Mississippi State Bulldogs News Page 2 - College Basketball

Mississippi State faces Georgia Tech following Epps' 21-point game

Mississippi State takes on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets after Jayden Epps scored 21 points in the Bulldogs' 87-81 overtime loss to the SMU Mustangs

DECEMBER 3 • Associated Press

Miller leads SMU against No. 17 Vanderbilt after 28-point showing

SMU faces the No. 17 Vanderbilt Commodores after Kevin Miller scored 28 points in the Mustangs' 87-81 overtime win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs

DECEMBER 3 • Associated Press

Quincy Ballard - Collects double-double Ballard logged 12 points (4-8 FG, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds and one block over 32 minutes during Friday's 87-81 OT loss to SMU.

Impact Ballard had been circling double-doubles of late and finally broke through for his first of the season. The seven-foot center is averaging 7.6 points on 64.9 percent from the field and 6.4 rebounds. He has scored in double digits in three of his last four games and his minutes are on the rise.

NOVEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Achor Achor - Snags 12 boards Achor totaled five points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-7 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals in 38 minutes during Friday's 87-81 OT loss to SMU.

Impact The 6-9 senior has started every game for the Bulldogs, but Friday's game was the first in which he provided either double-digit scoring or rebounding. The Kansas State transfer is mainly on the court to provide a defensive presence and his shooting percentages (25.0 percent from the field, 66.7 percent from the line) leave a lot to be desired. Achor is only playable as a rebounder in SEC-only leagues.

NOVEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Boopie Miller, Jaron Pierre Jr. rally unbeaten SMU past Mississippi State 87-81 in OT

Boopie Miller had six of his 28 points in overtime, Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 24 and SMU beat Mississippi State 87-81 to remain unbeaten

NOVEMBER 29 • Associated Press

Sergej Macura - Doesn't play Friday Macura (foot) didn't play in Friday's game against SMU.

Impact Macura has missed Mississippi State's last three games due to a left foot injury, and he doesn't have a clear timetable to return to action. His next chance to suit up will come against Georgia Tech on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

NOVEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Jayden Epps - Good to go Friday Epps (foot) will play in Friday's game against SMU, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact Epps missed Monday's matchup with New Orleans and was seen wearing a walking boot. However, the guard will be available for Friday night's clash with the Mustangs. Epps has scored in double figures in three straight games, averaging 16.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds across 23.7 minutes during that stretch.

NOVEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

SMU visits Mississippi State after Miller's 25-point outing

SMU visits the Mississippi State Bulldogs after Kevin Miller scored 25 points in the Mustangs' 89-72 win against the Radford Highlanders

NOVEMBER 28 • Associated Press

Hubbard leads Mississippi State against SMU after 28-point performance

Mississippi State hosts the SMU Mustangs after Josh Hubbard scored 28 points in Mississippi State's 81-78 overtime victory over the New Orleans Privateers

NOVEMBER 27 • Associated Press

Kansas State's P.J. Haggerty is AP men's player of the week after averaging 31.7 points in 3 games

Kansas State's P

NOVEMBER 25 • Associated Press

Ja'Borri McGhee - Puts up season high sans Epps McGhee ended Monday's 81-78 OT win over New Orleans with 16 points (5-11 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds, five assists and one steal over 38 minutes.

Impact McGhee was held out of the starting lineup Nov. 21 against New Mexico and limited to just seven minutes, despite the fact he had started the previous three games. His time in the dog house appears to be at an end, however, as the senior shooting guard saw season-bests in minutes played and scoring. The extra run may be partially attributed to the absence of Jayden Epps due to a foot injury, however, so it remains to be seen how the rotation will shake out Friday against SMU.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Amier Ali's bank 3-pointer sends Mississippi State past New Orleans 81-78 in OT

Reserve Amier Ali scored 16 points and banked in a 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left in overtime to help Mississippi State avoid upset by beating New Orleans 81-78

NOVEMBER 25 • Associated Press

Josh Hubbard - Goes for 28 points Hubbard had 28 points (9-21 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 5-12 FT), six rebounds, five assists and one steal in 41 minutes during Monday's 81-78 OT victory over New Orleans.

Impact Hubbard continues to pour in points. He has three straight games of at least 23 points and is leading the SEC with 24.5 points. Despite increased usage, the guard's shooting percentages are up from last season. He is hitting 44.3 percent of his field goals and 37.5 percent of his 3-pointers. The Bulldogs have lost three of their last five games and will be challenged by SMU on Friday. They will need every point Hubbard can produce.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Amier Ali - Surprises with 16 points Ali produced 16 points (6-9 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-3 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal across 22 minutes during Monday's 81-78 OT victory over New Orleans.

Impact The 6-8 sophomore has played himself into the Bulldogs' rotation. He had only scored a combined eight points in the previous three games and did not even play in the opener. He had eight rebounds in the loss to New Mexico on Friday and spun his best performance of the season on Monday. Ali may get more playing time against SMU on Friday.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Sergej Macura - No-go Monday Macura is wearing a walking boot on his left foot and won't play in Monday's game against New Orleans, Sam Sklar of The Clarion Ledger reports.

