Gameday: No. 25 State vs. Butler

by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications

TEMPE, Arizona – No. 25 Mississippi State men's basketball team will play for the program's straight multi-team tournament title in as many seasons under head coach Chris Jans as the Bulldogs take on Butler from the BIG EAST Conference on Friday.

State's Bulldogs (6-0) were clicking on all cylinders with eight players scoring at least five points during an 80-58 rout of UNLV, while Butler's Bulldogs (5-1) grinded its way to a 71-69 win over Northwestern. It's the first time in program history that State has started three consecutive with at least a 6-0 mark.

KeShawn Murphy provided his second double-double of the season with 14 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and finished the contest with an impressive +28 plus/minus rating. Josh Hubbard chipped in 11 points to make it 15 straight games in double figures dating back to the Ole Miss game on 02/24/2024.

With three steals during last night's contest, Cameron Matthews moved into sole possession of second place in program history and is 11 away from State's all-time mark.

Previously under Coach Jans, the Maroon and White won the 2022 Fort Myers Tipoff defeating Marquette (58-55) and Utah (52-49) before claiming the 2023 Hall of Fame Tipoff Tournament with victories over Washington State (76-64) and Northwestern (66-57).

The last time State won three straight multi-team events was in 1994-95 and 1995-96 under NCAA Final Four coach Richard Williams. The Bulldogs won the Missoulian/Coca-Cola Classic and the Cowboy Shootout in 1994-95 followed by Far West Classic in 1995-96.

State has secured back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances fueled by a pair of 21-win campaigns with Coach Jans at the helm. The last time the Bulldogs collected back-to-back NCAA Tournament bids was during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons. State will look to secure three straight NCAA Tournament trips for the third time in program history this season.

The Bulldogs vaulted their way into this week's Associated Press Top 25 poll at the No. 25 spot. At some point, State has been ranked inside the AP Top 25 in each of Coach Jans' first three seasons. The last time the Maroon and White achieved that feat was back in 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 under Rick Stansbury.

State has dialed up wins in 29 of 33 games versus non-SEC opponents and have held 21 of those opponents to 60 points or less during the Coach Jans era.

State has posted a 10-3 mark against fellow non-conference Power 6 basketball schools (ACC • BIG EAST • Big Ten • Big 12 • Pac-12) under Coach Jans.
Nine of the 10 wins have come on road/neutral floors with the Bulldogs posting an average 8.9 point margin-of-victory in those road/neutral contests.

SERIES HISTORY
State and Butler have met one previous time on the hardwood, a 47-46 decision in favor of Butler, during the 2003 NCAA Tournament Round of 64 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Overall, the Maroon and White have combined for a 10-8 mark against Connecticut, Creighton, DePaul, Marquette, Providence, Villanova and Xavier who also are members of the BIG EAST Conference.

The Matchup: Mississippi State (6-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. Butler (5-1, 0-0 BIG EAST)
Where: Tempe, Arizona – Mullett Arena
When: Friday, November 29, 8:30 p.m. CT
Live Stats: StatBroadcast (https://hailst.at/MBKLiveStats)

TV: CBS Sports Network (Ch. 221 – DirecTV; Ch. 158 Dish; Ch. 1025 MaxxSouth; Ch. 1643 C-Spire)
Stream: CBS Sports Online (Subscription Required)
Direct Link: https://hailst.at/3ZeoL0o
Talent: Jack Benjamin, Matt McCall

Radio: Mississippi State Sports Network – Powered by Learfield
Talent: Bart Gregory, Richard Williams
Affiliates: WZLA-FM 96.1 Starkville/West Point
Free Online Audio: Hail State and The Varsity Network Apps
Direct Link: https://hailst.at/4eHmgYK

UP NEXT
State returns to the friendly confines of Humphrey Coliseum where the Bulldogs will welcome PITT for Wednesday's SEC/ACC Challenge matchup. Tipoff is set for 8:15 p.m. CT televised by SEC Network and available online courtesy of the ESPN app.

After selling out seven contests and boasting the program's fifth highest attendance average for season in 2023-24, Humphrey Coliseum has averaged 8,865 fans which is the program's highest mark through the team's opening three games dating back to the 2007-08 season.

Fans can purchase single game tickets for the program's remaining non-conference home games through Mississippi State's Athletic Ticket Office at www.HailState.com/tickets or by calling (662) 325-2600 / (888) 463-2947 (GO DAWGS).

Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Gameday: No. 25 State vs. Butler

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Players Mentioned

Cameron Matthews

Mississippi State University Athletics