This is a visual explainer based on the Wikipedia article on Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

Bulldogs on the Hardwood

An in-depth exploration of Mississippi State's storied men's basketball program, covering its history, key players, achievements, and rivalries.

Program History 👇 Tournament Success 🏆

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!


When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

Program Overview

University & Location

Mississippi State University, situated near Starkville, Mississippi, fields its NCAA Division I men's basketball team in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC). The program has a long-standing tradition, with its first recorded season in 1908.

All-Time Record & Leadership

The Bulldogs boast an impressive all-time record of 1,506 wins against 1,267 losses, reflecting a winning percentage of .543. The current athletic director is Zac Selmon, and the team is led by Head Coach Chris Jans, entering his third season.

Home Court

The Bulldogs play their home games at the Humphrey Coliseum, a venue with a capacity of 10,575. This arena has been the team's home since 1975, succeeding the historic McCarthy Gymnasium.

Program History

Early Years & Integration

The Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball program commenced in 1908. The team has a notable history, including participation in the 1963 NCAA tournament. This particular team famously participated in what is known as the "Game of Change," traveling to play against Loyola-Chicago, a team that included African-American players, in defiance of state segregationist policies at the time. This event marked a significant moment in the program's history and the broader context of civil rights in college sports.

Conference Dominance

Mississippi State has secured numerous conference championships throughout its history. They claimed two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) titles in 1913 and 1914. More recently, the team has achieved six SEC regular-season championships in 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1991, and 2004. Additionally, they have won four conference tournament championships, including one Southern Conference title in 1923 and three SEC tournament titles in 1996, 2002, and 2009.

Recent Success & Coaching

Under former Head Coach Rick Stansbury, the Bulldogs experienced significant success, earning six NCAA tournament appearances within a ten-season span. The current era is led by Head Coach Chris Jans, who was appointed in March 2022.

Key Rivalries

The Egg Bowl Rivalry

The primary and most intense rivalry for Mississippi State is with the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss Rebels). In men's basketball, Mississippi State holds a historical advantage in the series, leading 142-112. Former coach Rick Stansbury notably had a strong record against Ole Miss, achieving 21 wins against 8 losses.

The Magnolia State Showdown

Another significant rivalry exists with the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, separated by approximately 90 miles. While Alabama leads the all-time series 120-74, these matchups are often closely contested and highly anticipated within the SEC.

Notable Alumni

All-Americans

Several Mississippi State players have achieved All-American status, recognizing their outstanding collegiate performance. Notable honorees include Jim Ashmore, Bailey Howell (a two-time All-American and Hall of Famer), Red Stroud, and more recently, Lawrence Roberts and Jamont Gordon.

Player Position Year(s) Selectors
Jim Ashmore Guard 1956–57 Converse, Associated Press, UPI, Helms Athletic Foundation
Bailey Howell (2) Forward 1957–58, 1958–59 Helms Athletic Foundation, Associated Press, USBWA/Look Magazine, NABC, UPI, NEA
Red Stroud (2) Guard 1961–62, 1962–63 Helms Athletic Foundation, Converse, NABC, Associated Press
Leland Mitchell Guard 1962–63 Converse
Rickey Brown Forward 1979–80 Citizen Saving Athletic Foundation, Associated Press
Jeff Malone Guard 1982–83 The Sporting News, Basketball Times, NABC
Greg Carter Forward 1990–91 Associated Press
Chuck Evans Guard 1991–92 UPI
Eric Dampier (2) Center 1994–95, 1995–96 Associated Press
Mario Austin Forward 2002–03 Associated Press, Foxsports.com
Lawrence Roberts (2) Forward 2003–04, 2004–05 Associated Press, USBWA, NABC, The Sporting News
Jamont Gordon (2) Guard 2006–07, 2007–08 Foxsports.com, Rivals, ESPN, Associated Press
Jarvis Varnado (2) Forward 2008–09, 2009–10 Associated Press, College Basketball Insider
Dee Bost Guard 2008–09 CollegeHoops.net

NBA Draft & Notable Careers

Numerous Bulldogs have transitioned to professional careers, including several NBA draft picks. Arnett Moultrie and Erick Dampier were first-round selections. Jarvis Varnado holds the NCAA career record for blocked shots and achieved remarkable statistical milestones. Bailey Howell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.

Individual Accolades

Conference Honors

Mississippi State players and coaches have frequently been recognized by the Southeastern Conference. Players like Bailey Howell, Jeff Malone, Lawrence Roberts, and Jarvis Varnado have earned SEC Player of the Year or Defensive Player of the Year awards. Coaches such as Babe McCarthy and Rick Stansbury have been named SEC Coach of the Year.

