Alabama will attempt to win its ninth consecutive game Wednesday night when it hosts Mississippi State in Coleman Coliseum.

The No. 2-ranked Tide (17-2, 7-0 in SEC) are favored by 13 points over the Bulldogs (12-7, 1-6 in SEC). Alabama beat MSU earlier this season in Starkville.

Alabama has won 17 of its first 19 games in a season for the first time since 1976-77.

Check back here for live updates once the game begins.

FIRST HALF

Mississippi State 16, Alabama 9 (11:16): Alabama started to slow down Mississippi State’s offense but it still hit a brick wall in MSU’s defense. The Tide had shots blocked on back-to-back possessions before Dom Welch, who entered 2-of-18 on three-pointers, hit the Tide’s first triple. But Alabama immediately allowed a basket to MSU at the rim, which has been a theme. 14 of the Bulldogs’ 16 points have come in the paint.

Mississippi State 10, Alabama 2 (15:31): One of the worst starts on the season for Alabama, which has allowed MSU to score on five of its past six possessions, with eight of the visitors’ 10 early points coming at the rim. Nate Oats pulled Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley in favor of Rylan Griffen and Jahvon Quinerly before the four-minute mark, likely with defense in mind. Alabama is also having issues on the offensive end, shooting 0-for-3 on threes and turning it over twice on errant passes.

PREGAME

— A clip of Charles Barkley saying, “Alabama’s the best team in the country” last week was played during Alabama’s pregame hype video. The crowd roared.

— It’s not a packed house in Coleman Coliseum like it was for the Tide’s last home game, a Saturday afternoon against LSU. This midweek, late tip has some empty seats but not in the student section, which was filled to the upper corner of the arena more than 30 minutes before tip off.

— No changes to Alabama’s starting lineup in what will be Nimari Burnett’s second game back from his wrist injury. Nate Oats said Burnett is still working back to his full workload, and they will evaluate their starting lineup once that happens. Oats said in his pregame interview that all players might need to cut their minutes to accommodate Burnett, and they are willing to make that sacrifice for the team. Burnett started the first nine games of the season before his injury, but was replaced by freshman Avery Bradley in the starting lineup.

— Nate Oats on pregame CTSN radio interview on being ranked No. 2: “We can’t let the rat poison get to our heads. I think we’ve got a pretty mature group that hasn’t let that happen so far.”

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.