STARKVILLE — Mississippi State basketball has reached three straight NCAA Tournaments but is hoping for a breakthrough past the first round this season.
The Bulldogs’ 2025-26 season tips off against North Alabama on Nov. 5 (8 p.m., SEC Network) at Humphrey Coliseum. It’s the fourth season for coach Chris Jans. MSU lost to Baylor 75-72 in the first round of last season’s NCAA Tournament.
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Star guard Josh Hubbard returns for his junior season after leading Mississippi State in scoring the last two seasons.
Here’s what to know about Mississippi State ahead of the season opener.
Mississippi State basketball schedule top games
The Bulldogs will face an early test in the nonconference schedule when they play No. 18 Iowa State in South Dakota on Nov. 10 in the second game of the season.
They have three other nonconference games against power conference teams: SMU on Nov. 28, Georgia Tech on Dec. 3 and Utah on Dec. 13. MSU also hosts Memphis on Dec. 20 and will participate in the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, first against Kansas State on Nov. 20 and then either Nebraska or New Mexico on Nov. 21.
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Six of Mississippi State’s SEC opponents — No. 3 Florida, No. 9 Kentucky, No. 15 Arkansas, No. 16 Alabama, No. 17 Tennessee and No. 22 Auburn — are ranked in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll. Mississippi State will play four of them at Humphrey Coliseum: Alabama on Jan. 13, Arkansas Feb. 7, Tennessee Feb. 11 and Auburn on Feb. 18.
Mississippi State basketball roster top transfers
Mississippi State added six transfers this season, headlined by Quincy Ballard and Jayden Epps.
Ballard is a 7-foot center from Wichita State. He’s a rim-protecter Mississippi State hasn’t had under Jans. Ballard averaged 10.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks last season at Wichita State.
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Epps is a guard from Georgetown who could form a potent duo with Hubbard. He started 50 games in two seasons at Georgetown, averaging 15.8 points while shooting 32.1% from 3 on 364 attempts.
Evaluating Chris Jans’ Mississippi State 2025 recruiting class
Mississippi State signed its highest-ranked recruiting class since 2018 at No. 19 nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite. All four of the signees are four-stars.
Jamarion Davis-Fleming and Tee Bartlett are centers. Davis-Fleming is more likely to play as a freshman than Bartlett.
Cameren Paul and King Grace are both guards, with Grace the highest-ranked prospect in the class.
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Biggest unanswered question for Mississippi State basketball
How well does this supporting cast fit Hubbard?
The MSU roster once again is centered around Hubbard. Last season’s team improved offensively but took a step back on defense. Inconsistencies from the other guards hurt, too.
This season, the Bulldogs aimed to get back to their grueling defensive identity that brought success in Jans’ first two seasons.
MORE: Will Mississippi State women’s basketball make NCAA Tournament with freshman who dunks?
Will Mississippi State basketball make 2026 NCAA Tournament?
Mississippi State will make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season and win their first March Madness game since 2008.
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With a star in Hubbard and a defensive anchor in Ballard, the Bulldogs reach the second round before being ousted.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State basketball predictions, roster for 2025-26 season
