Utah game thread

[msstate7]

We have lots of guards... let's use one at the point, Jans

[Ranchdawg]

I am in!

[RockyDog]

The white dude they hyping for Utah can’t even get a shot off

[Ranchdawg]

We gotta step up our defense. The Utes are playing tight defense.

[msstate7]

Kicked ball

[parabrave]

Not a good time for Josh to go cold.

[RockyDog]

Not gonna have much success if our frontcourt has no interest in defending the paint

[msstate7]

Jones and cam will lead to no offense against good teams

[RockyDog]

Keyshawn sucks. Kugel needs his minutes

[msstate7]

Murphy at the 5 is gonna get us wrecked in the sec

[RockyDog]

Guess we know why our scheduling is such crap. Gotta stack the easy wins. Totally outclassed by these Mormons

[msstate7]

Getting our butts kicked

[msstate7]

If Murphy shoots another 3, I'm burning the hump to the ground

[DawgFromOxford]

Our 3 point shooting looks like last year right now

[msstate7]

Our 3 point shooting looks like last year right now

And good looks. Just a horrible performance

[RockyDog]

Guards suck again. Hell of a time to ignore the post positions. We gonna finish in the bottom of the league

[DEDawg]

Shot selection isn?t great but it isn?t awful. Some of these should fall in the second half. defense however has been pitiful

[DawgFromOxford]

finished the half going 7ish minutes without a field goal...

[somebodyshotmypaw]

We are lucky to only be down 11. We need to chip away in the second half. We have depth, but we have missed open three pointers, easy layups, etc.

[R2Dawg]

First half was more about us than Utah. We can't hit anything, standing around on O, no movement, every loose ball bounces off our hands right into Utah hands.

I don't think we play this bad in 2nd.

[PMDawg]

.

[chef dixon]

We will be fine win or lose today

[PMDawg]

.

[RockyDog]

At least our coach doesn't beat women.

But what does that have to do with Utah?

[somebodyshotmypaw]

First half was more about us than Utah. We can't hit anything, standing around on O, no movement, every loose ball bounces off our hands right into Utah hands.

I don't think we play this bad in 2nd.

I agree.

[msstate7]

Murphy playing well now

[PMDawg]

.

[RockyDog]

Never any doubt!!!

[msstate7]

Keep up the energy

[RockyDog]

Please take note mods. I thought we didn't allow Rebel trolls.

STFU asshole. I’m not a Rebel. Stop being a whiny bitch and grow a pair

[PMDawg]

.

[HoopsDawg]

Teams are daring Jones and Matthews to shoot.

[msstate7]

Teams are daring Jones and Matthews to shoot.

Don't like them together esp without Hubbard

[ScoobaDawg]

Funny how many times you've had to post "I'm not a Rebel!". Lol

Because idiots like you won't drop it even though I've said to ...

And reporting a comment you don't like isn't gonna do a damn thing .

[ScoobaDawg]

Matthew's with 2 ft and Dawgs take the lead 45-44 15min left .

[PMDawg]

.

[msstate7]

I like clary, but he's been out of control this half. Settle down

[LC Dawg]

Defense is more active this half. This team will never be dominant on defense so they have to play with a lot of effort and be disruptive by tipping passes, winning 50/50 balls, etc.

[ScoobaDawg]

Must be fun to break your own rules and choose when to enforce them and when not to you moronic piece of shit.

So...you accuse me of breaking the rules. Which I didn't .
Then you threaten to beat my ass in the reported comment


Are you that sad we are winning ?

[LC Dawg]

Utah has some pretty big foul trouble.

[HoopsDawg]

Need Cam on the floor

[msstate7]

I think we shoot like 25% from point blank

[DawgFromOxford]

I think we shoot like 25% from point blank

Frustrating how many we miss at the rim

[HoopsDawg]

4 on Cam. Crap.

[EdwardDrayton]

I think we shoot like 25% from point blank

Hard to believe a team having this much trouble finishing at the rim. It's incredible.

