Predicting the 2025-26 starting lineup for Mississippi State MBB
After a successful 2024-25 season, the Mississippi State Bulldogs look to continue to strengthen the culture that is being built in Starkville, Mississippi. With Chris Jans bolstering the lineup with highly touted freshmen and savvy vets from the transfer portal, the Bulldogs set their sights on much more in the 2025-26 season.
PG – Josh Hubbard
Hubbard is set to lead Mississippi State’s backcourt yet again this season. He is coming off of a very impressive sophomore campaign – 18.9 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Hubbard holds a laundry list of prestigious awards/honors – two-time Second-Team All-SEC (2023-24 & 2024-25), 2024 SEC All-Tournament Team, 2024 SEC All-Freshman Team, and most recently 2025-26 preseason All-SEC First Team.
His leadership and scoring ability is pivotal for the Bulldogs as they look to make a third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.
SG – Jayden Epps
The 6’2” senior transfers in from Georgetown University. Epps brings a dynamic presence and proven scoring prowess to the backcourt.
This past season, he averaged 12.8 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game – showing he can play well on both ends of the floor.
If he can bring what he showed at Georgetown, Epps would be a huge pickup for the Bulldogs.
SF – Achor Achor
Achor, a 6’9” senior, is another transfer piece Chris Jans brought in from Kansas State. The Bulldogs aren’t looking for the numbers he put up last season as he played limited minutes and averaged only 7.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0 blocks – those zero blocks being the key here.
The Bulldogs are hoping for the 2023-24 version of Achor where he averaged 16.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, which helped lead the Samford Bulldogs to its first NCAA appearance since 2000.
If Mississippi State gets even a glimpse of the 2023-24 Achor, the pure versatility on both sides of the ball would play well for the Bulldogs throughout the season.
PF – Brandon Walker
Walker transfers in from Montana State where he averaged 14.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 52.8% from the field and 38.6% from downtown.
At Walker’s size, 6’8” and 255 lbs., his ability to stretch the floor and also bang down low with the bigs will be just what the Bulldogs need this season.
C – Quincy Ballard
Ballard is a 7’0” redshirt senior transferring in from Wichita State University. Ballard, off of pure size alone, is a matchup nightmare for many players. Ballard set the single-season record for dunks (62) and field goal percentage (75.1%) for the Shockers last season. He also ranks second all-time in both total blocks (152) and dunks (123).
Ballard finished the 2024-25 season averaging 10 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while racking up eight double-doubles.
The Bulldogs definitely missed a dominant paint presence last year and Ballard is exactly what they are needing to hopefully take them over the hump.
