Five Things To Know: State vs. New Orleans

Monday, November 24

Starkville

6:30 p.m.

Mississippi State

New Orleans

Tickets From $13 - $18

KANSAS CITY, MO - November 21, 2025 - Mississippi State Guard Jaborri McGhee (#2) during the game between the New Mexico Lobos and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City, MO. Photo By Mike Mattina

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Five Things To Know: State vs. New Orleans

November 23, 2025 | Men's Basketball

Buy Tickets Fan Gameday Info WATCH: State vs. New Orleans [SECN+]LISTEN: State Radio Network - Powered by Learfield Live Stats

by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State men's basketball wraps up a three-game stretch over a five-day span when the Bulldogs play host to New Orleans on Monday evening at Humphrey Coliseum.

Last time out, the Bulldogs (2-3, 0-0 SEC) were handed defeats by Kansas State (98-77 on 11/20) and New Mexico (80-78 on 11/21) at the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, Missouri.

State has won 10 straight and 20 of its 21 non-conference home games with Coach Jans at the helm.

New Orleans (2-3, 0-0 Southland) has already defeated TCU in the non-conference slate. The Privateers are led by Coleton Benson (17.4 PPG) and Jakevion Buckley (16.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG).

As a program, Mississippi State secured its third straight NCAA Tournament bid for the third time in program history during the 2024-25 season. The last time the Bulldogs have accomplished the feat was in 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05.

This season, State is looking to connect four consecutive NCAA Tournament trips for the 2nd time in program history. The previous 4-year run went from 2001-02 to 2004-05 under Rick Stansbury. The Bulldogs are one of seven SEC teams and one of 25 schools nationally with an active streak of at least three consecutive NCAA Tournament trips.

State's victories over No. 18 Pitt, at No. 21 Memphis, versus No. 21 Ole Miss, at No. 19 Ole Miss and against No. 7 Texas A&M gave the Bulldogs five wins over AP Top 25 foes for the first time in program history during the 2024-25 regular season.

Humphrey Coliseum has been one of the nation's most electric atmospheres during the Chris Jans era where the Bulldogs posted top six program average attendance marks in back-to-back seasons. The Hump will celebrate the 50th anniversary of opening its doors in eight days on December 1.

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).

SERIES HISTORY
The Bulldogs have won nine of the previous 10 meetings on the hardwood over New Orleans. The last meeting was in 2019-20 when State came away with an 82-59 victory. Robert Woodard II (21 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists), Reggie Perry (14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists) and D.J. Stewart (13 points) led the way for the Maroon and White.

State has posted a combined 60-5 mark against Houston Christian, Lamar, McNeese, Nicholls, Northwestern State, Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M – Corpus Christi and Texas-Rio Grande Valley who also are members of the Southland Conference.

The Matchup: Mississippi State (2-3, 0-0 SEC) vs. New Orleans (2-3, 0-0 Southland)
Where: Starkville, Mississippi – Humphrey Coliseum
When: Monday, November 24, 6:30 p.m. CT
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast (https://hailst.at/3JxNpE4)

Online: SEC Network+
Stream: ESPN app, www.ESPN.com/watch (Subscription Required)
Direct Link: https://hailst.at/4nlN8BT
Talent: Bart Gregory, Marcus Grant

Radio: Mississippi State Sports Network – Powered by Learfield
Talent: Neil Price, Richard Williams
Affiliates: WZLA-FM 96.1 Lazer – Your Greatest Hits
Free Online Audio: Hail State and The Varsity Network Apps
Direct Link: https://hailst.at/3LethaJ

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STATE
1. Chris Jans, one of the nation's premier bench bosses, is in his fourth season of leading the State program. He is assisted by George Brooks, David Anwar, Patrice Days, Scott Padgett and Dillon Elder.

Jans, a three-time WAC Coach of the Year during his tenure at New Mexico State, owns an impressive .705 winning percentage (208-87) in his 10th season as a NCAA Division I head coach. He earned his 200th career victory against No. 21 Ole Miss (01/18/2025).

Jans is seventh among NCAA active coaches with the aforementioned .705 winning percentage which sits behind only Mark Few (Gonzaga), Bill Self (Kansas), John Calipari (Arkansas), Randy Bennett (Saint Mary's), Rick Pitino (St. John's) and Tom Izzo (Michigan State) among coaches with at least 10 seasons of NCAA Division I experience.

In his four seasons at State, Jans has amassed 65 victories which trails only Florida's Todd Golden among the six, SEC fourth-year coaches. He is the only active SEC coach at his respective school to post a trio of 20-plus win seasons during his first three seasons inside the league.

Jans remains in the elite company of Calipari (Kentucky – 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12), Bruce Pearl (Tennessee – 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08) and Tubby Smith (Kentucky – 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000) as the only four coaches in SEC history to take their squads to three straight NCAA Tournaments with at least 21 wins during their first three seasons inside the league.

