Mississippi

Players to watch for in Mississippi State vs. Kentucky

Published

1 year ago

January 11, 2025

Players to watch for in Mississippi State vs. Kentucky

Momentum can come and go in the SEC this year. We’ve seen that first-hand with the Kentucky Wildcats through two games in SEC play.

Last Saturday, the Wildcats beat the No. 6 Florida Gators, who entered that game undefeated, 106-100. Three days later, Kentucky fell to the Georgia Bulldogs, 82-69. Whatever was there from the Wildcats against Florida wasn’t there from Kentucky against Georgia.

But don’t worry, a game at No. 14 Mississippi State awaits the Wildcats on Saturday night. Yup, these big games just keep coming in the SEC this year. And this Bulldogs team is GOOD. They’re 14-1 for a reason, with a roster filled with young talent and veteran experience recruited through the transfer portal.

The Bulldogs can score, shoot, rebound and defend. Kentucky needs to be ready to go from the opening tip Saturday night.

Let’s look at the Players to Watch on the No. 14 Mississippi State Bulldogs Saturday night.

Players to Watch

1. #12 Josh Hubbard 5’11” 190 lbs. So. Guard Madison, Miss.
17.1 pts, 2.1 rebs, 42.9 FG%, 38.2 3-PT FG%, 83.3 FT%, 30.6 mpg
A cousin of Dwayne Wade, Hubbard has quickly immersed himself as one of the best players and scorers in the SEC. Hubbard led the Bulldogs in scoring last year at 17.1 points per game, which also led all SEC Freshmen. His 13 games of 20+ points led all true Freshmen in the country, while two 30-point games were second in the country. In addition, nine of his 13 20-point games came in SEC play.

Hubbard has six games with 20+ points this season. He’s a really good 3-point shooter, with three games of five+ 3-pointers. In every game but two this season, Hubbard has made multiple 3-point shots. He’s become a player that you can limit and contain, but it will be difficult to shut him down. Hubbard has also played 30+ minutes 11 times this season.

2. #0 Claudell Harris Jr. 6’4” 200 lbs. Sr. Guard Hahnville, La. Boston College
Transfer
11.1 pts, 3.3 rebs, 42.2 FG%, 38.9 3-PT FG%, 15-21 FT, 23.9 mpg
Playing for his third team in four seasons, Harris entered Starkville with over 1,300 points in his first three seasons. He’s coming off a season at Boston College, where he helped the Eagles to the Sweet 16 of the NIT and averaged 13,7 points per game. Harris averaged 2.5 3-pointers per game and shot 37 percent from 3-point range, both sixth in the ACC.

This season, Harris has nine double-digit scoring games, including three straight games coming into Saturday night. Harris has six games with three or made 3-point shots, including six in the Bulldogs season opener. After coming off the bench for four straight games, Harris has started the last five games for the Bulldogs.

3. #3 KeShawn Murphy 6’10” 230 lbs. R-Jr. Forward Birmingham, Ala.
9.9 pts, 7.7 rebs, 19 blk, 52.6 FG%, 4-17 3-PT FG, 73.5 FT%, 23 mpg
Murphy has seven games with double-digit points, including a season-high 20 points against Pittsburgh in the SEC-ACC Challenge back in December. He also has three games with 12+ rebounds. Mississippi State’s leading shot blocker, Murphy has two games with four blocks this season.

4. #2 Riley Kukel 6’5” 210 lbs. Jr. Guard Orlando, Fla. Florida Transfer
9.7 pts, 3.1 rebs, 46.3 FG%, 30.4 3-PT FG%, 17-23 FT, 21 mpg
Kugel is in his first season with the Bulldogs, after playing his first two seasons at Florida. He has seven double-digit scoring games this season, including a season-high 22 points in a three-game stretch where he reached double figures. Kugel has started five games this season, and he has played 20+ minutes 10 times this season.

5. #22 RJ Melendez 6’7” 210 lbs. Sr. Forward Arecibo, Puerto Rico Georgia Transfer
8.7 pts, 3.7 rebs, 49% FG, 33.3 3-PT FG%, 82.1 FT%, 20.1 mpg
Melendez has actually played for two teams prior to his arrival in Starkville, as he helped Illinois to the NCAA Tournament in 2022 and 2023. Last year, he helped Georgia to the NIT Semifinals, where he averaged 9.6 points and 18 double-digit scoring games on the season.

This season, Melendez is coming off a season-high 19 points at Vanderbilt on Tuesday night. Melendez has started eight straight games leading into Saturday night for the Bulldogs, and he has seven double-digit scoring games.