[HoopsDawg]

Pls get to the under 4

[HoopsDawg]

Pls get to the under 4

Horrible lineup by Jans. Let Utah back in it. WTF

[R2Dawg]

Don't like the sub when we were rolling.

[RockyDog]

Bad coaching and lineup in the last couple of minutes. I get you are trying to get Hubb an breather but they just gave em 5 easy points

[LC Dawg]

Horrible lineup by Jans. Let Utah back in it. WTF
Yeah, that was bad. Not sure what Jans was thinking.

[HoopsDawg]

I really thought Kugel was a better shooter than what he's shown so far.

[msstate7]

Rather can pass there. You know they're gonna foul

[msstate7]

Huge FTs

[msstate7]

Atta boy, cam

[LC Dawg]

Cam with 4 huge FTs.

[ScoobaDawg]

19.3 left Dawgs up 4 timeout at midcourt

[EdwardDrayton]

How ironic Utah misses the point blank there.

[HoopsDawg]

Good win. Especially with the horrible 3 point shooting. Great game's by non-portal players Murphy, Cam and Hubbard. Kugel played good too.

[ScoobaDawg]

Dawgs win again

[chef dixon]

These always help come March.

Hubbard dragging his nuts. He will be a tier above anyone else on the court this year in most of our games.

[EdwardDrayton]

Very classy Shawn.

[LC Dawg]

Very nice win. You aren't going to play well every game but it's great to win when you don't.

[R2Dawg]

Wrap it. This team showed you what they can do when they lock in. Utah is a good team and this will be a really good win come tourney time.

Murphy stepped up, Kugel, Cam but we got Hubbard and a game is never out of reach.

[EdwardDrayton]

Much like SELA, it wasn't pretty, but it's a W. On to SMU.

[NCMSTFAN]

It wasn't pretty but it was a our best win pf the season. I'll take it

[LC Dawg]

Playing this in Southhaven will be important come tourney time. It should be at worst a Q2 win with a much better shot at Q1 than if we played in Starkville.

[basedog]

Very good early win. Awesome second half.

[RockyDog]

Final 4 team. Book it!

[somebodyshotmypaw]

Playing this in Southhaven will be important come tourney time. It should be at worst a Q2 win with a much better shot at Q1 than if we played in Starkville.

Agreed. This is a neutral site, not a home game. At the end of the year, if we are on the bubble, this win/loss will matter.

[parabrave]

Good win tonite/

[AROB44]

Final 4 team. Book it!

Changed your mind from your previous post?
Guards suck again. Hell of a time to ignore the post positions. We gonna finish in the bottom of the league

[somebodyshotmypaw]

We need improvements on the inside. Cam needs to stay out of foul trouble, Murphy needs to be active, and Nwoko needs to improve and give us good minutes on the defensive end. I like Kuegel, and we know Hubbard will score. Those two are key. But Keyshawn Murphy will have a huge impact this year (positive or negative). We need good Keyshawn every game. If we get bad Keyshawn we are in trouble.

[basedog]

LOL

[RockyDog]

Changed your mind from your previous post?
Guards suck again. Hell of a time to ignore the post positions. We gonna finish in the bottom of the league

1-16 3pt shooting from bodies not named Hubbard. 5 points from guards not named Hubbard. Got to have much better production than that. Whatever was said to wake up lazy Keyshawn at half needs to be bottled and sold. And I think you see that Cam, Kugel, and Melendez are the keys to defending with a little Nwoko sprinkled in there. Jones is good for spurts but Kugel needs to be the one getting the minutes

[Coach34]

Our post D is not very good right now. A true 5 will eat us alive. Thats got to get better.

Shooting will come around

[Tripp McNeely]

Our post D is not very good right now. A true 5 will eat us alive. Thats got to get better.

Shooting will come around

Yep, Keyshawn played good on the offensive end, but he was getting abused on the other end

[basedog]

This team will get better. Lots of newcomers learning to play together. Winning is never ugly.

