14. Mississippi State Bulldogs - 11-1
The SEC is brutal this year from top to bottom. But one team that’s flown under the radar to this point is Mississippi State, who has just one blemish, falling to Butler in a neutral site matchup. But they do have some good wins as well, beating Pittsburgh, Utah, SMU, and Memphis.
There’s been no sophomore slump for star guard Josh Hubbard so far, leading the team with 17.6 ppg and 3.3 apg, shooting 40% from deep on over eight attempts a game. Although he’s not starting, forward Keyshawn Murphy is second on the team with 10.4 ppg and 7.7 rpg as the current favorite for SEC 6th Man of the Year.
The team has also had some successful impact transfers. Guards Claudell Harris and Riley Kugel are putting up over 9.0 ppg, splitting time between starting and coming off the bench. Former Miami big man Michael Nwoko has been effective as a starter, part of a physical and defensive-oriented frontcourt group.
Mississippi State has earned the right to be ranked, but after a home game with Bethune-Cookman, it has a tough slate of games ahead. After matchups with South Carolina and Vanderbilt to open league play, there are four games with ranked opponents, including top teams Auburn and Tennessee.