Year two of the Chris Jans era at Mississippi State started as expected for the Bulldogs, with an unbeaten status heading into the SEC/ACC Challenge in late November against Georgia Tech. Mississippi State dropped not only one game in late November but on the first Sunday in December, Mississippi State added an embarrassing loss to their resume, allowing for the Southern University Jaguars to come into the Hump and hand the Bulldogs one of the most embarrassing losses in Mississippi State Basketball history. Following the loss to Southern, unhappy rumblings started to make the rounds around Starkville, Mississippi, as the Bulldog faithful questioned the expectations for a team that had taken the country by storm at the start.

Despite the noise surrounding the program, Coach Chris Jans and his Bulldogs did what they did best on Saturday against Tulane. Mississippi State drowned out the noise and put on a clinic as they cruised to a dominating 106-76 victory in the 2023 Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta, Georgia, to get back in a positive mindset as they try to close out the 2023 nonconference slate with enough momentum to propel them to the top of the Southeastern Conference.

Scoring 106 and winning by 30 over an NCAA Tournament-worthy team is something to celebrate as the Bulldogs look to push forward into the rest of the 2023-2024 season. Mind you, Mississippi State has several guys out with various injuries, including an all-Southeastern Conference player in Tolu Smith, who will return to full strength ahead of the Southeastern Conference opener against South Carolina on January 6th.

Using last season as a guide, Mississippi State will lose another game or two they shouldn’t before going on a ride to the NCAA Tournament, where the Bulldogs will be a tough out for an unlucky team that matches up with the Dentist and his Junkyard Bulldogs.

They aren’t a flashy bunch, but the Mississippi State Bulldogs have shown they can win in many ways. As seen on Saturday against Tulane, Mississippi State has the weapons to score points or the athleticism to play tenacious defense, forcing opposing teams to settle for ugly shots.

Changing the focus started on Saturday for Mississippi State as they wanted to prove a point against a Tulane Green Wave team that drew the short straw on Saturday morning. Mississippi State has two and half months to prove they belong in the conversation as a Final Four contender.

Mississippi State will return to action on Wednesday night as they welcome the Racers of Murray State to the Hump.