Maroon and White Nation
Fansided

Fans left dumbfounded that Josh Hubbard didn't take last shot for Mississippi State

Josh Hubbard had an incredible game for Mississippi State, but with the season on the line, he didn't get the last look. And no one can understand why.
ByAndrew Miller|
Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Josh Hubbard (12) shoots the ball against Baylor Bears guard Jalen Celestine (32) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Josh Hubbard (12) shoots the ball against Baylor Bears guard Jalen Celestine (32) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Josh Hubbard gave his all for Mississippi State today. The Bulldogs' guard carried his team offensively against Baylor in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, putting up 26 points on 11-17 shooting with four made three-pointers. It was the exact type of performance that captures the eyes of the nation in March.

Unfortunately, his performance came in a losing effort. His Bulldogs lost to Baylor 75-72, and their season is now over. And what's leaving everyone all the more baffled and frustrated with the loss is that with the season on line, Josh Hubbard is not who took game-deciding shot for Mississippi State.

How on earth did Josh Hubbard not attempt the final shot for Mississippi State against Baylor?

With less than 10 seconds to go, Mississippi State inbounded the ball down three to the Bears. Josh Hubbard raced the ball up the court, but rather than pull up for a shot, he handed it off to guard Claudell Harris. Harris fired off the potential game-typing shot, and...

...he air-balled. Bulldogs lose. With the season on the line, Mississippi State's best player and best shooter, in the midst of a remarkable performance, didn't take a must-make shot. And no one can understand why.

"Inexplicable" is probably the best way to describe it. Josh Hubbard isn't just Mississippi State's best shooter. He's one of the best shooters in the country. This isn't just a random regular season game where the result means little in the grand scheme of things. It's the NCAA Tournament. You're literally competing for the national championship, and if you lose, you're done. There's no excuse for not putting it in the hands of your superstar.

Baffling final possessions nothing new for Bulldog basketball

Unfortunately, the handling of that end-of-game situation isn't unusual for Mississippi State. There have been several games this year where someone other than Josh Hubbard got the ball with the game on the line.

In Mississippi State's final two regular season games against Texas and Arkansas, they had the ball with a chance to win in each. Hubbard didn't touch the ball in either situation, and both times the Bulldogs lost.

On the one hand, you could argue that makes the way State's tournament game ended unsurprising. On the other, you'd think seeing the way those other games ended would make you want to ensure the ball went to Josh Hubbard. I guess not.

Home/Mississippi State Basketball