Nationally, Jans is joined by Jon Scheyer (Duke) as the only fourth-year coaches in the nation to take their squads to the 2023, 2024 and 2025 NCAA Tournaments, respectively.

As a junior college head coach, Jans won the 1997-98 NJCAA Division II National Championship at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Jans played a vital role as an assistant coach at Wichita State which was headed by a 2013 NCAA Final Four run, five NCAA Tournament trips and four Missouri Valley Conference regular season crowns before he won the 2015 Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year during his first season as a NCAA Division I head coach at Bowling Green.

Jans ushered in an unprecedented run of success over a five-year span at New Mexico State where he guided the Aggies to a 122-32 record sparked by three NCAA Tournament trips. The program was in-line for a 4th NCAA Tournament appearance before the 2019-20 postseason was canceled.

2. State's returning group is fueled by Josh Hubbard, Shawn Jones Jr. and Dellquan Warren.

Hubbard, a two-time All-SEC Second-Team selection, joined Erick Dampier as the only State players to notch All-SEC status during their freshman and sophomore seasons. He is a consensus All-SEC Preseason First-Team pick this season in addition to being named to the Bob Cousy, John R. Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy and Oscar Robertson Preseason Watch Lists.

Hubbard is joined by Bailey Howell (1957-58-59) and Jamont Gordon (2006-07-08) as the lone State players to rip off back-to-back seasons of 550+ points. His 1359 career points are 20th on State's all-time list and the fourth-highest points total in program history through 74 games behind Howell, Jerry Jenkins (1973-74-75) and Jim Ashmore (1954-55-56-57).

This season, Hubbard ranks the SEC's top 15 in six categories: points per game (23.80– 1st), three-point field goals made (3.20 – 4th), assists per game (4.60 – tied 6th), three-point field goal percentage (36.4 – 7th), free throw percentage (84.4 – 14th) and steals per game (1.60 – tied 14th).

Hubbard, the only major conference player (ACC, BIG EAST, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC) from last season with 600+ points and 100+ assists to return to college basketball in 2025-26, has racked up double figures in 68 of 74 outings fueled by 18 of his 31 efforts of 20+ points versus SEC foes. He has secured 15+ points and 5+ assists in nine career outings where State has gone 6-3.

Hubbard has sunk multiple triples in 63 of 74 career games and has hit at least one three-pointer in 52 consecutive games which set a program record breaking Darryl Wilson's mark of close to 30 years during the Oklahoma game (02/22). The Madison native has already buried 232 treys which is already 5th on the program's all-time list.

Hubbard exploded for a career-best 38 points against No. 4 Alabama (01/29/2025). The 38 points are the most for a State player during the 2000s, and the most points in program history versus a ranked opponent.

Over his last 19 outings dating back to the Alabama game in late January, Hubbard has dialed up 22.9 points per game sparked by 65 triples. He poured in a season's best 29 points against New Mexico (11/21) which also matched a non-conference career-high. The junior guard has led the team in scoring during 38 of his 55 career starts since the Auburn game (01/28/2024).

Hubbard, a two-time Howell Trophy winner awarded to the state's top collegiate player and ESPN top 100 recruit for the Class of 2023, capped his high school career as the state of Mississippi's all-time leading scorer with 4,367 career points. He broke a state record that stood for 37 years previously held by Mississippi State's Robert Woodard.

Jones Jr. has started all five games in 2025-26 after making 80 of his first 93 appearances over his first three seasons off the bench. He is one of nine players in program history to see action on three NCAA Tournament squads.

Jones Jr. fired in a career-best 17 points versus Southeastern Louisiana (11/15) on 7-of-10 shooting fueled by a career-high three treys. He has improved his scoring average in all four seasons at State.

Jones Jr. has produced four of his seven career outings in double figures over State's last 11 games dating back to the LSU game (03/01/25-11/21/25). He has posted 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals per contest over the 11-game run.

Warren has seen action in 31 games off the bench over the last two seasons. He chipped in multiple assists in 10 outings in addition to multiple steals on three occasions. The sophomore equaled his career-best with five points versus North Alabama (11/05) to begin the 2025-26 campaign.

Announced at SEC Media Days by Coach Jans, Gai Chol will miss the 2025-26 season due to injury.

3. State's transfer class includes Achor Achor (Samford • Kansas State), Amier Ali (Arizona State), Quincy Ballard (Florida State • Wichita State), Jayden Epps (Georgetown • Illinois), Sergej Macura (KK Mega Bemax • Serbia) (Ja'Borri McGhee (UAB) Brandon Walker (UT-Arlington • Montana State).

Achor has collected 1036 over his two junior college seasons and his four seasons at the NCAA Division I level. His best season was when the Melbourne, Australia product was a 2023-24 Lou Henson Award finalist which is awarded to the nation's top mid-major player while at Samford.

