Just Another Bulldog Minute: How Far Can Mississippi State Men’s Basketball Go?

Last season was a preview of where MSU Men's Basketball was headed as a program, and this year could be a statement for the future.

Mississippi State is currently projected to be a 9-seed for the NCAA Tournament in the latest ESPN Bracketology projections and will be a difficult out for any team that will advance to the round of 32.

In the 2023 NCAA Tournament, State was one of the last four teams in and battled a physical Pitt team that edged them out in the last seconds of the game 60-59.

It was the same case in the SEC Tournament the same year where the team was able to get an OT victory against Florida 69-68 but then ran into the eventual SEC champions Alabama losing 72-49.

That was the first year under head coach Chris Jans but now that he has had an extra year to lock in formula, the Bulldogs look to prove the naysayer wrong and show the fight that has been instilled into them.

MSU (12-4, SEC 1-2) might not have started the season the way they hoped with back-to-back losses against Georgia Tech and Southern, but there is still a fight in the Dawgs, and it was shown in the victory against now-ranked No. 6 Tennessee.

This year star freshman guard Josh Hubbard alongside other scorers like Trey Fort, has lightened the offensive load that was a struggle in past tournaments because of the ability to stretch the floor this season. 

That alone gives the Bulldogs an advantage because they have one of the best big men in the country with All-SEC center Tolu Smith dominating the paint and getting to the free-throw line to cash in easy points so long as he and the team make them.

Mississippi State will be a surprise to some once conference tournament play begins and don’t be shocked if they produce a major upset in March. 

Mississippi State Men’s Basketball falls to No. 8 Kentucky