Mississippi State Opens Season Against West Georgia

Mississippi State Bulldogs are set to open their 2024-25 basketball season against West Georgia, marking the Wolves' debut in Division I basketball. The Bulldogs, who have made consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, aim to gain recognition as they weren't included in the AP Top 25 preseason rankings. Mississippi State finished last season with a 21-14 record, largely due to the efforts of sophomore guard Josh Hubbard, who averaged 17.1 points per game. In contrast, West Georgia, transitioning from Division II, enjoyed a successful previous season with a 26-5 record, winning the Gulf South Conference. Despite their recent achievements, West Georgia is ineligible for postseason play until 2028-29 due to NCAA reclassification policies. The game is a significant milestone for West Georgia under coach Dave Moore, as they step into Division I play.