[Coach34]

Yep, Keyshawn played good on the offensive end, but he was getting abused on the other end

You are correct Sir and I guess thats the trade off. Most 5's will struggle guarding him as well because he can actually hit a 3 from time to time. His length is great but he has to get more physical

[HoopsDawg]

Our post D is not very good right now. A true 5 will eat us alive. Thats got to get better.

Shooting will come around

That was a big portal fail, unfortunately.

[EdwardDrayton]

You are correct Sir and I guess thats the trade off. Most 5's will struggle guarding him as well because he can actually hit a 3 from time to time. His length is great but he has to get more physical

Lest it be overlooked, Cam and KeShawn led the team at the free throw line, each sinking 8 of 10. Those were HUGE. Crazy that efficiency coming from that position.

[NCMSTFAN]

Our post D is not very good right now. A true 5 will eat us alive. Thats got to get better.

Shooting will come around

I agree but we are so much better around the perimeter this season so that helps off set some of our woes in the post.

Jans has shown he will use different lineups and we do have a 7'0" 245 pound Gai Chol and 6'11 250 pound Jermemy Foemana on the bench who we can throw out at bigs as well.

I know we struggled some today but I still really like this team. We have a tough game at SMU coming up so getting this win was huge for us. I think we can win at SMU too

[smootness]

We will see if he ends up with the best career, but I think I can already say Hubbard is the best player we have ever had here. Jeff Malone would have something to say about it, Dontae Jones was unreal for a few weeks, Dampier was great, LR had an incredible year, and I am not really including Bailey Howell, but I would take Hubbard over everyone. Assuming he sticks around, he may end up being the best player in the country before he is done. If he was 6 inches taller, he would already be getting serious playing time in the NBA at the moment.

[Coach34]

We will see if he ends up with the best career, but I think I can already say Hubbard is the best player we have ever had here. Jeff Malone would have something to say about it, Dontae Jones was unreal for a few weeks, Dampier was great, LR had an incredible year, and I am not really including Bailey Howell, but I would take Hubbard over everyone. Assuming he sticks around, he may end up being the best player in the country before he is done. If he was 6 inches taller, he would already be getting serious playing time in the NBA at the moment.

Hubbard is not as good as Darryl Wilson. I'll die on that hill. Hubbard, like Wilson, wont ever do anything in the NBA because of his height. Hubbard would be best served to play 4 years of college basketball and enjoy the ride

[parabrave]

We will see if he ends up with the best career, but I think I can already say Hubbard is the best player we have ever had here. Jeff Malone would have something to say about it, Dontae Jones was unreal for a few weeks, Dampier was great, LR had an incredible year, and I am not really including Bailey Howell, but I would take Hubbard over everyone. Assuming he sticks around, he may end up being the best player in the country before he is done. If he was 6 inches taller, he would already be getting serious playing time in the NBA at the moment.

Timmy will always be my favorite/

[Coach34]

we do have a 7'0" 245 pound Gai Chol and 6'11 250 pound Jermemy Foemana on the bench who we can throw out at bigs as well.

Neither saw the floor today. That tells me all I need to know

[EdwardDrayton]

Neither saw the floor today. That tells me all I need to know

^^^^^^^^

[smootness]

Hubbard is not as good as Darryl Wilson. I'll die on that hill. Hubbard, like Wilson, wont ever do anything in the NBA because of his height. Hubbard would be best served to play 4 years of college basketball and enjoy the ride

Love Darryl Wilson and their games are very similar. But I think Hubbard has a quicker release, better handles, and more athleticism. I just think he has a better ability to take over a game.

Obviously he likely will not do much in the NBA. When I say I am assuming he stays, I mean in reference to the portal.

[NCMSTFAN]

Neither saw the floor today. That tells me all I need to know

No it doesn't. You forget how much Gai contributed last season when Tolu was out the first several games of the season. He can help us down there. Neither played tonight because of matchups.. Gai especially can be used and he will be

[EdwardDrayton]

No it doesn't. You forget how much Gai contributed last season when Tolu was out the first several games of the season. He can help us down there. Neither played tonight because of matchups.. Gai especially can be used and he will be

We're usually in lockstep NC. But in this instance just don't see Gai contributing in relevant situations. Hopefully that will change. We certainly could use him.

