TCU vs. Mississippi State: How to watch, odds, predictions from ESPN, KenPom

TCU and Mississippi State are set to square off Saturday as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, and both teams will be looking for a non-conference boost during the middle of league play. TCU enters Saturday’s showdown having won two straight, while Mississippi State has lost its last five games.

How to watch TCU vs. Mississippi State

Tip-off: 4 p.m. ET

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Channel: ESPN2

Vegas odds

TCU is a 2.5-point favorite over Mississippi State on Saturday, according to VegasInsider.

ESPN BPI prediction

Predicted winner: TCU

Predicted point differential: 0.3

Win probability (for Alabama): 51.0%

Matchup quality: 91.0

ESPN’s College Basketball Power Index (BPI) is a tool that measures team strength and uses that to predict outcomes of future performances. ESPN’s BPI has the game ranked as the 2nd highest-rated game on Thursday’s slate in terms of matchup quality.

KenPom prediction

Predicted final score: TCU 64, Mississippi State 63

Win probability (for TCU): 55%

More on TCU vs. Mississippi State

Despite the relatively close game anticipated by the metrics, the current postseason projections for the two teams squaring off Saturday differ dramatically. TCU is currently projected as a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament in the latest bracketology posted by ESPN expert Jerry Lunardi. Mississippi State is not currently in the field.

The Bulldogs have lost five straight games, but only one of those losses way by double-digits. Mississippi State has been in plenty of close games, it has just struggled to win them of late.

TCU, meanwhile, has won three of its last four games with two of those wins coming against highly ranked Kansas and Kansas State squads. The Horned Frogs will be looking to keep the momentum going Saturday by picking up a quality win over an SEC opponent.

The two programs are set for a 4 p.m. ET tip with a broadcast slated for ESPN2.