Wednesday, December 3
Atlanta, Ga.
8:15 p.m.
Mississippi State
at
Georgia Tech
Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Five Things To Know: State vs. Georgia Tech
December 02, 2025 | Men's Basketball
by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications
ATLANTA, Georgia – Mississippi State men's basketball turns the calendar to December as the Bulldogs travel to Georgia Tech for the third-annual ACC/SEC Challenge at McCamish Pavilion on Wednesday evening.
Last time out, State (3-4, 0-0 SEC) was unable to close out a nine-point lead down the stretch against another ACC opponent as SMU rallied to claim an 87-81 overtime decision.
The Bulldogs have split their first two outings in the ACC/SEC Challenge under Coach Jans. State blitzed No. 18 Pittsburgh for a 90-57 rout last season at Humphrey Coliseum and will look to avenge a 67-59 loss to Georgia Tech (5-3, 0-0 ACC) from the 2022-23 season.
The Yellow Jackets have won all five of their decisions at home and are led by Kowacie Reeves Jr. (12.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG). Baye Ndongo (11.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG) and Mouhamed Sylla (10.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG) have been strong on the interior and combined to hit a little over 60 percent of their shot attempts.
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 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 celebrated the 50th anniversary of opening its doors 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
State and Georgia Tech have met only three times since the Yellow Jackets left the Southeastern Conference. The Yellow Jackets have won the last two matchups and hold a 17-13 series edge.
State has posted a combined 35-60 mark against California, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh, SMU, Stanford, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest who also are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Matchup: Mississippi State (3-4, 0-0 SEC) vs. Georgia Tech (5-3, 0-0 ACC)
Where: Atlanta, Georgia – McCamish Pavilion
When: Wednesday, December 3, 8:15 p.m. CT
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast (https://hailst.at/3XuVFrT)
TV: ACC Network
Channels: Ch. 612 DirecTV • Ch. 402 • Dish • Ch. 166 MaxxSouth • Ch. 314 C-Spire
Stream: ESPN app, www.ESPN.com/watch (Subscription Required)
Direct Link: https://hailst.at/4rfdNUi
Talent: Mike Morgan, Scott Williams
Radio: Mississippi State Sports Network – Powered by Learfield
Talent: Neil Price, Richard Williams
Affiliate: WZLA-FM 96.1 Lazer – Your Greatest Hits
Free Online Audio: Hail State and The Varsity Network Apps
Direct Link: https://hailst.at/3M9f0fO
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 .704 winning percentage (209-88) 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 7th among NCAA active coaches with the aforementioned .706 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 66 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 1403 career points are tied for 18th on State's all-time list and the fourth-highest points total in program history through 76 games behind Howell, Jerry Jenkins (1973-74-75) and Jim Ashmore (1954-55-56-57).
This season, Hubbard ranks the SEC's top 10 in four categories: points per game (23.29– 1st), three-point field goals made (3.14 – 4th), assists per game (4.29 – 10th) and three-point field goal percentage (34.9 – 10th).
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 70 of 76 outings fueled by 18 of his 32 efforts of 20+ points versus SEC foes. He has secured 15+ points and 5+ assists in 10 career outings where State has gone 7-3.
Hubbard has sunk multiple triples in 64 of 76 career games and has hit at least one three-pointer in 54 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 238 treys which is already 4th on the program's all-time list.
Leas season, 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.
The Alabama game began a stretch where Hubbard has dialed up 22.9 points per contest sparked by 71 triples over his last 21 games. He poured in a season's best 29 points against New Mexico (11/21) which also matched a non-conference career-best. The junior guard has led the team the Maroon and White in scoring in 39 of his 57 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 Mississippi's all-time leading scorer with 4,367 points. He broke a record that stood for 37 years previously held by Mississippi State's Robert Woodard.
Jones Jr. has started six of seven 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 13 games dating back to the LSU game (03/01/25-11/28/25). He has posted 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals per contest over the 13-game run.
Warren has seen action in 32 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 1041 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 12 rebounds against SMU (11/28).
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 poured in a season's best 16 points, eight during the extra session, highlighted by the game-winning three-pointer with under two seconds left in overtime versus New Orleans (11/24).
Ballard has started in 74 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), (10.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG • 2024-25).
On the defensive end, Ballard has racked up 175 career blocks fueled by 46 performances with multiple blocks and six efforts of five-plus rejections. He registered his first double-double in Maroon and White with 12 points and 10 rebounds versus SMU (11/28).
Epps has piled up 1252 career points over 92 appearances sparked by 66 outings in double figures,
20 performances of 20-plus points and seven efforts of 30 or more points. He has drained 165 career three-pointers highlighted by 45 games with multiple treys.
Epps is complete combo guard with 24 games with multiple steals and 15 performances with five-plus assists. He piled up 17.5 points and 3.0 assists per game over his last four 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 effort of seven points, a game-leading 12 rebounds and two steals versus North Alabama (11/05). He has missed State's last three games due to an injury (11/21-11/28).
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 17 of 24 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 1,484 career points which also includes two junior college seasons. He tallied a season's best 17 points against SMU (11/28) following a 16-point, 5-assist effort versus New Orleans (11/24).
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 1,128 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 12 of the team's 31 blocks on the defensive end. His 1.7 blocks per game are 6th on the SEC leaderboard. Bartlett and Paul have yet to play for the Bulldogs this season.
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 38-7 mark versus non-SEC opponents during the regular season and have held 33 of those 45 opponents (73.3 percent) to 70 points or less under Coach Jans.
State has posted an 11-5 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 where the Bulldogs have posted 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.
