Mississippi State Opens Season With 106-88 Win
Mississippi State began the 2026-27 season by beating Tennessee Tech at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
Mississippi State men's basketball defeated Tennessee Tech 106-88 on Monday night at Humphrey Coliseum. The Bulldogs led 53-37 at halftime and surpassed 100 points in the game.
Why it matters
The opening win sets an early tone for the 2026-27 season and gives Starkville fans an initial measure of the team. Strong shooting before halftime helped Mississippi State build a lead that held for much of the second half.
Mississippi State hit 7 of its last 8 shots before halftime, and King Grace went 3-5 from three-point range in the first half. Caleb Sanders led Tennessee Tech with 26 points, while the extraction does not detail further shooting efficiency for the full game.
The players
Mississippi State men's basketball
The men's basketball program of Mississippi State University, which competes in the Southeastern Conference and plays its home games at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville.
Caleb Sanders
A guard for Tennessee Tech who led all scorers with 26 points in the loss to Mississippi State.
The details
King Grace scored 16 points in the first half and Josh Hubbard added 12. The Bulldogs went nearly five minutes without a field goal in the second half, but defense and free throws kept Tennessee Tech within a 15-20 point margin for much of the period. RJ Johnson dealt with cramps as the game wore on.
Timeline
Monday, November 2, 2026: Mississippi State defeated Tennessee Tech 106-88 at Humphrey Coliseum.
Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: Mississippi State plays Northwestern State in The Hump.
Season Trajectory
The opening win puts Mississippi State at 1-0 in the 2026-27 season and tests how the rotation performs early in the year. Early-season results like this one shape how the team is viewed in the Southeastern Conference standings and postseason positioning.
The Thursday matchup against Northwestern State gives the Bulldogs an immediate second test to build on the opener. Fans planning to attend can expect the game at 6:30 p.m. in The Hump.
The takeaway
Strong first-half shooting carried Mississippi State through the opener, and maintaining that efficiency will be key as the schedule continues. Readers following the Bulldogs should watch how the rotation holds up in Thursday's game.
What happens next
Mississippi State men's basketball plays Northwestern State on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in The Hump.
Further reading
For more college hoops coverage, see the latest Basketball news.
