Mississippi

Michigan State basketball vs Miss. State in March Madness: Prediction for 2024 NCAA opener

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2024

Press Room

Michigan State basketball vs Miss. State in March Madness: Prediction for 2024 NCAA opener

Michigan State men’s basketball vs. Mississippi State

Breaking down Friday’s West Region first-round game between No. 9 Michigan State and No. 8 Mississippi State:

Records: No. 9 Michigan State (19-14, 10-10 Big Ten); No. 8 Mississippi State (21-13, 8-10 Southeastern Conference).

Fast facts: 12:15 p.m. Thursday; Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina.

TV: CBS.

TUNE IN: Watch NCAA tournament games on TNT, TBS and truTV

At stake: Winner faces winner of 1-seed North Carolina vs. 16-seed Howard or 16-seed Wagner on Saturday for spot in Sweet 16 in Los Angeles.

THE LINE: Michigan State basketball opens as slight gambling favorite over Mississippi State

PRINT YOUR BRACKET: March Madness schedule, how to watch the NCAA tournament

About MSU

Location: East Lansing.

Coach: Tom Izzo (29 seasons at MSU, 706-294 career).

School tournament record: 72-35 in 36 appearances.

Past 10 games: 5-5.

Scoring leaders: Tyson Walker, 18.2 points per game; Malik Hall, 12.6; A.J. Hoggard, 11.

Rebounding leaders: Hall, 5.6 rebounds per game; Mady Sissoko, 5.1; Carson Cooper, 4.6.

Assist leaders: Hoggard, 5.2 assists per game; Walker, 2.9; Tre Holloman, 2.5.

3-point leaders: Holloman, 41.8%; Walker, 37.3%; Akins, 36%.

The buzz: After losing to Kansas State in overtime of last year’s Sweet 16, MSU entered this season as a top-five pick and embraced national championship ambitions. Instead, it immediately suffered through an inconsistent, wild winter. The Spartans dropped their season-opener at home to James Madison, then lost their Big Ten opener at home to Wisconsin. Sophomore center Jaxon Kohler missed the first 14 games after October foot surgery, and freshman point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. was lost for the season after he was shot and suffered non-life threatening injuries Dec. 23. MSU was 9-7 overall and 1-4 in conference play after losing Jan. 11 at Illinois, then won eight of its next 10 games, including beating the top-10 Illini at Breslin Center on Feb. 14. But the Spartans then lost back-to-back home games to Iowa and Ohio State and closed the regular season losing four of five, then split two games at the Big Ten tournament. Walker’s scoring numbers have plummeted — since averaging 20 points per game over his first 17 games this season, the senior is averaging just 16.1 points and shooting 39.4% in the past 15 games. And junior Jaden Akins, since making 7 of 10 3-pointers against Michigan on Jan. 30, is shooting just 30.5% from deep in his past 12 games.

GOING TO CHARLOTTE? MSU basketball tickets in 2024 NCAA tournament: Prices, how to buy

About Mississippi State

Location: Starkville, Mississippi

Coach: Chris Jans (42-26 in two seasons at Mississippi State, 185-70 in eight seasons overall).

School tournament record: 11-12 in 12 appearances.

Past 10 games: 5-5.

Scoring leaders: Josh Hubbard, 17.1 points per game; Tolu Smith III, 15.2; Cameron Matthews, 9.5.

Rebounding leaders: Smith, 8.4 rebounds per game; Matthews, 6.9; D.J. Jeffries, 5.7.

Assist leaders: Matthews, 2.9 assists per game; Dashawn Davis, 2.6; Shakeel Moore, 1.8.

3-point leaders: Hubbard, 38.7%; Trey Fort, 34.9%; Moore, 34.8%.