[HoopsDawg]

My starting 5 vs SMU:

Hubbard, Harris, Kugel, Cam, Key

[NCMSTFAN]

We will see if he ends up with the best career, but I think I can already say Hubbard is the best player we have ever had here. Jeff Malone would have something to say about it, Dontae Jones was unreal for a few weeks, Dampier was great, LR had an incredible year, and I am not really including Bailey Howell, but I would take Hubbard over everyone. Assuming he sticks around, he may end up being the best player in the country before he is done. If he was 6 inches taller, he would already be getting serious playing time in the NBA at the moment.

Yes Josh Hubbard is the best player we have ever had here. I promise you if Hubbard was 6'4" this wouldn't even be a discussion. We've never had a player with his skills, shooting and consistency. Hubbard would be on an NBA roster right now if he was 5 inches taller. He is better than Donte Jones, Wilson, Bowers, Zimmerman, Gordon, Bost all of the above. Whoever your favorite MSU player of all time, Hubbard is better than. His only weakness is his size and unfortunately in the game of basketball that's a big deal

[NCMSTFAN]

We're usually in lockstep NC. But in this instance just don't see Gai contributing in relevant situations. Hopefully that will change. We certainly could use him.

I understand you being reluctant but Chol will be an option when we go against bigger teams. We don't have an inside presence other than him. We didn't need him tonight becsuse of our match-up but he will be needed at some point. I may be 100% wrong but I feel like we will see Gai Chol more when we face teams with true bigs

[DawgFromOxford]

Big time win today for multiple reasons.
1. We dug ourselves a decent hole the first half and battled back. Took the lead gave it up and then battled back again. A lot of great fight from the team today.
2. ?Neutral? site game will be huge for analytics down the stretch.
3. It was nice to see us on ESPN and not lay an egg. That?s how you continue to build momentum and excitement for a program.

[basedog]

Big time win today for multiple reasons.
1. We dug ourselves a decent hole the first half and battled back. Took the lead gave it up and then battled back again. A lot of great fight from the team today.
2. ?Neutral? site game will be huge for analytics down the stretch.
3. It was nice to see us on ESPN and not lay an egg. That?s how you continue to build momentum and excitement for a program.

Our basketball future looks bright. Jans is building program.

[mckeen]

It would be insane to suggest ANYONE has been better than Bailey, and maybe even Leland Mitchell or Red Stroud. Let?s not get carried away so early.

[tcdog70]

Best player ever?--what about Q, Ricky Brown, and really the GOAT Bailey. Chuckie Evans for sure the best PG.

[MadDawg]

Yes Josh Hubbard is the best player we have ever had here. I promise you if Hubbard was 6'4" this wouldn't even be a discussion. We've never had a player with his skills, shooting and consistency. Hubbard would be on an NBA roster right now if he was 5 inches taller. He is better than Donte Jones, Wilson, Bowers, Zimmerman, Gordon, Bost all of the above. Whoever your favorite MSU player of all time, Hubbard is better than. His only weakness is his size and unfortunately in the game of basketball that's a big deal

Best player ever? Nope.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Best player ever? Nope.

By the time his career is over, Josh will be in the Top 2 or 3 with Bailey Howell and Jeff Malone. Right now, he's probably on the same tier as a Timmy Bowers or Derrick Zimmerman or Daryl Wilson. If he continues on his path this year, he will be in that Q or Varnado tier. If he comes back next year, which I believe he will, he will break into that Bailey Howell and Malone tier. He's an incredible talent, but he's not the greatest we've ever had here.

[R2Dawg]

By the time his career is over, Josh will be in the Top 2 or 3 with Bailey Howell and Jeff Malone. Right now, he's probably on the same tier as a Timmy Bowers or Derrick Zimmerman or Daryl Wilson. If he continues on his path this year, he will be in that Q or Varnado tier. If he comes back next year, which I believe he will, he will break into that Bailey Howell and Malone tier. He's an incredible talent, but he's not the greatest we've ever had here.

