Mississippi State enters Monday at 7-5 with a winnable matchup against Alabama State, but the bigger picture is already coming into focus.
A Star Emerging in Starkville
The Bulldogs have a true star in Josh Hubbard, and they are asking him to do more than ever as SEC play looms.
The 21-year-old junior from Madison, Mississippi is averaging 21.3 points per game, putting him just outside the national top 10 in scoring. Hubbard has always been a scorer, but this season marks the first time he has pushed comfortably past the 20-point mark on a nightly basis.
Steady Growth Into a Go-To Scorer
Hubbard’s rise has been steady rather than sudden. As a freshman, he started 16 of 35 games and averaged 17.1 points per game, flashing the scoring instincts that made him a key piece of the program early on. His efficiency has remained consistent throughout his career, including an excellent 85.6 percent mark at the free-throw line and a career 35 percent shooting rate from three-point range.
Last season, Hubbard started all 34 games and increased his scoring average to 18.9 points per game. This year, with 12 starts already, he has taken another leap. Along with his scoring bump, he is also posting a career-high assist rate at just under four per game, showing continued growth as a playmaker.
Help on the Perimeter, But the Load Is Clear
While Hubbard is clearly the focal point, Mississippi State has received important contributions from Jayden Epps. The guard is playing nearly 28 minutes per game and averaging 16.9 points while shooting close to 49 percent from the field. His presence has helped prevent defenses from loading up entirely on Hubbard.
Still, when the Bulldogs need a bucket late or a stretch of offense to settle the game, the ball usually finds Hubbard’s hands.
A Resume Built Through Close Calls
Mississippi State’s five losses tell the story of a team that has been competitive but not flawless. Two early losses came by double digits against Iowa State and Kansas State. The remaining defeats were tighter, including losses by six to SMU, two to New Mexico, and three to San Francisco.
Since that most recent setback, the Bulldogs have responded well. They have won three straight games, including victories over Utah, Long Island, and Memphis, showing improved composure and execution heading into the final tune-up before conference play.
SEC Play Will Decide the Ceiling
Mississippi State and Ole Miss are currently the only SEC teams with five losses, putting immediate pressure on the Bulldogs once league play begins. Their conference schedule opens on the road at Texas on January 3, followed by their first SEC home game against Oklahoma on January 7.
Head coach Chris Jans is in his fourth season and has already guided Mississippi State to three straight 21-win campaigns and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Reaching that mark again will require consistency in a deep and unforgiving SEC.
Why Hubbard’s Name Will Matter in March
If Mississippi State reaches the NCAA Tournament again, it would mark just the second time in program history that the Bulldogs have made four straight appearances. The last stretch came from 2002 to 2005.
Regardless of how far the Bulldogs go, Hubbard will be central to everything they accomplish. By the time March arrives, his name is likely to be a familiar one not only to SEC fans but also to those tracking the upcoming NBA Draft.