Mississippi
Who wins Ole Miss vs Mississippi State rivalry basketball game? Our prediction
The first game between Ole Miss basketball and Mississippi State last season was the first time that both teams were ranked in the Top 25 for a matchup.
The Bulldogs and Rebels are in a different situation entering their first meeting of the 2025-26 season on Jan. 17 (7:30 p.m., SEC Network) at Humphrey Coliseum.
Ole Miss (10-7, 2-2 SEC) and MSU (10-7, 2-2) both got off to slow starts this season. Neither team has been ranked. They need really good SEC seasons to reach the NCAA tournament as an at-large bid.
Here are our score predictions and what else to know for the game.
Where Ole Miss, Mississippi State stand before rivalry game
The Rebels enter the game perhaps playing their best basketball of the season. They’ve won two straight SEC games, while the Bulldogs have lost their last two games.
Ole Miss beat Missouri at SJB Pavilion on Jan. 10 then upset No. 22 Georgia on the road on Jan. 14. Freshman guard Patton Pinkins won the game on a buzzer-beating putback in overtime for the Rebels’ first win against a ranked opponent this season.
MSU lost 92-68 at Kentucky on Jan. 10, its 20th consecutive regular season loss to Kentucky, and 97-82 against No. 18 Alabama on Jan. 13, its ninth straight loss to the Crimson Tide. The Bulldogs held double-digit leads in the first half of both of those games.
Josh Hubbard vs AJ Storr is matchup to watch
Ole Miss vs Mississippi State could have an intriguing guard battle.
Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard, a former Ole Miss signee, leads the SEC with 22.8 points per game. He has three 30-point games this season and five consecutive games with at least 20 points.
Ole Miss’ AJ Storr, a Kansas transfer, is second on the team in scoring at 13.1 points per game behind forward Malik Dia. But Storr has scored 26 and 27 points in Ole Miss’ last two games despite coach Chris Beard moving him to the bench.
Chris Jans has advantage over Chris Beard so far
Mississippi State coach Chris Jans has fared well against Ole Miss. He’s 5-1 against the Rebels with three straight wins.
Ole Miss coach Chris Beard is 1-3 against Mississippi State.
None of the games in the last three seasons has been decided by more than 12 points. MSU was up by 19 in the second half of last season’s game at Ole Miss before winning 81-71. Two of the games have gone to overtime.
Jayden Epps, Jamarion Davis-Fleming injuries for Mississippi State
MSU starting guard Jayden Epps exited the Alabama game in the second half after rolling his right ankle and did not return. Backup forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming also exited with an unspecified injury and didn’t return.
Jans did not have an update on their statuses after the game.
Ole Miss vs Mississippi State score predictions
- Sam Hutchens: Ole Miss 80, Mississippi State 75: Ole Miss has found a groove after starting SEC play 0-2. The Rebels will do well to exploit MSU’s 3-point defense. The Bulldogs allow their opponents to shoot 35.8% from deep, which is No. 15 in the SEC. Look for sharpshooters Travis Perry (4-for-7 on 3-pointers vs. Georgia) and Pinkins (3-for-3) to stay hot.
- Sam Sklar: Mississippi State 74, Ole Miss 70: Despite the two recent losses, MSU has still played better over the last month than it was before. Jans will find a way to beat Ole Miss again, as long as another player besides Hubbard can step up as a second scoring option.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Mississippi
Mississippi Highway Patrol deployed to Goodman after viral gun video, leaders explain goals
GOODMAN, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has deployed state troopers to the Town of Goodman indefinitely following a viral video showing people waving guns and mocking the absence of police in the town.
DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell and other department leaders flew into Goodman on Thursday to meet with town officials. Tindell said the video drew the attention of both himself and Gov. Tate Reeves.
“We felt like there needed to be a presence of law enforcement in Goodman to send a message,” Tindell said. “That it’s not a town or any town in Mississippi that we’re going to allow lawlessness to prevail.”
Troopers conducting stops, working alongside sheriff’s office
Since Wednesday, troopers have been stopping drivers in downtown Goodman and in neighborhoods. Tindell said the Mississippi Highway Patrol is working alongside the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office as part of the investigation.
“It’s more regular law enforcement duties at this point,” Tindell said. “You know, we’re looking at individuals in the video to ask who they were and go from there.”
Tindell said MHP deployments to towns across the state are not uncommon, and include safety checkpoints, driver’s license verifications and insurance verifications.
“So that’s not unusual anywhere on any given day,” Tindell said. “We just happen to be in Goodman because they needed additional help at that time.”
Mayor supports presence; some residents question it
Mayor Michael Howard said he supports MHP’s increased presence in the town. However, resident Keni El questioned whether the deployment was necessary.
“It really doesn’t change anything because if the people they’ve seen on the video are who they came for then that’s who they need to be looking for,” El said. “Because in a way, it’s kind of harassing the people for stupidity of some younglings.”
El said leaders should instead focus on providing resources to mentor young people.
“The youth need to be taught the right knowledge, right wisdom, right understanding,” El said. “But I’m not going to be afraid of no child.”
Tindell said he is unsure how long state troopers will remain in Goodman but will stay in contact with town officials until a departure date is determined.
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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball could have its first position player picked in the first round of the MLB draft since 2020.
That’s where star third baseman Ace Reese is ranked ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft. He has two years of eligibility remaining but is not expected back with the Bulldogs because of his high draft ranking.
There are other draft outcomes that can impact MSU’s 2027 roster for coach Brian O’Connor’s second season. The draft begins July 11 (noon, NBC/Peacock) with Rounds 1-4 and continues July 12 with Rounds 5-20.
Here’s a look at where Mississippi State players are ranked for the draft, including high school signees.
MLB draft rankings for Ace Reese, other Mississippi State players
MLB.com’s list of the top 250 prospects has Reese at No. 18. He’s the highest-ranked third baseman. USA Today’s mock draft predicts the Miami Marlins to select Reese with the No. 14 pick, which has a slot value of nearly $5.5 million.
If Reese is picked in the top 10, he’d be Mississippi State’s first top 10 pick since Paul Maholm in 2003.
The only other Mississippi State player in MLB.com’s top 250 is relief pitcher Ben Davis at No. 232. Davis does not have any college eligibility remaining.
That does not mean there won’t be more MSU players drafted. MSU has two starters in particular, catcher Kevin Milewski and outfielder Aidan Teel, who are draft eligible. If they are drafted, they’ll have to decide whether to sign with the pro team or return to Mississippi State. Relief pitcher Maddox Webb is in the same situation.
None of Mississippi State’s incoming transfers are ranked as top 250 draft prospects.
Mississippi State baseball signees rankings for MLB draft
Mississippi State has the No. 6 recruiting class, according to Perfect Game, and there are many players who are draft risks.
Eight of the signees are ranked inside MLB.com’s top 250 with four in the top 100.
Catcher Will Brick is the top signee at No. 46 after reclassifying to the 2026 class. Shortstop Rocco Maniscalco is just behind him at No. 49, followed by pitchers Landon Brown (No. 77) and Denton Lord (No. 80).
Other signees in the top 250 are pitcher Wilson Andersen (No. 111), outfielder Martin Shelar (No. 175), pitcher Jake Carbaugh (No. 203) and shortstop Noah Danza (No. 239).
Last summer, Mississippi State got signees Jack Bauer and Jacob Parker to turn down the MLB draft and play for the Bulldogs. Bauer was ranked as the No. 44 prospect and Parker, who turned into a freshman All-American, was No. 109.
The deadline for draftees to sign contracts with pro teams is July 27 at 4 p.m. CT.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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