Mississippi State basketball faces a crucial home contest Monday night. The Bulldogs (2-3) need a win against the New Orleans Privateers (2-3) at Humphrey Coliseum. Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network+. Josh Hubbard leads State. The guard is averaging 23.8 points per game.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Bulldogs are on a 2-game losing streak after Hall of Fame Classic losses
- Josh Hubbard ranks 1st in SEC for points per game at 23.8
- Mississippi State won the series 9 of 10 times against New Orleans
- Jayden Epps and Sergej Macura are out due to injuries for this game
- State’s worst 5-game start since the 2015-16 season
What Happened: Bulldogs Need Home Stand Response
Mississippi State limped back home after dropping two games in Kansas City. The Bulldogs fell to Kansas State (98-77 on Nov. 20) and New Mexico (80-78 on Nov. 21). It’s been a rough start. State’s 2-3 record marks the program’s worst five-game start since 2015-16.
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Now they face New Orleans (2-3, 0-0 Southland Conference). The Privateers have shown some promise. They beat TCU (78-74 on Nov. 3) and topped Tulane. But New Orleans lost to LSU (93-58), Pepperdine, and Fresno State. This matchup looks winnable at home.
Coach Chris Jans knows the stakes. Mississippi State has won 10 straight and 20 of its 21 non-conference home games under his watch. Breaking that streak would spark momentum.
Why This Matters: Avoiding Early Season Collapse
Losses keep piling up. The second-year squad can’t afford another defeat. They’re off to their worst start in nearly a decade. Josh Hubbard and company need to prove they belong in contention.
History is on State’s side. They’ve handled New Orleans convincingly. The last meeting came in 2019-20 when Mississippi State won 82-59. Plus, the Bulldogs have posted a combined 60-5 mark against other Southland Conference opponents.
But injuries complicate things. Both Jayden Epps and Sergej Macura are out with left foot injuries. Epps was averaging 13.5 points per game and had erupted for 21 points against New Mexico. That’s a massive loss.
The Head-to-Head Breakdown
Let’s compare these teams statistically:
| Statistic | Mississippi State | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 2-3 | 2-3 |
| Leading Scorer | Josh Hubbard 23.8 PPG | Coleton Benson 17.4 PPG |
| Series History (All-Time) | 9-1 | 1-9 |
| Key Injuries | Epps, Macura (Out) | TBA |
| Conference | SEC (0-0) | Southland (0-0) |
New Orleans features Coleton Benson (17.4 PPG) and Jakevion Buckley (16.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG). But Josh Hubbard is playing at another level. He ranks first in the SEC for scoring and fourth for three-pointers made (3.20).
Tuesday Night Preview and Prediction
Both teams seem evenly matched on paper. But Mississippi State has the experience and the star. Hubbard has delivered in big moments. He torched Alabama for a career-best 38 points back in January.
The Clarion Ledger predicts Mississippi State 83, New Orleans 59. It makes sense. Home court advantage, plus superior talent and depth should prevail. But State needs to execute. They can’t play sluggish basketball like they did against Kansas State and New Mexico.
Defense is crucial too. New Orleans is vulnerable if State’s wings get active. And Hubbard will get his points. The question is whether the role players step up without Epps.
Can Mississippi State Bounce Back From Disappointing Road Trip?
Real talk: this game matters. State’s season momentum is fragile. Another loss sends shock waves through campus. Fans grow restless. Confidence erodes. Coach Chris Jans has built something special here. His teams belong in the NCAA Tournament. But they can’t keep losing games they should win.
Humphrey Coliseum will be electric. The venue celebrated its 50-year anniversary coming Monday. That energy helps. State has won 10 straight and 20 of 21 non-conference home games. That’s elite. The Bulldogs need to channel that legacy tonight.
Watch for Shawn Jones Jr. and Achor Achor to step up big. They’ll get more offensive touches without Epps. Quincy Ballard brings defensive presence inside with 173 career blocks. And role players like Brandon Walker can provide depth scoring if needed.
Sources
- Mississippi State Athletics – Official game preview and Five Things to Know
- The Clarion-Ledger – Live updates and game coverage
- ESPN – Live score and box score updates
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.