SEC Player of the Year: Jim Ashmore (1957), Bailey Howell (1958, 1959), W.D. "Red" Stroud (1962), Jeff Malone (1983), Lawrence Roberts (2004)

SEC Defensive Player of the Year: Jarvis Varnado (2008, 2009, 2010)

SEC Coach of the Year: Babe McCarthy (1961, 1962, 1963), Kermit Davis Sr. (1971), Ron Greene (1978), Bob Boyd (1985), Richard Williams (1991, 1995), Rick Stansbury (2004)

National & Regional Recognition

Beyond conference accolades, Mississippi State players have received national and regional honors. Jarvis Varnado was named the NCAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. The Howell Trophy, awarded to the top college basketball player in Mississippi, has been claimed by several Bulldogs, including Lawrence Roberts, Jamont Gordon, Jarvis Varnado, Arnett Moultrie, Quinndary Weatherspoon, Reggie Perry, Iverson Molinar, Tolu Smith, and Josh Hubbard.

Postseason Appearances

NCAA Tournament

The Bulldogs have made 14 appearances in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, compiling an overall record of 11-14. Their most successful run occurred in 1996 when they reached the Final Four. Other notable performances include reaching the Elite Eight in 1996 and the Sweet Sixteen in 1963, 1995, and 1996.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1963 Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd Place Game
Loyola–Chicago
Bowling Green
L 51–61
W 65–60
1991 #5 Round of 64 #12 Eastern Michigan L 56–76
1995 #5 Round of 64
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen
#12 Santa Clara
#4 Utah
#1 UCLA
W 75–67
W 78–64
L 67–86
1996 #5 Round of 64
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
#12 VCU
#13 Princeton
#1 Connecticut
#2 Cincinnati
#4 Syracuse
W 58–51
W 63–41
W 60–55
W 73–63
L 69–77
2002 #3 Round of 64
Round of 32
#14 McNeese State
#6 Texas
W 70–58
L 64–68
2003 #5 Round of 64 #12 Butler L 46–47
2004 #2 Round of 64
Round of 32
#15 Monmouth
#7 Xavier
W 85–52
L 74–89
2005 #9 Round of 64
Round of 32
#8 Stanford
#1 Duke
W 93–70
L 55–63
2008 #8 Round of 64
Round of 32
#9 Oregon
#1 Memphis
W 76–69
L 74–77
2009 #13 Round of 64 #4 Washington L 58–71
2019 #5 Round of 64 #12 Liberty L 76–80
2023 #11 First Four #11 Pittsburgh L 59–60
2024 #8 Round of 64 #9 Michigan State L 51–69
2025 #8 Round of 64 #9 Baylor L 72–75

NIT Appearances

The Bulldogs have also participated in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 11 times, achieving a combined record of 13-11. Their best NIT performance was reaching the semifinals in 2007 and 2018, and the championship game in 2021.

Year Round Opponent Result
1979 First Round Alcorn State L 78–80
1990 First Round
Second Round
Baylor
New Orleans
W 84–75
L 60–65
1994 First Round Kansas State L 69–78
1999 First Round Colorado State L 56–69
2001 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Southern Miss
Pittsburgh
Tulsa
W 75–68
W 66–61
L 75–77
2007 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Mississippi Valley State
Bradley
Florida State
West Virginia
W 82–63
W 101–72
W 86–71
L 62–63
2010 First Round
Second Round
Jackson State
North Carolina
W 81–67
L 74–76
2012 First Round Massachusetts L 96–101 2OT
2018 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Nebraska
Baylor
Louisville
Penn State
W 66–59
W 78–77
W 79–56
L 60–75
2021 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals
Saint Louis
Richmond
Louisiana Tech
Memphis
W 74–68
W 68–67
W 84–61
L 64–77
2022 First Round Virginia L 57–60

Honored Athletes

Retired Numbers

Mississippi State has retired one jersey number in honor of Bailey Howell, a distinguished player whose number 52 was retired on February 7, 2009. Howell's contributions were further recognized with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

No. Player Pos. Career No. ret. Ref.
52
Bailey Howell SF / PF 1957–1959 2009 [6][7]

Honored Jerseys

In addition to retired numbers, Mississippi State also honors individuals with banners recognizing their significant contributions to the program. This includes legendary Head Coach Babe McCarthy (1955–1965) and longtime "Voice of the Bulldogs," Jack Cristil (1953–2011), acknowledging their lasting impact.

Player Pos. Tenure
Babe McCarthy Head coach 1955–1965
Jack Cristil Voice of the Bulldogs 1953–2011

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio
Click here to open the "Mississippi State Bulldogs Men S Basketball" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about mississippi_state_bulldogs_men_s_basketball while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

References

References

  1.  Bailey Howell will be celebrated Saturday - Jan 23, 2015
A full list of references for this article are available at the Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional sports advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consulting official team resources, athletic department information, or seeking advice from qualified sports analysts or historians. Always refer to official sources for the most current and accurate details.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.