Postgame Notes: State vs. Jackson State

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State finished its season-opening 3-game homestand with a 98-57 rout of Jackson State on Monday evening at Humphrey Coliseum.
During the homestand, the Bulldogs outscored their opponents, 286-189, and by an average of 32.3 points per game.
State had 6 players secure double figures for the first time since at Arkansas on March 8, 2025 and the 3rd time under Coach Jans.
The Bulldogs broke away from a 19-19 deadlock with 10:12 left in the first half thanks in large part to a 17-2 flurry over the next 5:37 to snatch a 38-21 advantage with 4:35 remaining.
The run was sparked by Josh Hubbard's 8 points sparked by a pair of treys couple with 5 points courtesy of Tajuan Simpkins and 4 points from Kimani Hamilton.
The Maroon and White would take a 51-29 lead into the locker room as the trio of guards of Hubbard, Simpkins and RJ Johnson would combine for 29 points on a combined 9-of-13 shooting.
State continued to cruise in the second 20 minutes and pushed to its largest lead of 43 points, 98-55, inside the game's final minute on a Jalyn Collingwood driving layup.
State has won its first 3 games in 4 of its 5 seasons under Coach Jans.
The Bulldogs have compiled a 45-8 mark versus non-SEC opponents during the regular season under Coach Jans fueled by wins in 27 of 29 non-conference home outings at Humphrey Coliseum.
State is 3-0 this season and 62-11 over the last five seasons under Coach Jans when leading at the half.
The Bulldogs are 3-0 this season and 25-6 over the last five seasons under Coach Jans during the month of November.
State dominated the glass and outrebounded the Tigers by a 49-21 margin. The Maroon and White have outrebounded its opponents, 138-81 and by a 46-27 margin, in their opening 3 games.
The Bulldogs are 3-0 this season and 60-21 over the last five seasons under Coach Jans when winning the battle of the boards.
State ripped 8 steals, each recorded by a different player.
The Bulldogs are 2-0 this season and 12-3 over the last five seasons under Coach Jans when scoring 90+ points.
Taking it a step further, State is 2-0 this season and has won 32 of 34 decisions when holding its opponent to 60 points or less.
The Bulldogs remain undefeated against Jackson State, 8-0, and improved to 43-5 against current members of the SWAC.
State buried 39-of-67 from the floor (58.2 percent), hit on 9-of-23 from three-point territory (39.1 percent) and connected on an 11-15 clip at the free throw line (73.3 percent).
The Bulldogs had 21 assists on 39 made baskets as nine players handed out multiple assists.
State converted on 29 of its 39 baskets inside the paint and dominated the interior, 58-20, in paint points.
The Bulldogs collected 21 of the game's 30 points off turnovers and garnered 13 of the game's 15 points on second-chance opportunities.
State is 2-0 this season and 28-8 over the last five seasons under Coach Jans when shooting 50 percent or higher.
Conversely, Jackson State was held to a 21-of-60 shooting effort (35.0 percent), made 10-of-30 of its three-pointers (30.0 percent) and tallied a 5-for-7 mark at the charity stripe (71.4 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 85th consecutive game over the past four seasons (01/27/2024-11/09/2026) where he has led the team in scoring in 58 of those 85 outings (68.2 percent).
Authored a 14-point, 3-rebound and 2-assist performance where he was a team-leading +35 when he was on the court.
The senior guard now has 2001 career points which has allowed him to remain in 4th place on State's all-time scoring list. He sits 12 points shy of passing Quinndary Weatherspoon (2016-17-18-19) for 3rd place.
Hubbard became the 4th player at State and the 29th player in SEC history to reach 2,000 career points.
The Madison native passed LSU's Tasmin Mitchell (2006-07-08-09-10) and Auburn's Eddie Johnson (1974-75-76-77) to move into 29th place on the SEC's list.
Notched double figures for the 96th time over his 104 career games fueled by a current run of 15 consecutive outings (01/28/2026-11/09/2026).
The 96 games of 10+ points allowed Hubbard to move one game away from tying Darryl Wilson (1994-95-96) on State's all-time list.
Drained multiple three's for the 12th straight game (02/11/2026-11/09/2026) and the 86th time in his career.
Hubbard now has 320 career triples which puts him 6 treys away from passing Tennessee's Santiago Vescovi (2020-21-22-23-24) for 8th place on the SEC's all-time list.

RJ Johnson

Has made 25 of 28 career starts over the last two seasons between Mississippi State and Kennesaw State.
Attributed12 points to go along with a season's best 5 board and 2 assists.
Scored double figures in 16 of his last 18 games (01/28/2026-11/09/2026) stemming back to last season at Kennesaw State.
Posted his 2nd effort of 10+ points this season and his 35th career outing with double figures.
His teams are 23-12 when Johnson provides 10+ points.
Handed out multiple assists in 43 of 67 career games.

Kimani Hamilton

Made his 121th career appearance and his 109th consecutive start over the last four seasons between High Point, UNLV and State.
Fired in a season-high 11 points and added 5 rebounds.
The 11 points brought Hamilton one away from reaching 1,500 for his career.
Recorded double figures for the 2nd consecutive time in Maroon and White and for the 81st time in his career.
Collected 5+ rebounds for the 72nd time in his career.

Thomas Bassong

Started for the 20th time in 36 career games over the last two seasons between Mississippi State and Florida State.
Stuffed the stats sheet with 10 points and shared the team lead with 8 rebounds.
Marked the 2nd time this season and the 7th time in his career with 10+ points.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds in his first three games in Maroon and White and for the 12th time during his career.
Created a season-high 2 steals, his first effort this season and his 6th career outing with multiple steals.

ND Okafor

Made his 106th career appearance with 35 of his 37 career starts over the last two seasons between Mississippi State and Washington State.
Picked up 2 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Recorded a block in all 3 games this season and has at least one rejection in 51 of 67 games since the start of 2024-25.

BENCH

State outscored Jackson State, 49-44, in bench points. During its opening 3 games, the Bulldogs have posted 142 bench points, an average of 47.3 points per contest.
Tristan Reed nearly compiled a double-double with 14 points on 7-of-10 from the floor. He hauled down a team-leading 8 rebounds and handed out 3 assists.
Collected 5+ rebounds in 2 of 3 games on the season and worked his way to 5 of his 8 boards on the offensive end.
Swatted a rejection in all three matchups this season.
Tajaun Simpkins complimented with 12 points while going 5-for-6 from the field along with a pair of assists
Double digit points in 2 of 3 outings this season and the 44th time that Simpkins has scored double figures.
His teams are 30-14 when Simpkins scores 10+ points.
King Grace and Willie Burnett III both finished with 6 points apiece.
Grace added 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
The 2nd time this season and the 2nd time in his career with 5+ boards.
Kendyl Sanders contributed 5 points, 6 rebounds and a season's best 2 assists.
Recorded his 2nd career multi assist game.
Jalyn Collingwood chipped in 4 points, 2 rebounds, and a block.
Tee Bartlett rounded out the scoring for State with 2 points.

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Players Mentioned

Tee Bartlett

Thomas Bassong

Willie Burnett III

Jalyn Collingwood

King Grace

Kimani Hamilton

Josh Hubbard

RJ Johnson

ND Okafor

Tristan Reed

Kendyl Sanders

Tajuan Simpkins

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