. Defensively, New Orleans must be prepared to battle physically in the paint, staying vertical, contesting without fouling, and denying deep post catches that allow Mississippi State to dictate possessions with high-percentage looks; they must also rotate sharply to shooters, as Mississippi State’s offense becomes especially dangerous when post touches create open kick-outs.

The Privateers must avoid the foul trouble that often sinks underdogs, as gifting a superior team free trips to the line only accelerates separation. Transition defense demands full commitment—every player must sprint back, communicate through early mismatches, and avoid giving Mississippi State the quick-strike sequences that often define large home-margin victories. New Orleans’ bench must be a source of energy rather than instability, maintaining defensive rebounding intensity and avoiding the scoring droughts that favored teams exploit to break open the game quickly. Emotionally, the Privateers must embrace a mindset of composure and resilience, understanding that Mississippi State will go on runs but that each possession can recalibrate momentum if handled with discipline and clarity. They cannot afford to let the environment or the opponent dictate their pace or shot selection; instead, they must stay committed to attacking selectively in transition, using offensive rebounding to extend possessions, and milking clock when necessary to prevent Mississippi State from turning the game into a track meet. If New Orleans controls turnovers, competes on the glass, maintains defensive structure, and produces enough early offensive rhythm to avoid desperation shooting late, they can remain within range and potentially threaten a spread cover. But if they allow Mississippi State to dominate rebounds, force live-ball turnovers, or disrupt their spacing with early pressure, the path becomes far narrower, and the road challenge may escalate quickly toward a margin that reflects the expectations set before tip-off.