ATLANTA, Georgia – Mississippi State men's basketball turns the calendar to December as the Bulldogs travel to Georgia Tech for the third-annual ACC/SEC Challenge at McCamish Pavilion on Wednesday evening.
Last time out, State (3-4, 0-0 SEC) was unable to close out a nine-point lead down the stretch against another ACC opponent as SMU rallied to claim an 87-81 overtime decision.
The Bulldogs have split their first two outings in the ACC/SEC Challenge under Coach Jans. State blitzed No. 18 Pittsburgh for a 90-57 rout last season at Humphrey Coliseum and will look to avenge a 67-59 loss to Georgia Tech (5-3, 0-0 ACC) from the 2022-23 season.
The Yellow Jackets have won all five of their decisions at home and are led by Kowacie Reeves Jr. (12.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG). Baye Ndongo (11.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG) and Mouhamed Sylla (10.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG) have been strong on the interior and combined to hit a little over 60 percent of their shot attempts.
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 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 celebrated the 50th anniversary of opening its doors 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
State and Georgia Tech have met only three times since the Yellow Jackets left the Southeastern Conference. The Yellow Jackets have won the last two matchups and hold a 17-13 series edge.
State has posted a combined 35-60 mark against California, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh, SMU, Stanford, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest who also are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Matchup: Mississippi State (3-4, 0-0 SEC) vs. Georgia Tech (5-3, 0-0 ACC)
Where: Atlanta, Georgia – McCamish Pavilion
When: Wednesday, December 3, 8:15 p.m. CT
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast (https://hailst.at/3XuVFrT)
TV: ACC Network
Channels: Ch. 612 DirecTV • Ch. 402 • Dish • Ch. 166 MaxxSouth • Ch. 314 C-Spire
Stream: ESPN app, www.ESPN.com/watch (Subscription Required)
Direct Link: https://hailst.at/4rfdNUi
Talent: Mike Morgan, Scott Williams
Radio: Mississippi State Sports Network – Powered by Learfield
Talent: Neil Price, Richard Williams
Affiliate: WZLA-FM 96.1 Lazer – Your Greatest Hits
Free Online Audio: Hail State and The Varsity Network Apps
Direct Link: https://hailst.at/3M9f0fO
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 .704 winning percentage (209-88) 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 7th among NCAA active coaches with the aforementioned .706 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 66 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 1403 career points are tied for 18th on State's all-time list and the fourth-highest points total in program history through 76 games behind Howell, Jerry Jenkins (1973-74-75) and Jim Ashmore (1954-55-56-57).
This season, Hubbard ranks the SEC's top 10 in four categories: points per game (23.29– 1st), three-point field goals made (3.14 – 4th), assists per game (4.29 – 10th) and three-point field goal percentage (34.9 – 10th).
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 70 of 76 outings fueled by 18 of his 32 efforts of 20+ points versus SEC foes. He has secured 15+ points and 5+ assists in 10 career outings where State has gone 7-3.
Hubbard has sunk multiple triples in 64 of 76 career games and has hit at least one three-pointer in 54 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 238 treys which is already 4th on the program's all-time list.
Leas season, 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.
The Alabama game began a stretch where Hubbard has dialed up 22.9 points per contest sparked by 71 triples over his last 21 games. He poured in a season's best 29 points against New Mexico (11/21) which also matched a non-conference career-best. The junior guard has led the team the Maroon and White in scoring in 39 of his 57 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 Mississippi's all-time leading scorer with 4,367 points. He broke a record that stood for 37 years previously held by Mississippi State's Robert Woodard.
Jones Jr. has started six of seven 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 13 games dating back to the LSU game (03/01/25-11/28/25). He has posted 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals per contest over the 13-game run.
Warren has seen action in 32 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 1041 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 12 rebounds against SMU (11/28).
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 poured in a season's best 16 points, eight during the extra session, highlighted by the game-winning three-pointer with under two seconds left in overtime versus New Orleans (11/24).
Ballard has started in 74 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), (10.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG • 2024-25).
On the defensive end, Ballard has racked up 175 career blocks fueled by 46 performances with multiple blocks and six efforts of five-plus rejections. He registered his first double-double in Maroon and White with 12 points and 10 rebounds versus SMU (11/28).
Epps has piled up 1252 career points over 92 appearances sparked by 66 outings in double figures,
20 performances of 20-plus points and seven efforts of 30 or more points. He has drained 165 career three-pointers highlighted by 45 games with multiple treys.
Epps is complete combo guard with 24 games with multiple steals and 15 performances with five-plus assists. He piled up 17.5 points and 3.0 assists per game over his last four 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 effort of seven points, a game-leading 12 rebounds and two steals versus North Alabama (11/05). He has missed State's last three games due to an injury (11/21-11/28).
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 17 of 24 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 1,484 career points which also includes two junior college seasons. He tallied a season's best 17 points against SMU (11/28) following a 16-point, 5-assist effort versus New Orleans (11/24).
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 1,128 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 12 of the team's 31 blocks on the defensive end. His 1.7 blocks per game are 6th on the SEC leaderboard. Bartlett and Paul have yet to play for the Bulldogs this season.
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 38-7 mark versus non-SEC opponents during the regular season and have held 33 of those 45 opponents (73.3 percent) to 70 points or less under Coach Jans.
State has posted an 11-5 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 where the Bulldogs have posted 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.
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/ Men's BasketballMEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Media Session - 12/1/25
Monday, December 01
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Jayden Epps & Quincy Ballard Postgame Press Conference vs. SMU - 11/28/25
Friday, November 28
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Postgame Press Conference vs. SMU - 11/28/25
Friday, November 28
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Media Session - 11/26/25
Wednesday, November 26