The Mississippi State Bulldogs are poised to make their fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, a feat last achieved from 2001 to 2005. Under the leadership of Chris Jans, entering his fourth season, the team has reached the tournament in each of his first three years, marking a significant milestone for the program.
Despite their success in qualifying for the tournament, the Bulldogs have yet to secure a victory in NCAA play during Jans’ tenure and have not exceeded nine conference wins in any season. This year, the team faces challenges with only two returning veterans: junior guard Josh Hubbard and senior forward Shawn Jones.
Hubbard, who averaged 18.9 points per game last season and made 108 three-pointers, has earned All-SEC honors in both of his previous seasons. His career total of 1,240 points ranks as the fourth-highest in Southeastern Conference history for a player’s freshman and sophomore seasons combined. Jones, the first four-year player in Jans’ era, contributed 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game last season. Known for his defensive skills, Jones played in all 34 games, starting in four, and demonstrated an improved scoring ability late in the season.
This offseason, Mississippi State added key transfers, including senior guard Jayden Epps, who averaged 12.8 points last season. Epps brings a strong offensive presence, having previously averaged 18.9 points per game at Georgetown. His experience in the NCAA Tournament with Illinois adds depth to the backcourt alongside Hubbard.
The Bulldogs also utilized the transfer portal to bring in several new players, including center Quincy Ballard from Wichita State and guard Ja’Borri McGhee from UAB. Ballard led the nation last season with a remarkable 75% field goal percentage. Additional recruits include wing Amier Ali from Arizona State, forward Achor Achor from Kansas State, and forward Brandon Walker from Montana State.
The incoming freshman class is noteworthy, featuring highly-touted players like guard King Grace from Dallas and center Tee Bartlett from Los Angeles. Their contributions will be crucial as the Bulldogs embark on their upcoming schedule.
Mississippi State’s season opener is set for November 5 against North Alabama, followed by a matchup with Iowa State on November 10 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Other key games include contests against SMU on November 28 and Memphis on December 20. The Bulldogs will also face Kentucky on January 10 and Alabama on January 13.
Jans holds a 63-40 record at Mississippi State and boasts a career coaching record of 206-84, giving him a winning percentage of 71%, which ranks sixth nationally among active coaches. As the Bulldogs strive for success, they are looking to break a long-standing drought, having not won an NCAA Tournament game since 2008. Unfortunately, the team will miss junior center Gai Chol for the entire season due to a preseason knee injury, adding to the challenges ahead.
With a mix of returning talent and new additions, the Bulldogs are set to navigate a competitive landscape as they aim for a deep run in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
