CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Thursday, Mississippi State basketball made an NCAA Tournament appearance for the fourth time since 2009. This marks the fourth time in as many visits that the Bulldogs are returning to Starkville after only one March Madness contest.
The No. 8 seed Bulldogs (21-14) were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday at the Spectrum Center, losing 69-51 against No. 9 seed Michigan State (20-14).
Mississippi State fell behind 12 years ago. Although the Bulldogs cut the deficit to five at the end of the first half, they struggled to keep it within 10 during the second half.
On the other hand, Mississippi State couldn’t string together 16 turnovers despite Michigan State forcing 16 turnovers. The Spartans shot 50% from the field and had three players score in double figures.
Tolu Smith is struggling again for Mississippi State
Mississippi State forward Tolu Smith scored 21 points in a February 27 loss against Kentucky. Since then, he hasn’t seen the share of All-SEC honors he received – averaging 10.3 points in six games in the NCAA Tournament.
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Thursday was much the same, with Smith scoring just two points in the first half and finishing with nine points. He was 3-5 from the field.
Josh Hubbard, Tyson Walker deliver in March Madness start
Freshman guard Josh Hubbard has consistently provided big moments for Mississippi State this season. His first taste of March Madness was no different.
Hubbard was the only source of consistent offense for the Bulldogs in the first half, scoring 13 of 15 points. He missed his first two shots from the field, but made five of his last seven before halftime.
Hubbard’s early efforts were matched by Michigan State guard Tyson Walker. The graduate guard scored 10 of his 19 points in the opening period, including six during the Spartans’ early 10-0 run.
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Mississippi State fell behind early with Cameron Matthews sidelined.
Michigan State jumped out to a big lead of 12 in the first half, and that happened after Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews was sidelined with foul trouble.
Less than two minutes into the match, Matthews picked up an offensive foul. Shortly after, he picked up his second and was ejected before the first media timeout. By the time he returned to the court with 10:21 to play, Michigan State was on a 15–4 run.
Matthews, who was plus-2 in the first half, helped cut the deficit to seven before halftime.
Stephen Krajicnik is the Mississippi state beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. @skrajisnik3,
