Where Mississippi State basketball sits in March Madness projections before South Carolina game

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State basketball sits on the NCAA Tournament bubble as it enters a crucial regular-season finale against South Carolina on Saturday at Humphrey Coliseum.

MSU (19-11, 8-9 SEC) has dropped its last three contests, though each game was a Quadrant 1 opportunity. Saturday, with South Carolina (24-6, 12-5) sitting outside the top 30 of the NET, is a Quad 2 game.

Mississippi State is in familiar territory after sitting on the bubble last season − coach Chris Jans’ first at the helm. The Bulldogs were among the last four teams in the field of 68 and were sent to Dayton, Ohio, to take part in the First Four.

Here’s a look at Mississippi State’s résumé and where the Bulldogs stand in the latest NCAA Tournament projections.

Mississippi State basketball’s résumé, NET ranking

NET ranking: 39

Quad 1 record: 3-8

Quad 2 record: 4-2

Quad 3 record: 6-0

Quad 4 record: 6-1

Where ESPN, CBS project Mississippi State in March Madness

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has Mississippi State among his last four teams in the field of 64. MSU would avoid a play-in game. Lunardi projects the Bulldogs as a No. 10-seed facing No. 7-seeded Nevada in Omaha, Nebraska.

CBS’ Jerry Palm agrees with Lunardi in regard to Mississippi State’s seeding. However, Palm has MSU playing in Memphis, Tennessee, against No. 7-seeded Colorado State.

ON THE STAR: How Tolu Smith has overcome injury to build powerful legacy at Mississippi State basketball

Mississippi State basketball’s 2024 schedule

March 9: vs. South Carolina (1:30 p.m., SEC Network)

March 13-17: SEC tournament (Bridgestone Arena − Nashville, Tennessee)

March 17: Selection Sunday

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.