6. #4 Cameron Matthews 6’7” 235 lbs. Gr. Forward Olive Branch, Miss.
8 pts/gm., 6.9 rebs, 61 ast.-32 TO, 38 stl, 61.8 FG%, 1-3 3-PT FG, 52.1 FT%, 25.3 mpg
Ranking in the top five in Mississippi State history in steals and starting 68 of 69 games the last two years, Matthews has become a valuable member of the Bulldogs in helping them to the last two NCAA Tournaments. Matthews has 26 assists in his last five games and 12 games this season with multiple steals. In addition, Matthews has just one game where he didn’t shoot 50 percent or better from the floor. This is Matthews’s fifth season with the Bulldogs.

7. #23 Michael Nwoko 6’10” 245 lbs. So. Center Juba, South Sudan Miami (FL)
Transfer
7.1 pts, 4.9 rebs, 55.4 FG%, 1-3 3-PT FG, 61.5 FT%, 14.9 mpg
A nominee for the McDonald’s All-American Game when he was in high school, Nwoko is in his first season with the Bulldogs and has four games with double-digit points, including two games with 18 points. Nwoko also has two double-doubles and three games with double-digit rebounds. He’s also started 12 straight games heading into Saturday night.

8. #5 Shawn Jones Jr. 6’5” 205 lbs. Jr. Guard Houston, Texas
5.1 pts, 2.4 rebs, 50% FG, 5-18 3-PT FG, 15-19 FT, 17.9 mpg
Jones has started four games this season, and he has played 20+ minutes five times this season.

Head Coach: Chris Jans (3rd season)
Jans has taken the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first two seasons in Starkville. It’s Mississippi State’s first time in consecutive NCAA Tournaments in 15 years. Prior to Mississippi State, where the Bulldogs have also won 21 games in each of the last two seasons, Jans spent five seasons at New Mexico State where he led the Aggies to three NCAA Tournaments and a First Round win over UConn in 2022. The Aggies also won four WAC Regular-Season championships in Jans’s five years. Jans also coached Bowling Green for one season, taking the Falcons from 20 losses the year prior to 21-12 in his lone season with the Falcons. Prior to Bowling Green, Jans was an assistant at Wichita State for seven seasons. In 2013, the Shockers went to the Final Four. They followed that with an undefeated regular season and No. 1 seed in 2014, before losing to Kentucky 78-76 in the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament in St. Louis.

Keys to the Game

1. Offensive efficiency: Against a Bulldogs team averaging 83.5 points per game, being able to score and be efficient on offense will go a long way for Kentucky on Saturday night. If the Wildcats exhibit the same offensive performance they had against Florida on Saturday night, this is a game the Wildcats win.

2. Take care of the ball: When playing a team that can score, shoot, and rebound, limiting extra possessions is paramount. The Bulldogs average just over 13 offensive rebounds per game. Kentucky can’t let the Bulldogs get to that number on Saturday night.

3. Activity on defense: The Bulldogs average 17.3 assists per game. That’s one component that makes their offense so good is the Bulldogs’ ability to distribute the basketball to its best shooters. The Wildcats need to disrupt the Bulldogs’ offensive rhythm on Saturday night and make ball movement hard to come by.

4. Get off to a good start: The measure of a great team is how they respond to adversity. Kentucky is facing adversity after Tuesday night’s setback at Georgia. How the Wildcats come out in the first four minutes on Saturday night will tell us a lot about the Wildcats’ state of mind and mentality in this top-15 showdown.

Score Prediction: Kentucky 86 – Mississippi State 83
A lot of points will be scored in this game. Kentucky is a really good offensive team and really good team overall. I believe, because of that, Kentucky will bounce back and beat a top 15 team on the road Saturday night, giving Mark Pope four wins over top-15 teams in his first season as the Wildcats head coach.

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Mississippi

Iconic Mississippi foods and top US foodie states

Published

4 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Press Room

Iconic Mississippi foods and top US foodie states

When you think of Mississippi food, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? The state has lots of iconic offerings, including biscuits, tamales and mud pie.

Talker Research surveyed 5,000 Americans for Hello Fresh. They talked to families about how much they cook at home, pride in local recipes and the states they think have the best cuisine in the U.S.

“Food has always been about more than just sustenance — it’s how we connect, share stories and pass down traditions,” said Michelle Doll Olson, senior manager of culinary development at HelloFresh US. “From California shrimp tacos and Minnesota Juicy Lucy, to Louisiana gumbo and New York bagels, the dishes that define each state carry generations of family memories and cultural pride.”

The average American reportedly cooks 12 meals at home every week. That’s three breakfasts, four lunches and five dinners.

Sharing food is a matter of community pride.

