STARKVILLE – TJ Simpkins had one main reason why he committed to Mississippi State out of the transfer portal.
Simpkins averaged 25 minutes, nearly 10 points and a 37% 3-point shooting mark off the bench with Seton Hall last season. He likely could have been a key addition to a lot of rosters out of the portal, but decided on Starkville to continue his college career.
Why was MSU his landing spot?
“Realistically,” Simpkins said, pausing and putting on a big smile before continuing his sentence. “Having a point guard like Josh (Hubbard).”
Hubbard, a fan-favorite who’s led the Bulldogs in scoring each of his three seasons in Starkville, is back for his senior season. He’s increased his scoring from 17.1 points per game as a freshman to 22.1 points per game last season.
Even after a career worst season for him and his head coach Chris Jans, seeing the Bulldogs finish 13-19 with just five SEC wins, Hubbard said his decision to come back wasn’t difficult.
“I knew where I wanted to be,” Hubbard said. “I know Coach Jans and the staff loved me, and I love them.”
Jans was confident Hubbard would be back in the maroon and white after the disappointing last season. When recruiting in the portal, he focused on finding Hubbard scoring help.
Hubbard’s 22 points a game was nine more points than the next closest average last season. The Bulldogs only had two players averaging double digit scoring. He was the SEC’s second-leading scorer, just behind Sacramento Kings first round pick Darius Acuff, but State finished 14th in the 16 team conference in scoring.
MSU added seven pieces through the portal in the offseason, some of whom could make an immediate impact scoring the ball.
RJ Johnson, a redshirt junior guard from Kennesaw State, was 10th in Conference USA in scoring last season, averaging 14.5 points per game. Forward ND Okafor, an Irishman who started 32 games at Washington State last season, averaged 11 a game for the Cougars. The aforementioned Simpkins was the third-leading scorer at Seton Hall last year.
Jans said Hubbard has elevated his leadership role as a senior and just one of five returnees from last year’s roster.
“Hub (is) obviously a great leader,” Kendyl Sanders, who transferred to MSU after playing 32 games at Utah last season, said. “I think that’s really important for every team. Having a guy that’s been sticking here for a long time and knows what he’s doing and can help us get to where we need to be. That played a huge role in my decision.”
Jans said Hubbard is excited about the mood and “renewed sense of energy” in the locker room and on the court during summer practices.
“He’s (Hubbard) seen unfortunately the good, bad and the ugly now in his career,” Jans said. “I know he likes the good… and I think he’s going to do everything in his power to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”
Hubbard and the Bulldogs still have a ways to go before the season tips off. The first game on State’s schedule is against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 2.
Jake is the Mississippi State athletics reporter for The Dispatch.
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