Agree he ain't the best yet but in two more years he could be pending on what happens. Way too early to claim that. He is a great talent though. Boy we've had some good ones over the years.

[Coach34]

Yes Josh Hubbard is the best player we have ever had here. I promise you if Hubbard was 6'4" this wouldn't even be a discussion. We've never had a player with his skills, shooting and consistency. Hubbard would be on an NBA roster right now if he was 5 inches taller. He is better than Donte Jones, Wilson, Bowers, Zimmerman, Gordon, Bost all of the above. Whoever your favorite MSU player of all time, Hubbard is better than. His only weakness is his size and unfortunately in the game of basketball that's a big deal

His size is a factor tho and he has had trouble finishing around the basket. Wilson had that thick chest that allowed him to finish better. 1st season stats:

FG%- Wilson 42.4...Hubb 38.5
PPG- Wilson 16.2....Hubb 17.1
3 Pt %- Wilson 37%...Hubb 35.5%
FT%- Wilson 80.7%...Hubb 85.3%
Steals- Wilson 1.6...Hubb 0.7
Reb- Wilson 3.4...Hubb 2.2
Asst- Wilson 2.5...Hubb 1.7

Very similar stats with 00 having the edge. Hubbard is really good but I'd still take Wilson especially considering Wilson had to share the ball with other viable scorers. Hubbard is certainly Option 1 for this team

[msstate7]

His size is a factor tho and he has had trouble finishing around the basket. Wilson had that thick chest that allowed him to finish better. 1st season stats:

FG%- Wilson 42.4...Hubb 38.5
PPG- Wilson 16.2....Hubb 17.1
3 Pt %- Wilson 37%...Hubb 35.5%
FT%- Wilson 80.7%...Hubb 85.3%
Steals- Wilson 1.6...Hubb 0.7
Reb- Wilson 3.4...Hubb 2.2
Asst- Wilson 2.5...Hubb 1.7

Very similar stats with 00 having the edge. Hubbard is really good but I'd still take Wilson especially considering Wilson had to share the ball with other viable scorers. Hubbard is certainly Option 1 for this team

It would be more fair if this is revisited after this season. That's Wilson sophomore year vs Hubbard freshman year

[Gutter Cobreh]

Good teams win; great teams cover... We haven't covered the last two games...

[Commercecomet24]

Our basketball future looks bright. Jans is building program.

Base is right again. Basketball is on the rise.

[Coach34]

It would be more fair if this is revisited after this season. That's Wilson sophomore year vs Hubbard freshman year

But Wilson had to sit out his whole freshman season. Thats why I said 1st season.

[Rawdawg]

Yes Josh Hubbard is the best player we have ever had here. I promise you if Hubbard was 6'4" this wouldn't even be a discussion. We've never had a player with his skills, shooting and consistency. Hubbard would be on an NBA roster right now if he was 5 inches taller. He is better than Donte Jones, Wilson, Bowers, Zimmerman, Gordon, Bost all of the above. Whoever your favorite MSU player of all time, Hubbard is better than. His only weakness is his size and unfortunately in the game of basketball that's a big deal

According to Bart Torvik, Hub is currently out pacing the advanced metrics of Zach Edey from last year.

[NCMSTFAN]

My starting 5 vs SMU:

Hubbard, Harris, Kugel, Cam, Key

I like this lineup. I saw some glimpses of what Kugel can do yesterday against Utah and I'd love to see him get the most minutes there. Shawn Jones plays good defense so we will need that from him but I'd like tongue Kugel get the most minutes at that spot

[NCMSTFAN]

His size is a factor tho and he has had trouble finishing around the basket. Wilson had that thick chest that allowed him to finish better. 1st season stats:

FG%- Wilson 42.4...Hubb 38.5
PPG- Wilson 16.2....Hubb 17.1
3 Pt %- Wilson 37%...Hubb 35.5%
FT%- Wilson 80.7%...Hubb 85.3%
Steals- Wilson 1.6...Hubb 0.7
Reb- Wilson 3.4...Hubb 2.2
Asst- Wilson 2.5...Hubb 1.7

Very similar stats with 00 having the edge. Hubbard is really good but I'd still take Wilson especially considering Wilson had to share the ball with other viable scorers. Hubbard is certainly Option 1 for this team

Good points, but have you seen Hubbard finishing around the basket this season? He has had some really good drives and finishes, floaters etc already to start the season. You can tell he worked on that.