The buzz: Much like the Spartans, the other MSU has battled inconsistent play throughout the season. The Bulldogs defeated No. 6 Tennessee, 73-56, in Friday’s SEC tournament quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Auburn in Saturday’s semifinals, 73-66. Mississippi State also defeated the Vols, a No. 2 seed in the NCAAs, in January while also earning regular-season wins against the Big Ten’s Northwestern and Rutgers and NCAA qualifier Washington State. The Bulldogs had two non-SEC losses, against Georgia Tech and Southern, along with a 2-11 mark against the other seven NCAA qualifiers in their conference. With the Spartans already struggling to shoot beyond the arc, they run into one of the nation’s best at defending it from deep. The Bulldogs are seventh in Division I in allowing opponents to make just 29.4% of their 3-point attempts and are 52nd at 41.6% field-goal percentage defense. They also are one of the better offensive rebounding squads at 12.44 per game, which ranks 39th nationally, and 28th in rebounding margin at plus-5.9. Mississippi State scores 74.8 points a contest while giving up 69.1 to opponents. Hubbard, a 5-foot-10 freshman guard, is averaging 25.4 points a game over his past eight.

Prediction

In the battle of MSU’s, it is the Spartans’ veterans who harness lessons learned all winter and make the clutch plays down the stretch to advance to a showdown with 1-seed North Carolina. The pick: Michigan State 69, Mississippi State 65.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.

Subscribe to the “Spartan Speak” podcast for new episodes weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.

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Mississippi

How MHSAA softball teams have found success in new classifications during 2026

Published

6 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

How MHSAA softball teams have found success in new classifications during 2026

The MHSAA announced its new reclassifications in the fall of 2024, which saw schools shift in classes based on student population for the 2025-27 school years.

As Mississippi high school softball teams begin their first season in the new classes, several teams have outperformed with the change.

The Clarion Ledger reviewed six teams that have not let a new scenery change the outcome of their season.

Caledonia

Record: 14-2, Old Class: 4A, New Class: 5A

Until a March loss to New Hope, Caledonia had not dropped a game to an in-state team. The Cavaliers have been dominant in the circle, allowing only nine earned runs all year and posting a 1.07 team ERA; the most runs they’ve given up in a game this year is seven.

Myrtle

Record: 14-6, Old Class: 1A, New Class: 2A

Myrtle would like the chance to avenge its 1A title-game loss to Stringer in 2025, and will have to do so in 2A. The Hawks have put up 154 runs as a team, with help from Ally Murphy and Mary Ella Mayer. Myrtle has taken down two 7A teams in Oxford and West Harrison this year while aiming for its third straight 20-win season.

Northeast Jones

Record: 19-4, Old Class: 4A, New Class: 5A

The Lady Tigers have settled well in their new classification. Northeast Jones looks for its first 20-win season in decades, while being led by senior Caroline Myrick at the plate and in the circle. Northeast Jones has had nine games in which it has scored 10 or more runs and has not allowed more than nine runs in a game.

Pisgah

Record: 10-6, Old Class: 2A, New Class: 3A

Pisgah has appeared in the 2A title game in consecutive years, falling to East Union both times. Now out of 2A and into 3A, the Lady Dragons aim for a third trip to a championship game. Sophomore Alyssa McMurtrey and senior Hallie McCurdy have led Pisgah at the plate with a team batting average of .334 and 90 RBIs.

Purvis

Record: 10-4, Old Class: 4A, New Class: 5A

In the 2025 season, Purvis fell in the 4A title game to Itawamba Agricultural. Now the Tornadoes have a new chance and a new look at a championship in 5A. Senior Brooxie Shepherd has a .600 batting average, leading Purvis, and hopes to lead the Tornadoes to a third straight 20-win season.

Sumrall

Record: 17-3, Old Class: 4A, New Class: 5A

After moving up to 5A, Sumrall has taken charge as one of the best teams in the class. The Lady Bobcats are led by senior Ella Robertson and junior Kynnedy Lumpkins, who are hitting above .500 with a combined 16 home runs. Sumrall’s only losses have come from 7A teams, and is outscoring opponents 257-75 this season.