Impact Macura will miss a second consecutive game due to a left foot injury. The sophomore forward is averaging 4.3 points and 6.3 rebounds across 15.3 minutes per game this season. His next chance to play will come Friday against SMU.

NOVEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Jayden Epps - Won't play Monday Epps is wearing a boot on his left foot and has been ruled out for Monday's game against New Orleans, Sam Sklar of The Clarion Ledger reports.

Impact Specifics regarding Epps' injury are unknown, but the left foot issue will prevent him from playing against New Orleans. It'll be his second absence of the season. Look for Ja'Borri McGhee and King Grace to pick up more playing time. Epps' next chance to play will come Friday against SMU.

NOVEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Mississippi State hosts New Orleans following Hubbard's 29-point performance

Mississippi State takes on the New Orleans Privateers after Josh Hubbard scored 29 points in Mississippi State's 80-78 loss to the New Mexico Lobos

NOVEMBER 23 • Associated Press

Josh Hubbard - Scores season-high 29 Hubbard amassed 29 points (11-25 FG, 6-13 3Pt, 1-3 FT), two rebounds, four assists, one block and three steals in 37 minutes during Friday's 80-78 loss to New Mexico.

Impact Hubbard has been as consistent as anyone in the nation for scoring. He has scored at least 23 points in four of five games. After an early flurry of assists (13 in his first two games), the 6-0 junior has played more selfishly and only has 10 assists in his last three games. You can pencil in another 20-point game for Monday against New Orleans.

NOVEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Jayden Epps - Puts up 21 off bench Epps finished with 21 points (8-17 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 3-5 FT), two rebounds, six assists and one steal over 34 minutes during Friday's 80-78 loss to New Mexico.

Impact Epps scored 19.5 points in the two Hall of Fame Classics games. He was not able to push the Bulldogs into the win column, but it looks like he will be a good scoring complement to Josh Hubbard. Epps also had a season high in assists. He should continue to score well against New Orleans on Monday.

NOVEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Quincy Ballard - Scores six, grabs six boards Ballard ended Friday's 80-78 loss to New Mexico with six points (3-5 FG), six rebounds, one block and one steal across 20 minutes in the Hall of Fame Classic.

Impact Ballard has been a disappointment in the early season. After averaging 10.0 points and 9.2 rebounds for Wichita State last season, the 7-0 senior has struggled in the early going. He has only scored in double digits in one game and has failed to grab more than seven rebounds. Ballard continues to start, but should only be played in deeper SEC-only leagues.

NOVEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Sergej Macura - Dealing with leg injury Macura didn't play against New Mexico on Friday due to a leg injury, Sam Lance of On3.com reports.

Impact The extent of the injury is uncertain for Macura, but there's a chance he might miss more than one game. His next chance to play will come against New Orleans on Monday, Oct. 24.

NOVEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Haggerty erupts for 37 as Kansas State blows past Mississippi State 98-77

NOVEMBER 21 • Associated Press

Josh Hubbard - Scores 23 in loss Hubbard finished with 23 points (7-15 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 8-9 FT), two rebounds, two assists and one block across 32 minutes during Thursday's 98-77 loss to Kansas State.

Impact This was Hubbard's third game of at least 23 points. He has been struggled from long range (32.3 percent), but has compensated by getting to the free throw line (89.7 percent on 7.3 attempts per game). The junior guard will hope to help the Bulldogs avoid losing two games in a row on Friday against New Mexico.

NOVEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Jayden Epps - Puts up 18 points in loss Epps posted 18 points (6-11 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and one assist over 20 minutes during Thursday's 98-77 loss to Kansas State.

Impact Epps' scoring has increased in every game. He missed the game against Iowa State with an undisclosed injury, but has been on the rise since. He has scored a combined 28 points in his last two games. After hitting just two of his first nine 3-pointers, the 6-2 senior saw some of his 3-pointers fall in the loss to the Wildcats.

NOVEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Jones, Mississippi State continue mastery of SE Louisiana with 75-68 win

Shawn Jones Jr. scored 17 points shooting 7 of 10 including 3 of 4 from 3-point range and Mississippi State beat Southeastern Louisiana 75-68

NOVEMBER 16 • Associated Press

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Mississippi State faces Georgia Tech following Epps' 21-point game

Miller leads SMU against No. 17 Vanderbilt after 28-point showing

Boopie Miller, Jaron Pierre Jr. rally unbeaten SMU past Mississippi State 87-81 in OT

SMU visits Mississippi State after Miller's 25-point outing

Hubbard leads Mississippi State against SMU after 28-point performance

Kansas State's P.J. Haggerty is AP men's player of the week after averaging 31.7 points in 3 games

Amier Ali's bank 3-pointer sends Mississippi State past New Orleans 81-78 in OT

Mississippi State hosts New Orleans following Hubbard's 29-point performance

Haggerty erupts for 37 as Kansas State blows past Mississippi State 98-77

Jones, Mississippi State continue mastery of SE Louisiana with 75-68 win