Marquee Thanksgiving Tournament
July 28, 2021 | Men's Basketball
by Matt Dunaway, Associate Director/Communications
NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – The Mississippi State men's basketball team will be joined by Louisville, Maryland and Richmond at the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship over Thanksgiving announced Wednesday by tournament organizers.
The Bulldogs will face off with Louisville on Thursday, November 25th, followed by a matchup with Maryland or Richmond on Saturday, November 27th. Tip times and television network assignments will be released at a later date.
"Our multi-team event in the Bahamas is an outstanding tournament," head coach Ben Howland said. "We're joined by three great programs and open with Louisville, who is one of the premiere programs in the history of college basketball. They have a great tradition with multiple national championships and a history of great players. Maryland is an outstanding program who is well-coached. We have great respect for Richmond, who has everyone back from a team we faced in the NIT last year."
The Cardinals have won three national championships, most recently in 2013. Louisville has averaged 25.1 wins and finished among the nation's top 20 during 11 of the last 15 seasons. The Cardinals bring back three of their top five and five of their top eight scorers from a season ago. Samuel Williamson and Jae'Lyn Withers combined to average 19.7 points and 15.8 rebounds per game.
Mississippi State has won two of its last three meetings with Louisville. Most recently, the Bulldogs earned a 79-56 victory in the 2018 NIT Quarterfinals. Quinndary Weatherspoon led a balanced attack with 19 points and 14 rebounds followed by Aric Holman's 16 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Ray White and Greg Grim teamed up for 47 points on 20-of-35 shooting clip in State's 80-73 win over then No. 10 Louisville during the 1978-79 season.
The Mississippi State Athletic Ticket Office is selling 2021-22 season tickets. New season ticket purchasers can call (662) 325-2600, (888) Go Dawgs (888-463-2947) or visit www.HailState.com for more information. Current season ticket holders have received their renewal notice and have until July 30 to renew through MSU's Athletic Ticket Office.
Mississippi State has landed a quartet of impact transfers in Garrison Brooks (North Carolina), D.J. Jeffries (Memphis), Rocket Watts (Michigan State) and Shakeel Moore (North Carolina State), coupled with a solid freshmen class which features ESPN top 100 recruit KeShawn Murphy, Alden Applewhite and Cam Carter.
The Bulldogs also return two of their top three scorers in Iverson Molinar and Tolu Smith from 2020-21. Molinar ranked among the SEC's top 10 in points per game (16.7 – 4th), field goal percentage (47.8 – 5th) and 20-plus point games (8 – T-7th), while Smith was the SEC leader in rebounds per game (8.5) and double-doubles (8) last season.
Mississippi State captured a runner-up finish at the 2021 NIT as the Bulldogs earned a bid in postseason play for the third consecutive time when postseason tournament have been played. State won seven of its last 10 games, highlighted by a combined five NCAA NET Quad 1 and Quad 2 victories down the stretch.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – The Mississippi State men's basketball team will be joined by Louisville, Maryland and Richmond at the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship over Thanksgiving announced Wednesday by tournament organizers.
The Bulldogs will face off with Louisville on Thursday, November 25th, followed by a matchup with Maryland or Richmond on Saturday, November 27th. Tip times and television network assignments will be released at a later date.
"Our multi-team event in the Bahamas is an outstanding tournament," head coach Ben Howland said. "We're joined by three great programs and open with Louisville, who is one of the premiere programs in the history of college basketball. They have a great tradition with multiple national championships and a history of great players. Maryland is an outstanding program who is well-coached. We have great respect for Richmond, who has everyone back from a team we faced in the NIT last year."
The Cardinals have won three national championships, most recently in 2013. Louisville has averaged 25.1 wins and finished among the nation's top 20 during 11 of the last 15 seasons. The Cardinals bring back three of their top five and five of their top eight scorers from a season ago. Samuel Williamson and Jae'Lyn Withers combined to average 19.7 points and 15.8 rebounds per game.
Mississippi State has won two of its last three meetings with Louisville. Most recently, the Bulldogs earned a 79-56 victory in the 2018 NIT Quarterfinals. Quinndary Weatherspoon led a balanced attack with 19 points and 14 rebounds followed by Aric Holman's 16 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Ray White and Greg Grim teamed up for 47 points on 20-of-35 shooting clip in State's 80-73 win over then No. 10 Louisville during the 1978-79 season.
The Mississippi State Athletic Ticket Office is selling 2021-22 season tickets. New season ticket purchasers can call (662) 325-2600, (888) Go Dawgs (888-463-2947) or visit www.HailState.com for more information. Current season ticket holders have received their renewal notice and have until July 30 to renew through MSU's Athletic Ticket Office.
Mississippi State has landed a quartet of impact transfers in Garrison Brooks (North Carolina), D.J. Jeffries (Memphis), Rocket Watts (Michigan State) and Shakeel Moore (North Carolina State), coupled with a solid freshmen class which features ESPN top 100 recruit KeShawn Murphy, Alden Applewhite and Cam Carter.
The Bulldogs also return two of their top three scorers in Iverson Molinar and Tolu Smith from 2020-21. Molinar ranked among the SEC's top 10 in points per game (16.7 – 4th), field goal percentage (47.8 – 5th) and 20-plus point games (8 – T-7th), while Smith was the SEC leader in rebounds per game (8.5) and double-doubles (8) last season.
Mississippi State captured a runner-up finish at the 2021 NIT as the Bulldogs earned a bid in postseason play for the third consecutive time when postseason tournament have been played. State won seven of its last 10 games, highlighted by a combined five NCAA NET Quad 1 and Quad 2 victories down the stretch.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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