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Mississippi State basketball learns opponent for SEC-ACC Challenge

Mississippi State basketball just learned who they'll face for a key non-conference game, and there's some postseason history with their opponent.

By Andrew Miller

Mar 14, 2023; Dayton, OH, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Cameron Matthews (4) goes to the basket pressured by Pittsburgh Panthers guard Nelly Cummings (0) in the second half at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2023; Dayton, OH, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Cameron Matthews (4) goes to the basket pressured by Pittsburgh Panthers guard Nelly Cummings (0) in the second half at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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Mississippi State basketball enters the 2024-2025 season with heightened expectations. The Bulldogs have won 20 games and reached the NCAA Tournament each of the last two seasons under head coach Chris Jans.

Now, they aim to build off the foundation they've laid and make some serious noise. State returns stars in Josh Hubbard and Cam Matthews and loaded up with big-time talent through the transfer portal. If there was a time to strike, it's now.

And the fact that Chris Jans was just signed to a cushy extension only adds to that pressure to win.

Of course life in the SEC isn't easy, and MSU's SEC slate for 24-25 will send them to some incredibly tough road environments. Their non-conference schedule will have some challenging matchups too, which is a good thing when it comes to building out a tournament resume.

The SEC-ACC Challenge provides one such opportunity at an impressive win in the non-conference. Last season, State lost 67-59 at Georgia Tech in the Challenge. Which ACC opponent did they draw this season?

Mississippi State men's basketball will host Pitt in the SEC-ACC Challenge

Mississippi State men's basketball will face an opponent they have recent NCAA Tournament history with in the SEC-ACC Challenge. The Bulldogs will host the Pitt Panthers December 4.

Pitt is entering their seventh season under head coach Jeff Capel, and over the last two years, they've been a solid program. Last season, the Panthers went 22-11 and finished fourth in the ACC. Despite a strong record, they missed out on the tournament as one of the first four teams out of the field. They declined a NIT invitation.

Two years ago, Pitt was one of the last four teams in the field of the tournament alongside Mississippi State. State battled the Panthers in Dayton, falling in a 60-59 heartbreaker. Pitt would go on to upset 6-seed Iowa State before falling in the Round of 32 to 3-seed Xavier.

Pitt is expected to once again be one of the better teams in the ACC, so they should provide an important resume opportunity for Mississippi State. Ideally, the Bulldogs will avenge their tournament loss to the Panthers.

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