Alabama 2024-25 Opponent Preview: Mississippi State Bulldogs
After back-to-back home victories last week, the Alabama Crimson Tide will now travel this Wednesday night for the first time since Jan. 18 to face one of the SEC's more talented teams, the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
A team that has played Alabama has had success against recently, Mississippi State is currently ranked among the top teams in the SEC, and are led by one of the conference's most talented scorers.
In addition to this, the Bulldogs have also lost only once so far this season at home, which was a game that easily could've gone the other way as well.
Here are a few things that you need to know about Mississippi State ahead of Alabama's trip to Starkville this week.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Team Overview
Team Name: Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State Bulldogs Conference: SEC
SEC Arena: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Mississippi
Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Mississippi 2024-25 Record: 16-4 overall (4-3 in SEC)
16-4 overall (4-3 in SEC) Ranking: No. 14 in AP Poll, No. 13 in Coaches Poll
Mississippi State enters Wednesday as a consensus Top 25 ranked team in the nation, sitting as high as No. 13 according to the latest USA TODAY Sports' Men's Basketball Coaches Poll. The Bulldogs are also 16-4 on the season, as well as 4-3 in SEC play.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Chris Jans
Chris Jans Assistant Coach: George Brooks
George Brooks Assistant Coach: David Anwar
David Anwar Assistant Coach: Patrice Days
Patrice Days Assistant Coach: Scott Padgett
Scott Padgett Assistant Coach: Dillon Elder
Leading the Mississippi State program is head coach Chris Jans, who is in his third season in charge of the Bulldogs. Over the past two seasons, Mississippi State has made a NCAA Tournament each year, as well as finished with 21 total wins.
Mississippi State Bulldogs 2024-25 Stats
PPG: 80.7 (No. 45 in NCAA)
80.7 (No. 45 in NCAA) PPG Allowed: 69.5 (No. 118 in NCAA)
69.5 (No. 118 in NCAA) FG%: 45.8
45.8 2P%: 55.7
55.7 3P%: 32.1
32.1 FT%: 69.8
69.8 RPG: 38.8
38.8 APG: 15.8
15.8 SPG: 9.6
9.6 BPG: 4.5
Mississippi State is among the SEC's top scoring teams this season at 80.7 points a game, a number that ranks No. 45 nationally. The Bulldogs are also one of the conference's best when it comes to steals per game, ranking No. 17 nationally with 9.6.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Names to Know
Josh Hubbard, Guard – Sophomore
– Sophomore KeShawn Murphy, Forward – Redshirt Junior
– Redshirt Junior Claudell Harris Jr., Guard – Senior
– Senior Riley Kugel, Guard – Junior
– Junior Cameron Matthews, Forward – Graduate Student
In conclusion, Mississippi State has a total of four double-digit scorers, led by guard Josh Hubbard at 16.3 points a game. Both of Mississippi State's top forwards, KeShawn Murphy and Cameron Matthews, are also averaging over seven rebounds a game this season.
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Everyone genuinely cares about each other." — Eyanson. ___ Arkansas (48-13) Coach: Dave Van Horn (931-470 in 23 seasons at Arkansas; 1,516-710 in 38 seasons overall). Road to Omaha: Won Fayetteville Regional: beat North Dakota State 62, beat Creighton 12-1, beat Creighton 8-3. Won Fayetteville Super Regional: beat Tennessee 4-3, beat Tennessee 11-4. 2025 record vs. CWS teams: 1-2. Last CWS appearance: 2022. All-time record in CWS: 18-22 in 11 appearances. Meet the Razorbacks: C Ryder Helfrick (.320, 14 HRs, 36 RBIs), 1B Reese Robinett (.276, 2, 12), 2B Cam Kozeal (.346, 15, 62), SS Wehiwa Aloy (.348, 20, 64), 3B Brent Iredale (.289, 14, 56), LF Charles Davalan (.355, 14, 59), CF Justin Thomas Jr. (.278, 9, 35), RF Logan Maxwell (.360, 13, 35), DH Kuhio Aloy (.330, 13, 70). Starting pitchers: LHP Zach Root (8-5, 3.59 ERA), RHP Aiden Jimenez (4-1, 3.66), RHP Gage Wood (3-1, 5.02). 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