Every day this week I am profiling one local team and their history in the NCAA Tournament. Today we are looking at the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the most successful of the six Magnolia State D1 basketball schools.
NCAA Tournament appearances
14 (1963, 1991, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025)
Final Four
1 (1996)
NCAA Tournament Record
11-13
NIT Appearances
11
The Mississippi A&M Basketball program began in the 1908-09 season, establishing its presence in the Deep South’s basketball scene. However, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the Bulldogs began to make their mark on the national stage.
(Above: Babe McCarthy took the program to new heights when he took over in 1955.
Under head coach Babe McCarthy, the Bulldogs experienced a golden era in the late 1950s and early 1960s. McCarthy led the team to four SEC regular-season championships between 1959 and 1963. But it would come with controversy. The Bulldogs qualified for the Tournament in 1959, 1961 and 1962, but because they would be competing against black athletes they were not allowed to compete or risk losing state funding. In 1963 this happened again so Mississippi State famously defied state orders in 1963 to participate in their first NCAA Tournament appearance, by sneaking out of Starkville. This historic act of courage, known as the “Game of Change,” saw the Bulldogs play an integrated Loyola University Chicago team, breaking racial barriers in college sports.
(Above: in 1963, for the first time ever Mississippi State competed against black players in their first NCAA Tournament appearance)
Mississippi State has captured several SEC titles, both in the regular season and the conference tournament. Notable championship years include 1959, 1961, 1962, and 1963, all under the leadership of Babe McCarthy. These titles established the Bulldogs as a powerhouse within the SEC during that era.
In the modern era, Mississippi State continued to find success under different coaches. Richard Williams, who led the team in the 1980s and 1990s, guided the Bulldogs to their most significant NCAA Tournament achievement in 1996.
(Above: Richard Williams guided the Bulldogs to their first and only Final Four appearance in 1996.)
The pinnacle of Mississippi State’s NCAA Tournament history came during the 1995-96 season. Bulldogs earned a No. 5 seed in the tournament and embarked on a Cinderella run to the Final Four. Key players like Erick Dampier, Darryl Wilson, and Dante Jones played pivotal roles in this historic achievement.
State defeated VCU, Princeton, UConn, and Cincinnati to reach the Final Four. Although their journey ended with a loss to Syracuse, the Bulldogs’ remarkable run cemented their place in college basketball history.
(Above: 1996 NCAA Tournament, Bulldogs defeat Cincinnati in the Elite to advance to Final Four)
The Bulldogs began the 2000s on a high note, making multiple tournament appearances under head coach Rick Stansbury. The 2001-02 season marked a turning point, as Mississippi State won the SEC Tournament championship and earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That year, they reached the second round before falling to Texas.
(Rick Stansbury guided the Bulldogs from 1998-2012 and coached them to two SEC titles, and six NCAA Tournament appearances)
In 2003-04, the Bulldogs had one of their best seasons in recent history, finishing with a 26-4 record and claiming the SEC regular-season title. As a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, they unfortunately faced a second-round exit at the hands of Xavier. Nevertheless, this team set a standard for success that future squads would aim to replicate.
(Above: Mario Austin, one of the SEC’s leading big men during the early 2000’s)
Mississippi State remained a consistent presence in March Madness throughout the mid-2000s. They made the tournament in 2005, 2008, and 2009, with memorable performances by players like Jamont Gordon, Jarvis Varnado, and Barry Stewart. Varnado, in particular, became a standout shot-blocker, solidifying his place as one of the program’s all-time greats.
The Bulldogs’ 2009 NCAA Tournament run, as a No. 13 seed, was highlighted by their upset victory over Washington in the first round before bowing out to Memphis in the second round. However, the early 2010s saw the program face challenges in rebuilding, as they struggled to maintain their momentum from the previous decade.
(Above: Jarvis Varnado became the NCAA’s All-Time Blocks leader in 2009. He was later drafted by the Miami Heat in the 2nd Round of 2010 NBA Draft)
Under head coach Ben Howland, Mississippi State began to reclaim its status as a competitive force in college basketball. After an extended tournament drought, the Bulldogs returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2019. As a No. 5 seed, they faced Liberty in the first round but were upset in a hard-fought game. Despite the disappointment, this appearance signaled a resurgence for the program and demonstrated the team’s potential under Howland’s leadership.
(Above: 2 Time Bailey Howell Award winner Quindarry Weatherspoon was a star on the Bulldogs from 2015-19)
In 2023, the Bulldogs once again earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, this time as a No. 11 seed. With Chris Jans at the helm in his first season as head coach, Mississippi State demonstrated grit and defensive prowess throughout the season, finishing with a 21-13 record.
Their journey began in the First Four, where they faced off against fellow No. 11 seed Pittsburgh. It was a hard-fought game that came down to the final seconds, but the Bulldogs fell just short, losing 60-59. Despite the heartbreaking result, players like Tolu Smith and Shakeel Moore stood out, representing the team’s resilience and potential for growth under Jans’ leadership.
(Head Coach Chris Jans joined Mississippi State in 2023 and has guided the Bulldogs to three straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament)
Last year In the first round of the tournament, Mississippi State faced the No. 7 seed Maryland Terrapins in a closely contested battle. The Bulldogs leaned on their trademark defensive intensity and the leadership of Tolu Smith, who delivered a double-double performance with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Shakeel Moore added a clutch three-pointer in the final minutes, sealing a 65-62 victory and advancing the Bulldogs to the second round.
In the Round of 32, Mississippi State met the No. 2 seed Marquette Golden Eagles, a team known for their high-powered offense and disciplined play. The Bulldogs put up a valiant effort, with strong contributions from their bench and defensive stands that kept the game within reach. Despite their determination, the Bulldogs ultimately fell 74-68 in a game that highlighted their grit and progress as a program.
Tomorrow the Bulldogs match up against the #9 seeded Baylor Bears from Raleigh, NC in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament
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