All-time record 1347–1142 (.541) Colors Maroon and White Mascot Bully the Bulldog | Home Away Division Division I (NCAA) First season 1908 | |
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Location Starkville, Mississippi, United States | ||
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.
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History
The Bulldogs have been to the NCAA Tournament ten times, the first time in 1963 and the most recent being 2009. 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.
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. Mississippi State also has several National Basketball Association players who committed to MSU but joined the NBA instead of heading to Starkville for a college career. Some of those names include Jonathan Bender, Monta Ellis, and Travis Outlaw.
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 (Ole Miss). 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.
All-Americans
Notable basketball players who attended and played at Mississippi State University.
SEC West Division titles
The years the Bulldogs won were as follows: 1995, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010
NCAA tournament results
The Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 10 times. Their combined record is 11–10.
NIT results
The Bulldogs have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) eight times. Their combined record is 7–8.