What is Mississippi State Ranked in Basketball?
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are one of the most successful college basketball teams in the country. The team has won three Southeastern Conference championships and has made 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, including six Sweet Sixteens and two Elite Eights. The Bulldogs have been consistently ranked in the top 25 nationally in recent years, with a high of No. 7 in the 2020-21 season.
Mississippi State’s Basketball History
The Bulldogs have a long and distinguished basketball history, having been a member of the Southeastern Conference since 1932. The team has had several head coaches throughout its tenure, including Babe McCarthy, Richard Williams, and the legendary Rick Stansbury. The program enjoyed its greatest success under Stansbury, who led the team to five NCAA Tournament appearances, including three Sweet Sixteens and an Elite Eight in 2003.
Mississippi State’s Record in the NCAA Tournament
The Bulldogs have made 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, with a record of 17-17. They have reached the Sweet Sixteen six times and the Elite Eight twice. They have never advanced to the Final Four, however. In their most recent NCAA Tournament appearance, they were eliminated in the second round by Louisiana State University.
Mississippi State’s Current Rank in Basketball
Mississippi State is currently ranked No. 16 in the nation according to the latest AP Top 25 Poll. The Bulldogs were ranked as high as No. 7 earlier in the season and have been in the top 25 since the start of the 2019-20 season. The team is currently 15-10 overall and 8-7 in the SEC, good for seventh place in the conference.
Mississippi State’s Key Players
The Bulldogs have several key players this season, including guards Tyson Carter and Nick Weatherspoon, forwards Abdul Ado and Reggie Perry, and center Abdulhakim Ado. Carter leads the team in scoring, averaging 13.9 points per game, while Perry is second with 13.7 points per game. Weatherspoon leads the team in assists with 4.1 per game, and Ado leads the team in rebounding with 7.7 per game.
Mississippi State’s Upcoming Schedule
The Bulldogs have five games remaining on their regular season schedule, beginning with a home game against Auburn on Saturday, March 6. They then travel to Florida to take on the Gators, followed by games against Tennessee, Alabama, and Ole Miss. The team will then play in the SEC Tournament, which runs from March 9-13 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Mississippi State’s Postseason Outlook
The Bulldogs are currently projected to make the NCAA Tournament, with an outside chance of earning a No. 4 seed. The team has been playing well of late, having won six of their last seven games. They have also beaten several top 25 teams, including No. 10 Alabama, No. 12 Tennessee, and No. 21 LSU.
Mississippi State’s NCAA Tournament Chances
The Bulldogs have a solid chance of making the NCAA Tournament this season. They have a strong RPI ranking, as well as a strong strength of schedule. They are also currently 8-7 in the SEC, which is good for seventh place in the conference. If the team can win a few more games down the stretch, they should be in good shape to make the Big Dance.
Mississippi State’s Biggest Challenges Moving Forward
The Bulldogs will face several challenges as they attempt to make the NCAA Tournament this season. The team has struggled at times on the defensive end, as they are giving up an average of 71.6 points per game. They will also need to find a way to win on the road, as they are just 4-6 away from home this season.
Conclusion
Mississippi State is currently ranked No. 16 in the nation and is projected to make the NCAA Tournament this season. The team has some key players, including Tyson Carter, Nick Weatherspoon, and Abdul Ado, and has won six of its last seven games. The Bulldogs have the potential to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament, but will need to improve their defense and road record down the stretch.