Get your groceries easily with Hello Fresh

What does Mississippi taste like?

New Hampshire was proud of its apple cider donuts while Utah bragged about “fry sauce.” Ohio loves its “buckeyes.”

People said the most iconic Mississippi foods are fried catfish and soul food.

Which states have the best food?

The Top 5 foodie states, according to the survey, were:

California
New York
Texas
Louisiana
Florida

Residents of neighboring Louisiana were the most confident (94%) that they had the best cuisine.

What dishes and flavors represent other Southern states?

According to the data, here’s what other Southern states say represents them.

Alabama: banana pudding, pinto beans and cornbread
Arkansas: catfish, country fried chicken
Florida: seafood, key lime pie, fresh orange juice
Georgia: peach cobbler, seafood boils
Kentucky: fried chicken
Louisiana: crawfish, Cajun cuisine, gumbo
North Carolina: barbecue, knoephla soup
South Carolina: soul food
Tennessee: barbecue
Texas: Tex Mex, barbecue
Virginia: ham

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@usatodayco.com.

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 20, 2026

Published

14 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 20, 2026

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 20, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 20 drawing

06-14-22-23-29

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 3-3-4, FB: 7

Evening: 9-7-3, FB: 5

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 0-2-5-1, FB: 7

Evening: 7-1-0-9, FB: 5

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 02

Evening: 13

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Mississippi

Eight tornadoes confirmed in Louisiana and Mississippi from Post-Tropical Cyclone Arthur storms

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Eight tornadoes confirmed in Louisiana and Mississippi from Post-Tropical Cyclone Arthur storms

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The National Weather Service has confirmed eight tornadoes touched down across Louisiana and Mississippi on June 18th, 2026, with damage surveys revealing significant impacts to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

The survey work continues on several areas, including Eden Isle, where meteorologists are analyzing whether additional weak tornadoes occurred within widespread wind damage.

The NWS has asked for patience as crews complete their analysis, with the next update expected Monday, June 22.

A busy morning of severe weather

The tornado activity began early Thursday morning around 2:49 a.m. and continued through the morning hours, with the last confirmed tornado occurring around 8:12 a.m.

The storms primarily impacted the greater New Orleans area, including parts of Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, and St. Tammany Parish in Louisiana, as well as Hancock and Harrison counties in Mississippi.

The damage: eight confirmed tornadoes

Houma area hit hardest

Four of the eight confirmed tornadoes touched down in the Houma area, with a fourth nearby.

The most significant damage in Houma came from an EF-1 tornado that tracked through the city around 3:47 a.m., producing winds up to 95 mph.

This tornado damaged the Lynn Park Shopping Center, where nearly every window was damaged, and interior walls partially collapsed. Four homes sustained partial to significant roof loss, and one home had an exterior wall collapse.

Another EF-1 tornado in the same area tossed a truck 30 feet and caused significant damage. Multiple trees were snapped and uprooted, with several homes sustaining partial roof loss, and at least one carport collapsed.

An EF-1 tornado causes significant roof damage to two homes on Crozier Drive, and at least one exterior wall collapsed on each.

An EF-0 tornado also impacted the McCord area of Houma, damaging trees, several homes, and electrical poles.

Long-track tornado from St. Tammany Parish to Mississippi

The most significant tornado of the day was an EF-1 that traveled 12.42 miles from Treasure Isle in St. Tammany Parish to rural Hancock County, Mississippi. With maximum winds of 105 mph and a width of up to 300 yards, this tornado caused extensive damage across its path.

The tornado flipped a large boat near Treasure Isle and progressed northeast, removing shingles from homes and snapping trees along Bluegill Drive.

As it moved into Avery Estates, the tornado grew in size and strengthened, uprooting numerous trees along U.S. Highway 190 and damaging several outbuildings. A manufactured home had most of its roof removed and was shifted significantly off its foundation.

The tornado maintained strength as it moved over the Pearl River Basin before weakening as it approached Hancock County, where ground survey teams documented widespread tree damage on rural roads.

Additional tornadoes

An EF-1 tornado tracked 7.26 miles from Bridge City through New Orleans to the University of New Orleans area around 5:43 a.m., producing winds up to 95 mph. Damage was primarily tree damage and minor building damage across the city.

A brief EF-1 tornado touched down north of Highway 90 in Avondale, injuring two people. The tornado tracked northeast with home damage and snapped tree branches. One home sustained damage when another mobile home rolled into it. The wind speeds were estimated to be 90 mph.

An EF-1 tornado also tracked across Hancock and Harrison counties in Mississippi, with widespread tree damage, including several large trees uprooted and snapped. Minor damage occurred to several properties along the 6.38-mile path.