Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball
The Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball program represents Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, in men's NCAA Division I basketball. The Bulldogs play in the Southeastern Conference. On March 23, 2015, Mississippi State named former UCLA head coach, Ben Howland as its 20th head basketball coach.
History
The Bulldogs have been to the NCAA Tournament eleven times, the first time in 1963 and the most recent being 2019. Three previous bids were turned down because of a state policy barring collegiate teams from playing in integrated events. The 1963 team, however, famously snuck out of the state in the dead of night to play in what has since been dubbed the "Game of Change".Six of the ten NCAA appearances have been earned in the past 10 seasons under former MSU Head Basketball Coach, Rick Stansbury. They have won 10 conference championships, 4 as a member of the now dissolved Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1916 in addition to 6 SEC titles in 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1991, and 2004. The Bulldogs have won 4 conference tournament championships, one as a member of the Southern Conference in 1923 and three SEC Tournament titles in 1996, 2002, 2009. Mississippi State has several notable alumni including Erick Dampier, Bailey Howell, and Jarvis Varnado.
Coaches
Mississippi State's most successful coaches include Babe McCarthy, Richard Williams, and Rick Stansbury. Babe McCarthy's place in history includes taking his team to the 1963 NCAA Tournament under the cover of darkness despite the Mississippi Governor's court order restricting their participation.Rivals
As in all sports, Mississippi State's rival is the University of Mississippi. Mississippi State leads the series over Ole Miss 142–112. Former MSU Head Coach Rick Stansbury is 21–8 vs the Rebels.Mississippi State and Alabama are considered rivals on the court, with only 90 miles separating the two programs. The Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 120–74.
Former players
All-Americans
Notable basketball players who attended and played at Mississippi State University.- Arnett Moultrie, 1st round, 2012 NBA draft.
- Jarvis Varnado, 2nd round, 2010 NBA draft. NCAA career record holder with 564 blocked shots. One of only two college players to have at least 1000 points, 1000 rebounds, and 500 blocked shots, the other being David Robinson.
- Lawrence Roberts, 2nd round, 2005 NBA draft.
- Derrick Zimmerman, 2nd round, 2003 NBA draft.
- Tyrone Washington, 2nd round, 1999 NBA draft.
- Dontae' Jones, 1st round, 1996 NBA draft.
- Erick Dampier, 1st round, 1996 NBA draft.
- Jeff Malone, 1st round, 1983 NBA draft. Two time NBA All-Star.
- Rickey Brown, 1st round, 1980 NBA draft.
- Wiley Peck, 1st round, 1979 NBA draft.
- Bailey Howell, 1st round, 1959 NBA draft. Six time NBA All-Star. Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.
SEC West Division titles
Postseason
NCAA tournament results
The Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 11 times. Their combined record is 11–11.| 1963 | Sweet Sixteen Regional 3rd Place Game | Loyola–Chicago Bowling Green | L 51–61 W 65–60 | |
| 1991 | #5 | Round of 64 | #12 Eastern Michigan | L 56–76 |
| 1995 | #5 | Round of 64 Round of 32 Sweet Sixteen | #12 Santa Clara
| W 75–67W 78–64 L 67–86 |
| 1996 | #5 | Round of 64 Round of 32 Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four | #12 VCU
| W 58–51W 63–41 W 60–55 W 73–63 L 69–77 |
| 2002 | #3 | Round of 64 Round of 32 | #14 McNeese State
| W 70–58L 64–68 |
| 2003 | #5 | Round of 64 | #12 Butler | L 46–47 |
| 2004 | #2 | Round of 64 Round of 32 | #15 Monmouth
| W 85–52L 74–89 |
| 2005 | #9 | Round of 64 Round of 32 | #8 Stanford
| W 93–70L 55–63 |
| 2008 | #8 | Round of 64 Round of 32 | #9 Oregon
| W 76–69L 74–77 |
| 2009 | #13 | Round of 64 | #4 Washington | L 58–71 |
| 2019 | #5 | Round of 64 | #12 Liberty | L 76-80 |
NIT results
The Bulldogs have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament nine times. Their combined record is 10–9.| 1979 | First Round | Alcorn State | L 78–80 |
| 1990 | First Round Second Round | Baylor New Orleans | W 84–75 L 60–65 |
| 1994 | First Round | Kansas State | L 69–78 |
| 1999 | First Round | Colorado State | L 56–69 |
| 2001 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals | Southern Miss Pittsburgh Tulsa | W 75–68 W 66–61 L 75–77 |
| 2007 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | Mississippi Valley State Bradley Florida State West Virginia | W 82–63 W 101–72 W 86–71 L 62–63 |
| 2010 | First Round Second Round | Jackson State North Carolina | W 81–67 L 74–76 |
| 2012 | First Round | Massachusetts | L 96–101 2OT |
| 2018 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | Nebraska Baylor Louisville Penn State | W 66–59 W 78–77 W 79–56 L 60–75 |