Mississippi State Hosts Tennessee in Key SEC Matchup
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State men’s basketball hosts Tennessee on Wednesday at Humphrey Coliseum, concluding a stretch of six consecutive games versus NCAA Net Quad 1 opponents, according to school officials.
The Bulldogs, with an 11-12 record and a 3-7 mark in SEC play, are led by guards Josh Hubbard and Jayden Epps, who have combined for an average of 35.3 points per game. The Volunteers, at 16-7 overall and 6-4 in conference, have won four of their last five games and are tied for fifth in the SEC standings, sources said.
Tennessee’s top scorers include Ja’Kobi Gillespie, averaging 18.5 points, and Nate Ament, with 17.6 points and 6.5 rebounds. Ament scored a season-high 29 points in Tennessee’s win at Kentucky earlier this season, according to team stats.
Mississippi State has secured its third consecutive NCAA Tournament bid for the third time in program history, with the last such streak spanning from 2002 to 2005. The Bulldogs aim to make four straight NCAA appearances for the second time, a feat last achieved from 2001 to 2005 under coach Rick Stansbury, school officials said.
Humphrey Coliseum has been a lively environment during coach Chris Jans’ tenure, with the arena recording some of its highest attendance figures in recent seasons. The arena celebrated its 50th anniversary on Dec. 1, according to university records. Tickets for remaining home games are available through Mississippi State’s athletic ticket office.
The upcoming game marks only the second time since 2017-18 that State will face an unranked Tennessee team, with the previous meeting resulting in an 86-73 victory for the Bulldogs on Feb. 1, 2020, according to historical data. Overall, the Volunteers lead the series 91-46.
Coverage begins at 8:05 p.m. CT on ESPN2, with live stats available via the school’s broadcast link. The game will also be carried on the Mississippi State Sports Network with radio announcers Neil Price and WZLA-FM 96.1, school officials added.
Among the notable figures, coach Chris Jans is in his fourth season leading Mississippi State, boasting a .693 winning percentage over 10 years as an NCAA Division I head coach, according to school reports. Jans has led the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournament appearances in his tenure, with a history of success at previous coaching stops.
Standout players include Hubbard, a two-time All-SEC Second-Team selection and preseason favorite, who ranks among the SEC’s top 15 in several categories. Hubbard has scored 1,713 career points, sixth in program history, and is closing in on the school record for three-pointers made. Jones Jr. and Warren are also key contributors for Mississippi State, according to team sources.
The Bulldogs’ transfer class includes players from Arizona State, Georgia, and other programs, aiming to bolster their postseason push, school officials said.
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