Mississippi State Hosts Missouri in Final Home Game of SEC Season
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State men’s basketball will play its final two home games of the SEC season inside Humphrey Coliseum, starting with Saturday’s matchup against Missouri at noon. The Bulldogs, with a 13-15 overall record and 5-10 in SEC play, aim to bolster their NCAA Tournament hopes.
Mississippi State is led by guards Josh Hubbard and Jayden Epps, who have combined for an average of 35.2 points per game. Hubbard will be honored prior to the game with the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, recognizing his leadership and community service, according to school officials.
The Tigers, 19-9 overall and 9-6 in SEC, have won five of their last seven games. They defeated Mississippi State 84-79 in January. Missouri’s T.O. Barrett has scored in double figures in seven of his last nine outings. Mark Mitchell, Jayden Stone and Trent Pierce also average double figures for the Tigers, with Mitchell recently posting 23 points in a win over No. 22 Tennessee.
Mississippi State secured its third consecutive NCAA Tournament bid last season, a rare streak in program history. The Bulldogs aim to make it four straight for the first time since the early 2000s, joining just seven SEC teams with at least three consecutive NCAA appearances.
The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network, with live stats available via the school’s broadcast link. Fans can purchase tickets through the Mississippi State Athletic Ticket Office or call to reserve seats. Humphrey Coliseum, celebrating its 50th anniversary, has been one of the nation’s most energetic atmospheres this season, drawing high attendance figures under coach Chris Jans.
Missouri has won the last three meetings in the series, but Mississippi State holds a 14-9 overall advantage, including a 9-2 record at Humphrey Coliseum. The Bulldogs will look to improve their series record and close out their home schedule with a win.
Chris Jans, in his fourth season leading Mississippi State, has compiled a 76-33 record at the school. He is among the NCAA’s active coaches with a winning percentage of .689 and has led the Bulldogs to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Jans’s success includes guiding the program through three NCAA Tournaments in his first four seasons.
Hubbard, a preseason All-SEC pick, ranks among the SEC’s top scorers and is Mississippi State’s all-time leading scorer with 1,846 points. He scored a game-high 46 points earlier this month, setting an SEC record for points in a game. Hubbard also holds the school record with 298 career three-pointers.
Mississippi State’s other key players include Shawn Jones Jr. and Dellquan Warren, who have contributed significantly this season. Jones Jr. has played in all four NCAA Tournaments during his tenure, making him one of the program’s most experienced players.
The Bulldogs will look to cap their home schedule with a victory and continue their pursuit of an NCAA Tournament bid as they prepare for the final games of the SEC regular season.
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