I respect your points but I'll stand by what I said, Josh Hubbard is the most talented player we've had in my opinion. I love all those other guys mentioned but to be doing what he does, as consistently as he does at 5'10 is rare... again I think we can all agree Hubbard would be a lottery pick if he was 5 in he's taller.

[NCMSTFAN]

According to Bart Torvik, Hub is currently out pacing the advanced metrics of Zach Edey from last year.

I'd like to see that. Do you have a link?

[basedog]

Base is right again. Basketball is on the rise.

U da Man 24!

[Rawdawg]

I'd like to see that. Do you have a link?

You have to toggle back and forth between the two seasons. But Edey was at a 15.5 BPM and a 128 offensive rating and Hub is at a 17.6 BPM and an offensive rating of 162.6

[Rawdawg]

You have to toggle back and forth between the two seasons. But Edey was at a 15.5 BPM and a 128 offensive rating and Hub is at a 17.6 BPM and an offensive rating of 162.6

https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&cvalue=SEC&year=2025&start=20241101&end=20250501

He’s currently playing as the best player in the SEC

[NCMSTFAN]

You have to toggle back and forth between the two seasons. But Edey was at a 15.5 BPM and a 128 offensive rating and Hub is at a 17.6 BPM and an offensive rating of 162.6

From what you have seen up until now where do you have Hubbard?

[NCMSTFAN]

https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&cvalue=SEC&year=2025&start=20241101&end=20250501

He’s currently playing as the best player in the SEC

The kid is special.. He literally went toe to toe with Reed Shephard and Dalton Knecht last year as a true Freshman. 2 guys who are currently having good NBA seasons. Knecht just had 27 points the other night for the Lakers. Hubbard is that special offensively.

I'm not trying to over sell him but I don't think he gets the National respect he deserves, again... its because of his height.

[Rawdawg]

From what you have seen up until now where do you have Hubbard?

This isn’t hyperbolic, his metrics are consistent with first team all Americans. Granted 4 games in etc etc, but the numbers are what they are and he’s playing at an elite level.

[StarkVegasSteve]

The kid is special.. He literally went toe to toe with Reed Shephard and Dalton Knecht last year as a true Freshman. 2 guys who are currently having good NBA seasons. Knecht just had 27 points the other night for the Lakers. Hubbard is that special offensively.

I'm not trying to over sell him but I don't think he gets the National respect he deserves, again... its because of his height.

No it's because he plays at Mississippi State. If he was doing this at Duke, KU, UK, Arky, etc. he'd have been a front runner for national player of the year coming into the year. Hell, had he done this at OM(thanks again Keith for firing Kermit) he'd have been 1st team Preseason All SEC

[somebodyshotmypaw]

Good teams win; great teams cover... We haven't covered the last two games...

This is the dumbest post I have ever seen on a message board.

[NCMSTFAN]

This isn’t hyperbolic, his metrics are consistent with first team all Americans. Granted 4 games in etc etc, but the numbers are what they are and he’s playing at an elite level.

Ok, so whats your opinion on where he stands in terms of State basketball history

[NCMSTFAN]

No it's because he plays at Mississippi State. If he was doing this at Duke, KU, UK, Arky, etc. he'd have been a front runner for national player of the year coming into the year. Hell, had he done this at OM(thanks again Keith for firing Kermit) he'd have been 1st team Preseason All SEC

I agree 10000 percent! And this is why I personally plan to sing Josh Hubbard praises all year! He deserves it. I hope everyone pays attention

[Rawdawg]

Ok, so whats your opinion on where he stands in terms of State basketball history

The best guard of the 3 point era. I put Malone in a category by himself because without a 3 point line it’s just hard to compare the two.