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

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Mississippi

MHP responds to abandoned vehicle left on side of Mississippi interstate

Published

19 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

MHP responds to abandoned vehicle left on side of Mississippi interstate

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Some drivers may have seen a white van abandoned for days along I-55 south near the Old Agency Road exit. Even though it’s parked on the shoulder, it’s still close enough to passing traffic to raise safety concerns.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol, or MHP, said that stretch of interstate is actually under the Ridgeland Police Department’s jurisdiction, showing why reporting an abandoned vehicle isn’t always as simple as calling one agency.

MHP said the best thing to do if you spot an abandoned vehicle is to report it and provide as much location detail as possible, especially the mile marker, so dispatch can send the correct agency.

Trooper Darnika Mayfield, a public affairs officer with MHP, said, “Most of the time, if you see something like that, just let us know what the mile mark is… just call 911 and they can direct the correct agency that cover that area… the city and the county, they do have certain parts of the highway.”

MHP states that no matter where an abandoned vehicle is seen, it should still be reported, particularly if it’s creating a hazard.

“Notify us and let us know, especially if it’s causing a danger… just notify us and let us know so we can get that vehicle out the roadway,” Mayfield said.

Under Mississippi law, a vehicle left on a public road or highway for five days or more meets the state’s definition of an abandoned motor vehicle. That can trigger the abandoned-vehicle process, including towing.

And if you come back and your vehicle is gone, MHP said you can call to find out where it was taken.

“If your vehicle is abandoned on the side of the road, and you come back after five days… just dial *47, dial 911, and we’ll let you know what towing company has your vehicle,” Mayfield said.

We reached out to the Ridgeland Police Department to ask about its abandoned-vehicle policy and when the van along I-55 will be towed.

We’re still waiting for a response.

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Mississippi

Rapper Afroman plans 3 Mississippi shows. When, where to see new tour

Published

1 day ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

Rapper Afroman plans 3 Mississippi shows. When, where to see new tour

Afroman has three Mississippi shows lined up soon. The Grammy-nominee recently unveiled dates for his 2026 Freedom of Speech Tour. The first two are this week. Is one near you?

Afroman’s real name is Joseph Foreman. The 2024 presidential candidate used to live in Hattiesburg.

The rapper is best known for his hits such as “Because I Got High,” “Mississippi” and “Crazy Rap.” He was nominated for a Grammy in 2002 for Best Rap Solo Performance for “Because I Got High,” a comedy song about smoking marijuana.

Here’s what to know about his First Amendment court victory and when you can watch him in the Magnolia State.

Why is it called the Freedom of Speech tour?

In 2022, law enforcement in Adams County, Ohio, raided the rapper’s home. It was tied to allegations of kidnapping and drug trafficking. Afroman was never charged.

Months later, Afroman used video from his home security system in music videos. He has lyrics making fun of specific officers by name. Songs like “Will You Help Me Repair My Door” and “Lemon Pound Cake” have racked up millions of views and streams.

The deputies filed a lawsuit in 2023, arguing that he’d committed defamation and invasion of privacy.

He continued releasing police diss tracks. “Batteram Hymn of The Police Whistle Blower” was dropped this month.

A jury acquitted Afroman on March 18.

“I didn’t win, America won,” he told Cincinnati’s WCPO 9 News outside the courthouse.

His new album “Freedom of Speech,” includes the songs from the lawsuit. It drops on April 20. The date, 4-20, is popular and an unofficial holiday for weed smokers.

When will Afroman play in Mississippi?

He has three shows in Mississippi this spring, according to Afroman’s tour webpage and event organizers.

Afroman most recently drew attention following victory in a three‑day trial in Ohio after deputies with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office sued him for using real footage from a 2022 police raid on his home in viral music videos. The videos were “Will You Help Me Repair My Door” and “Lemon Pound Cake.”

Contributing: Edward Segarra and Taijuan Moorman

Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Have a tip? Email her at pdankins@gannett.com.

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

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