Mississippi State basketball is set to begin a highly-anticipated season. Chris Jans has restored respect, national attention, and success in StarkVegas, setting the stage for another promising year. Here’s why fans should be excited entering the 2024-2025 campaign...
The Bulldogs have a superstar in Josh Hubbard
Josh Hubbard's debut season was remarkable.
He averaged 17.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, leading all true freshmen nationally with 13 games of 20+ points, including two 30-point performances. His 17.1 points per game ranked 7th overall in the SEC and 1st among SEC freshmen. He also set Mississippi State freshman records for points (598) and three-pointers (108) in a single season. He led the SEC in three-pointers made per game (3.09), ranked 5th in three-point percentage (35.5%), and 9th in free throw percentage (85.3%). He scored in double figures in 30 games and led the team in scoring 23 times.
Hubbard earned All-SEC Second-Team and All-SEC Freshman-Team honors, joining Eric Dampier as the only Mississippi State freshmen to receive Second-Team recognition. He also became the first true freshman to win the prestigious Bailey Howell Trophy, awarded to Mississippi’s top collegiate player. He set a program record by winning five SEC Freshman of the Week awards.
And now, expectations are even higher. NCAA analyst Andy Katz ranks him as the #2 sophomore in the country. Chris Jans landed a true gem in the Madison, Mississippi native, and he's poised to continue making waves in the SEC and across college basketball.
Hubbard won't have to do it all by himself
As great as Hubbard is, State's success won't have to be entirely on his shoulders this season. Do-it-all forward Cam Matthews returns for his final year to lead the team alongside Hubbard. And for more of an offensive impact, Chris Jans went to the portal too add big-time scoring threats.
Transfers Kanye Clary, Claudell Harris, and Riley Kugel are all effective scorers capable of going off for big numbers in any given game. The talent level in the backcourt is significant, and now MSU's offensive success isn't going to be dictated on Hubbard going for 20+. The Bulldogs do have questions in the paint with stud center Tolu Smith gone, but with more effective guard play, they can more than make up for that.
Mississippi State has one of the nation's best coaches
Chris Jans enters his third season as head coach of the Bulldogs, and with him, MSU has one of the nation's best. Jans ranks sixth in winning percentage amongst active head coaches. He's led Mississippi State to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, the program's first back-to-back NCAA berths since 2007-09. State has only won 21 games each of those years. He joins elite company with coaches like John Calipari, Bruce Pearl, and Tubby Smith, having earned 21+ wins and NCAA invitations in their first two SEC seasons.
On the court, Jans coaches a nasty defense, and while the offense will be more of a focus this season, you can still expect the Bulldogs to be one of the SEC's best defensive teams. With the momentum Jans has built, this season looks like it could be the best in a long time. I predict another 20+ win season with a deep run in March Madness.