Achor was a 2023-24 All-Southern Conference First-Team honoree averaging 16.1 points per game and nearly fueled Samford to a 2024 NCAA Tournament upset of Kansas. His best effort at State was 9 points versus No. 16 Iowa State (11/10) followed by 9 rebounds against Kansas State (11/20).

Ali came on strong towards the end of freshmen campaign at Arizona State where he poured in five of his 7 outings in double figures against Big 12 foes. He boosted his average to 8.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game sparked by a 42.8 three-point percentage over ASU's last 11 games. Ali scored three points against No. 16 Iowa State (11/10) and versus Kansas State (11/20).

Ballard has started in 72 straight games for Wichita State and Mississippi State over the last three seasons. He's had massive jumps in his scoring and rebounding averages in all of his three seasons with the Shockers (2.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG • 2022-23), (7.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG • 2023-24) and (10.0 PPG, 9.2 PPG • 2024-25).

On the defensive end, Ballard has racked up 173 career blocks fueled by 46 performances with multiple blocks and six efforts of five-plus rejections. He registered 10 points and 6 rebounds versus Kansas State (11/20) at the Hall of Fame Classic.

Epps has piled up 1231 career points over 91 appearances sparked by 65 outings in double figures,
19 performances of 20-plus points and seven efforts of 30 or more points. He has drained 162 career three-pointers highlighted by 44 games with multiple treys.

Epps is complete combo guard with 23 games with multiple steals and 15 performances with five-plus assists. He piled up 16.3 points and 3.0 assists per game over his last three outings.

Macura has a pair of his KK Mega Bemax teammates from Serbia, Andrija Jelavic (Kentucky) and Filip Jovic (Auburn), also are playing at SEC schools. He represented his native Slovenia at multiple FIBA events. He provided 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game as Slovenia won the silver medal at the 2024 U20 EuroBasket Championships in Poland.

Macura provided a strong opening night effort of seven points, a game-leading 12 rebounds and two steals versus North Alabama (11/05). He missed State's last game due to an injury (11/21).

McGhee played at UAB where the Blazers were 24-13 and made the 2025 NIT Elite 8 under Andy Kennedy. State and UAB have won 16 of 22 games over the last two seasons where McGhee scored 10 or more points. Four of his five efforts of 20-plus points were against American Conference foes last season.

Overall, McGhee has amassed 1,451 career points which also includes two junior college seasons. He tallied 11 of his 14 points against North Alabama (11/05) during the second half of State's season opener.

Walker, a two-time All-Big Sky Honorable Mention pick, has dialed up 50 of his 58 career outings over his last three seasons. He was ranked among the Big Sky's top 10 in field goal percentage and points last season.

Overall, Walker has produced 1,121 points over his four-year collegiate career. His two best efforts for State are 10 points versus No. 16 Iowa State (11/10) and 8 points against New Mexico (11/21) where he made all seven of his shot attempts.

4. State's freshmen class features King Grace, Jamarion Davis-Fleming, Tee Barlett and Cameren Paul were ranked No. 12 nationally and fifth-best among SEC schools by ESPN's Classes for 2025.

Grace is consensus four-star prospect who played his final high school season at Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy based in Dallas, Texas. He ranked No. 75 in ESPN's Top 100 for the Class of 2025 and posted 24.3 points per game as a senior where he helped his team capture the EIBC Championship. Grace's top scoring effort is 8 points against Southeastern Louisiana (11/15).

Davis-Fleming is another consensus four-star prospect as the state of Mississippi's top prospect while playing at Canton High School. He was rated No. 97 in ESPN's Top 100 for the Class of 2025.
The 2024-25 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year posted 24.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.0 blocks per game as the 2024-25 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Mississippi.

Davis-Fleming has secured nine of the team's 24 blocks on the defensive end. His 1.8 blocks per game are tied for 4th on the SEC leaderboard.

Bartlett and Paul have yet to play for the Bulldogs this season. Bartlett is a unanimous four-star prospect who played his high school season for Overtime Elite based in Atlanta, Georgia. He ranked No. 94 in ESPN's Top 100 for the Class of 2025, while Paul is rated as high as a four-star prospect from South Grand Prairie High School in Texas. He averaged 15.2 points per game as a senior.

5. As a program, State has earned seven straight postseason appearances when postseason tournament has been played (4 NCAA • 3 NIT) and 17 postseason appearances (10 NCAA • 7 NIT) during the 2000s.

The Bulldogs have compiled a 37-6 mark versus non-SEC opponents during the regular season and have held 33 of those 43 opponents (76.7 percent) to 70 points or less under Coach Jans.

State has posted an 11-4 regular season record against fellow major conference squads (ACC • BIG EAST • Big Ten • Big 12 • former Pac-12) under Coach Jans. Nine of the 11 wins have come on road/neutral floors with the Bulldogs posting an average 8.9 margin-of-victory in those nine contests.

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.