Mississippi State basketball's 2025-2026 season tips-off Wednesday night in Starkville against North Alabama. Chris Jans enters his fourth season as head coach of the Bulldogs, and he's got a roster loaded with new faces this time around. But he does have one of the nations' best returning Josh Hubbard to build around.
Which new faces will play what roles for the Bulldogs? Can this be Jans' best season yet? Here are the biggest questions for MSU basketball at the start of the season...
How does Mississippi State replace Cam Matthews?
No loss is more significant for the Bulldogs than the loss of do-it-all forward Cam Matthews. Matthews could defend 1-5 at a dominant level, rebound, force turnovers, run the point and distribute, and lay down monstrous dunks. He was the heartbeat of the team and a special talent that, realistically, no one other player will be able to replicate.
But the goal shouldn't be to try and recreate Cam. Roles will likely be more traditional in the lineup with less versatility, but that'll be best for maximizing these pieces. And if State's new bigs can provide more of an offensive spark, it may offset some of what was lost with Matthews' departure.
Do the Bulldogs get back to playing high-level defense?
MSU evolved its roster last season to be a more high-scoring team, but the unintended consequence was a major dropoff from the hard-nosed defense expected from a Chris Jans team. They allowed 74 PPG and opponents shot 36% from three against them. That won't cut it, and while the loss of Cam Matthews makes goal of returning to strong defense more difficult, MSU has added pieces that could make it happen.
Center Quincy Ballard was an elite rim-protector at Wichita State. Transfers Achor Achor, Amier Ali, and Brandon Walker plus Slovenian newcomer Sergej Macura all provide much-needed length to the front court and wings. And Shawn Jones returns for his senior season after impressing as a defender off the bench so far. It seems a return to what's expected under Chris Jans is in order.
Does another consistent shooter emerge alongside Josh Hubbard?
The Bulldogs have a superstar scorer in Josh Hubbard as the focal point of the team, and he's more than capable of carrying State on the offensive end in a given game. But to reach their potential, they'll need someone to take some pressure off of Hubbard as a consistent scorer, which despite a better offense a season ago, didn't happen with that squad.
This year, the most obvious candidate is Georgetown transfer Jayden Epps. Epps averaged 18.5 per game for the Hoyas two seasons ago, and if that's the form he can bring to Starkville, the Bulldogs will have a dangerous backcourt duo on their hands. Don't count out UAB transfer Ja'Borri McGhee as a factor in this discussion as well.
Do any freshman make a major impact for Mississippi State?
Chris Jans signed his best high school class so far in Starkville, a Top 20 ranked class featuring four 4-star players. With transfers having been the main focus of his tenure to this point, freshman not named Josh Hubbard haven't played major roles for the Bulldogs under Jans.
That could change this year. Guard King Grace could immediately step in as an impact scorer. Big man Jamarion Davis-Fleming can be another strong defender in the post for the Bulldogs. With so much to be replaced from last season, there are plenty of opportunities for young guys to see minutes, and State has talented enough signees to take advantage of those chances.
Can Chris Jans' program finally take the next step?
Chris Jans' tenure has been a massive success so far. The Bulldogs have won 21 games and reached the NCAA Tournament in all three of his seasons in Starkville. But there's still more to want to see from the program. MSU has finished with a losing 8-10 SEC record every year under Jans. They still have not won a game in the NCAA Tournament. Can they find more SEC success and win in March?
It's certainly possible. Though unproven at several spots, this looks to be Jans' deepest and most talented roster assembled at State. Defensively, they should be improved, and the offensive ability across the board is at least respectable. And of course they've got a star in Josh Hubbard to lead them. The SEC, while still loaded, is filled with newcomers this season and, as a result, very much wide open. If the right pieces hit, the Bulldogs can absolutely make noise in the league. And at some point, they're going to hit their stride in the postseason. It can happen this year.