STARKVILLE — Ben Howland’s second season leading the Mississippi State men’s basketball team features a non-conference schedule that includes eight home games in Starkville.
The non-conference schedule, which was released Tuesday also features three games in the Charleston Classic and another game in Jackson.
The Charleston Classic, which will be Nov. 17-20 in South Carolina, features reigning NCAA champion Villanova, Wake Forest, UTEP, Central Florida, Boise State, Western Michigan, and host College of Charleston.
“I feel we have put together a quality schedule that will get us ready for Southeastern Conference play,” Howland said in a statement released by the school. “We face a challenge in Charleston, with the likes of Villanova and Wake Forest.”
MSU will play Southern Mississippi on Dec. 19 at Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson. It is the first game in a four-game series (2016-19). All of the games will be in Jackson. It is the first meeting between the schools since 2001, when MSU won 75-68 in Starkville. MSU leads the series 14-4.
“I’m really excited about adding Southern Miss for four years, and it will be a game both fan bases will look forward to in Jackson and the type that will create a lot of buzz statewide,” Howland said. “It’s great both schools agreed to renew this series.”
MSU will open the season Nov. 11 against Norfolk State in Humphrey Coliseum. Highlights include home games against Oregon State (Dec. 1) and Missouri-Kansas City (Dec. 29). MSU lost to Oregon State 59-49 on Dec. 13, 2014, in Corvallis, Oregon, under coach Rick Ray. MSU lost to UMKC 72-67 last season. The UMKC game will complete the non-conference schedule.
MSU also will play Lehigh (Nov. 25), Northwestern State (Nov. 28), Georgia State (Dec. 4), East Tennessee State (Dec. 14), and Morehead State (Dec. 22).
“We are a young team, but one I’m looking forward to coaching,” Howland said. “They will be tested early, but that’s what you want going into league play.”
MSU’s Southeastern Conference schedule will be announced in August. The Bulldogs will play exhibition games Aug. 2-14 in Italy and Switzerland.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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