Mississippi State faces Auburn in SEC Tournament opener in Nashville
Mississippi State men’s basketball will open its SEC Tournament run Wednesday afternoon against Auburn at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bulldogs, with a 13-8 overall record and a 5-13 SEC mark, are seeking to continue their NCAA Tournament streak, which they have achieved three consecutive times for the first time in program history.
The Bulldogs are led by Josh Hubbard and Jayden Epps, who have combined for an average of 35.8 points per game. This duo is one of four SEC pairs and 11 major conference duos with two players each having over 1,570 career points, according to Mississippi State.
Auburn, with a 16-15 record and a 7-11 SEC record, has lost eight of its last 10 games. Key players for the Tigers include Keyshawn Hall, Tahaad Pettiford, Kevin Overton, and KeShawn Murphy, all of whom average double figures in points. Hall, an All-SEC Third-Team selection, has scored in double figures in 12 straight games.
Mississippi State previously defeated Auburn 91-85 during the regular season, thanks to a program SEC single-game record 46 points by Hubbard. Auburn currently leads the all-time series with an 84-72 record.
The game is scheduled for approximately 2 p.m. Central Time and will be broadcast on the SEC Network. Live stats are available via Stat Broadcast.
Mississippi State is coached by Chris Jans, in his fourth season at the helm. Jans has led the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournament appearances in a row, a feat only achieved by a few programs in recent history. The team features returning standouts like Hubbard, Jones Jr., and Warren, who have contributed significantly this season.
Hubbard, a three-time All-SEC selection, ranks fourth on State’s all-time scoring list with 1,925 points. He also set a program SEC single-game record with 46 points against Auburn earlier this season. Hubbard is known for his three-point shooting, sinking a school-record 10 triples in that game.
State’s roster also includes Jones Jr., who has started 27 games this season and reached 100 steals earlier this year. The Bulldogs’ transfer additions, including Jayden Epps and others, aim to bolster the team as they pursue their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
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