The Mississippi State Bulldogs aim for their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance as they prepare for the upcoming basketball season. Under the leadership of Coach Chris Jans, who begins his fourth year with the program, the Bulldogs have achieved a remarkable feat by reaching the NCAA Tournament in each of his first three seasons. Despite this success, Jans has yet to secure a victory in the tournament and has not exceeded nine conference wins in a single season.
As the new season approaches, the Bulldogs face challenges with limited veteran presence. Only two players return from last year’s squad: junior guard Josh Hubbard and senior wing Shawn Jones. Hubbard, who averaged 18.9 points per game last season and made 108 three-pointers, has earned All-SEC honors in each of his first two seasons. His career total of 1,240 points ranks fourth in SEC history for combined freshman and sophomore seasons.
Jones, a senior and the first four-year player under Jans, contributed 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game last season. He played in all 34 games, starting four, and emerged as a scoring threat later in the season while being recognized for his defensive skills. He shot 75.7% from the free-throw line and recorded multiple steals in ten games.
The Bulldogs have bolstered their roster with key transfers, including senior guard Jayden Epps, who averaged 12.8 points last season at Georgetown. Epps is expected to form a strong backcourt partnership with Hubbard. Previously, he averaged 18.9 points per game in his sophomore year and began his career at Illinois, where he participated in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
In addition to Epps, Mississippi State has made several transfers to enhance their lineup. Notable additions include center Quincy Ballard from Wichita State, who led the nation last season with a 75% field goal percentage, and guard Ja’Borri McGhee from UAB. Other new faces include wing Amier Ali from Arizona State and forwards Achor Achor from Kansas State and Brandon Walker from Montana State.
The Bulldogs also welcome a Top 20 freshman class, highlighted by guard King Grace from Dallas, Texas, and center Tee Bartlett from Los Angeles. Their season opener is scheduled for November 5, 2025, against North Alabama, followed by key matchups against Iowa State on November 10 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and SMU on November 28.
Coach Jans holds a career record of 63-40 at Mississippi State, while his overall coaching record stands at 206-84, giving him a winning percentage of 71%, ranking him sixth among active coaches nationally. The Bulldogs are determined to make history by securing their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, a milestone not achieved since 2001-05. However, they have not won a tournament game since 2008.
The upcoming season is filled with potential for the Bulldogs, despite the loss of key players like KeShawn Murphy, Riley Kugel, Kanye Clary, and Michael Nwoko, as well as the graduation of Cameron Matthews and Claudell Harris. Additionally, junior center Gai Chol suffered a preseason knee injury and will be sidelined for the entire season.
As the Bulldogs prepare to take the court, the focus will be on building team chemistry and leveraging their new roster to achieve their goals in the competitive landscape of college basketball.
