How to watch: No. 18 Alabama at Mississippi State men's basketball

Josh Hubbard has been unstoppable for Mississippi State, and the Bulldogs will need him at his best to challenge No. 18 Alabama Tuesday.

Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Josh Hubbard (12) shoots a three point basket against Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) during the second half at Moody Center. | Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard, unsurprisingly, has been the Bulldogs’ best player this season and has taken his game to another level for SEC play.

In three SEC games, Hubbard has scored 38, 30 and 20 points while Mississippi State has started conference play 2-1. Hubbard’s 20-point outing came against Kentucky, the Bulldogs lone SEC loss.

His 38-point performance came in an overtime win against Texas and matched his career-high for points in a game. The previous time Hubbard scored 38 points in a game was last season’s first game against Alabama the Bulldogs nearly won.

It’s an experience Alabama coach Nate Oats hasn’t forgotten about ahead of the Crimson Tide’s game in Starkville on Tuesday.

“We better have a better plan than last year when he scored 38 on us. He’s a really good player,” Oats said in a Monday press conference. “If you’re guarding him, you can’t fall asleep. The moment you do, he’s sprinting off an off-ball screen or relocating to get the ball back. Last year, especially early in the game, we had too many breakdowns like that.

“He’s also excellent in ball screens. If your big doesn’t get up, he’ll shoot pull-ups. If your big gets too aggressive, he’ll split it or turn the corner. He can shoot off the dribble, off handoffs — he puts a lot of pressure on guards.”

Hubbard’s jump shot, that he’ll take from anywhere on the floor, is the most dangerous part of his game.

“I think it’s the surprise factor. He’s obviously not a lengthy guy, but when he shoots it, he shoots it like he’s a 6-foot-6 guy,” Mississippi State coach Chris Jans said. “From the moment he decides he’s going to shoot until the release, it’s dynamic, fast, and explosive. There’s not much you can do unless you’re really locked in defensively.”

It’s a unique style of play that can throw off defenders, which is why Jans has never tried to tinker with Hubbard’s shooting form.

“Not at all,” Jans said. “I’ve been coaching long enough to know that if someone can make shots - no matter what it looks like or what their routine is - you don’t mess with that.”

Mississippi State will need Hubbard at his best to upset No. 18 Alabama on Tuesday night. Here's everything you need to know about the game.

How to Watch: No. 18 Alabama at Mississippi State

• Who: No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-5, 1-2 SEC) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (10-6, 2-1 SEC)
• When: 8 p.m., Tuesday
• Where: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Miss.
• TV: SEC Network
• Radio: Live Radio
• Stats: Live Stats
• Series History: Alabama leads the all-time series 137-78
• Last Meeting: Alabama 111, Mississippi State 73 (February 25, 2025)
• Last time out, Bulldogs: lost to Kentucky, 92-68
• Last time out, Crimson Tide: lost to Texas, 92-88

Odds, Spread, Totals

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Spread

Alabama: -4.5 (-110)
Mississippi State: +4.5 (-110)

Moneyline

Alabama: -215
Mississippi State: +176

Total

Over: 174.5 (-110)
Under: 174.5 (-110)

Mississippi State Top Performers

• Points: Josh Hubbard, 22.8 ppg
• Rebounds: Achor Achor, 7.1 rpg
• Assists: Josh Hubbard, 61 (3.8 avg.)
• Steals: Shawn Jones Jr., 29 (1.8 avg.)
• Blocks: Quincy Ballard, 20 (1.25 avg.)

Alabama Top Performers

• Points: Labaron Philon Jr., 21.2 ppg
• Rebounds: Amari Allen, 7.4 rpg
• Assists: Labaron Philon Jr., 68 (4.9 avg.)
• Steals: Labaron Philon Jr., 22 (1.8 avg.)
• Blocks: Aiden Sherrell, 36 (2.6 avg.)

Student-Athlete Availability Report

Alabama

Out

• #4 Davion Hannah
• #34 Collins Onyejiaka

Doubtful

• #3 Latrell Wrightsell
• #7 Taylor Bol Bowen

Mississippi State

• All available.