Men’s Hoops Places Three On All-SEC Teams

by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Mississippi State's Josh Hubbard, Cameron Matthews and Tolu Smith III captured All-SEC accolades announced Monday by the conference office.

Smith III earned All-SEC First-Team status for the second consecutive season, while Hubbard secured All-SEC Second Team and All-SEC Freshman Team. Matthews was one of five players chosen to the All-SEC Defensive Team.

For Smith III, he gives the Maroon and White an All-SEC First-Team pick in five of the last six seasons. He also became the 15th player in program history to pick up multiple All-SEC First-Team selections. The last State player to accomplish the feat was Jarvis Varnado, the NCAA's all-time leading shot blocker, during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.

After winning a program-record five SEC Freshman of the Week during the season, Hubbard became the second State freshmen to come away with All-SEC Second-Team honors. He joins an illustrious list which includes Erick Dampier in 1993-94.

The All-SEC Defensive nod for Matthews enabled him to become the fourth player in program history to etch his name to the record book. His company includes Abdul Ado (2020-21), Greg Carter (1990-91) and Varnado (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10).

Hubbard and Smith III give State a pair of All-SEC honorees during the same season for the first time since 2011-12 when Dee Bost and Arnett Moultrie garnered All-SEC First-Team accolades.

Smith III has racked up 1,519 points (11th) and 835 rebounds (8th) and has started 99 of 104 games at State. He is joined by Kansas' Hunter Dickinson, Purdue's Zach Edey and Miami's Norchad Omier as the only Power 6 players in college basketball to average at least 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and shoot 55.0+ percent from the floor this season.

Smith III has ripped off 18 double-doubles over his last 35 games dating back to mid-January of last season. Overall, he has produced 23 of his SEC-leading 33 double-doubles among active players coupled with 10 of his 12-career 20+ point, 10+ rebound performances versus SEC competition. Smith III has amassed 80 career games in double figures which is tied for 9th most, while his 57.5 career field goal percentage is 5th in State's record book.

Hubbard has already set State's freshmen single season record with 521 points previously held by Rickey Brown (1976-77) and drained 98 three-pointers which is an overall program mark for the Maroon and White surpassing Darryl Wilson (1995-96). He has piled up double-digit points in 26 of 31 games on the season.

Hubbard's 16.8 points per contest are first among SEC freshmen, and Hubbard has amassed 11 outings of 20-plus points, tops nationally among true freshmen. The Madison native closed the regular season with five consecutive games of 20-plus points, the longest run by a State player since Jeff Malone accomplished the feat with 11 straight games in 1982-83.

Matthews is ranked among the SEC's top 10 in four categories: steals (2.06 – 2nd), rebounds (7.10 – 6th), offensive rebounds (2.48 – 7th) and defensive rebounds (4.61 – 8th). He is the only Power 6 player and one of two players nationally to average at least 9.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game this season.

Matthews has racked up 183 career steals which sits 6th on State's all-time list and third among SEC active players. He has posted a team-leading +213 plus/minus ratio when on the floor this season.

2023-24 SEC Postseason Awards – Listed Alphabetically

All-SEC First Team – Coaches
Johni Broome – Auburn
Dalton Knecht – Tennessee
Zyon Pullin – Florida
Antonio Reeves – Kentucky
Mark Sears – Alabama
Tolu Smith III – Mississippi State
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Zakai Zeigler – Tennessee

All-SEC Second Team – Coaches
Jonas Aidoo – Tennessee
Walter Clayton Jr. – Florida
Ta'lon Cooper – South Carolina
Josh Hubbard – Mississippi State
Meechie Johnson – South Carolina
Matthew Murrell – Ole Miss
Rob Dillingham – Kentucky
Reed Sheppard – Kentucky
Jaylin Williams – Auburn

All-SEC Defensive Team – Coaches
Jonas Aidoo – Tennessee
Johni Broome – Auburn
Andersson Garcia – Texas A&M
Cameron Matthews – Mississippi State
Zakai Zeigler – Tennessee

All-SEC Freshman Team – Coaches
Alex Condon – Florida
Silas Demary Jr. – Georgia
Rob Dillingham – Kentucky
Aden Holloway – Auburn
Josh Hubbard – Mississippi State
Collin Murray-Boyles – South Carolina
Reed Sheppard – Kentucky
D.J. Wagner – Kentucky

SEC Specialty Awards – Coaches
SEC Coach of the Year: Lamont Paris – South Carolina
SEC Player of the Year: Dalton Knecht – Tennessee
SEC Freshman of the Year: Reed Sheppard – Kentucky
SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Year: Rob Dillingham – Kentucky
SEC Defensive Player of the Year: Zakai Zeigler – Tennessee
SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Sean East II – Missouri

UP NEXT
State turns its attention to the SEC Tournament where the Bulldogs will square off with LSU to open up Thursday's second round action. Tip time is slated for 12 p.m. CT from Bridgestone Arena, home of the NHL's Nashville Predators. The game will be televised by SEC Network and streamed online courtesy of the ESPN app.

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.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Men’s Hoops Places Three On All-SEC Teams

Players Mentioned

Josh Hubbard

Cameron Matthews

Tolu Smith III

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