ESPN’s preseason No. 1 men’s basketball team is set to visit The Hump next season.
The SEC released Mississippi State’s home and away matchups for 2026-27 on Thursday, including seven home games, seven road games and three home and away splits. State’s SEC slate hosts games against eight teams in ESPN’s “Way-too-Early Top 25,” including a home contest against ESPN’s top team, Florida.
MSU looks to bounce back from an underwhelming 5-13 conference record last year. The Bulldogs finished third-to-last in the SEC’s final standings. Times and dates for State’s SEC games are yet to be announced.
Home
Florida – The Gators were the reigning national champs in 2025, and played like it in their lone matchup against State. Florida hung 108 points on the Bulldogs in a 108-74 win against MSU in Gainesville. Florida is the top-ranked team in ESPN’s “Way-Too-Early Top 25.”
Kentucky – The Bulldogs traveled to Lexington in early January, falling to the Wildcats 92-68. MSU had it within five points at the half but were outscored 48-29 in the second half. The Wildcats are No. 17 in ESPN’s “Way-too-Early Top 25.”
LSU – MSU won at LSU in late January, 80-66. The Tigers won just three conference games last season, finishing last in the SEC.
Missouri – State lost its two games against Mizzou last season. The Tigers won the initial matchup in Columbia 84-79, and bested the Bulldogs in Starkville 88-64. The Tigers are 21 No. 21 in ESPN’s “Way-Too-Early Top 25.”
Texas A&M – The Aggies won in a decisive 88-68 defeat of MSU in College Station last season.
Texas – MSU opened its conference slate with a 101-98 win over the Longhorns in Austin. Guard Josh Hubbard had 38 points and played 40 minutes. The Longhorns come in at No. 9 in ESPN’s “Way-too-Early Top 25.”
Away
Arkansas – The Razorbacks beat the Bulldogs 88-68 in Starkville last season. Arkansas is No. 11 in ESPN’s “Way-Too-Early Top 25.”
Auburn – State got one of its two home SEC wins against Auburn, taking down the Tigers 91-85. Auburn returned the favor in the SEC tournament, sending the Bulldogs packing with a 79-61 win.
Georgia – MSU ended its conference season with a 102-96 loss against UGA last season
Oklahoma – The Bulldogs beat the Sooners 72-53 in early January. The win was the peak of MSU’s SEC slate and marked a 2-0 start in conference play.
Tennessee – MSU kept it within single digits in its 73-64 loss to the Volunteers last season. Tennessee is sixth in ESPN’s “Way-Too-Early Top 25.”
Vanderbilt – The Commodores won comfortably, 88-56, in Starkville last season. Vandy is 19th in ESPN’s “Way-Too-Early Top 25.”
Home/Away
Alabama – The Crimson Tide beat State twice last season. Alabama won 97-82 in Starkville and 100-75 in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide are ranked No. 15 ESPN’s “Way-Too-Early Top 25.”
Ole Miss – The Bulldogs and Rebels split last season’s series. Ole Miss beat the Bulldogs at the Hump 68-67. MSU avenged its loss with a 90-78 win in Oxford.
South Carolina – The Gamecocks beat MSU 97-89 at home in their lone matchup last year. USC was one of two teams to finish below State in the conference standings.
Jake is the Mississippi State athletics reporter for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
