For the first time this century, the Mississippi State men’s basketball team is set to play the University of Memphis during the regular season.
According to a report by Jon Rothstein of College Hoops Today, the two programs have agreed to a home-and-home series which will begin next season at the FedExForum. During the 2025-26 season, the teams will meet up at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville.
NEWS: Memphis and Mississippi State will begin a home-and-home series next season at FedExForum, according to multiple sources.
Return game in Starkville in 2025-26.https://t.co/zrs6gZEYui
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 17, 2024
While the two teams haven’t met in the regular season since 1984, Memphis defeated Mississippi State 77-74 in the 2021 NIT Finals. In 2008, the Tigers also got the best of the Bulldogs but in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 77-74.
This next season’s matchup should be an exciting one as Chris Jans looks to get Mississippi State to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year, a feat that hasn’t been achieved in Starkville since a four-year run from 2002-05. Penny Hardaway, going into his seventh season at his alma mater, will vie to get the Tigers back to the Big Dance after falling short in 2024.
Overall, Memphis holds a 14-11 lead over the Bulldogs in a series that goes all the way back to 1947.
Memphis and Ole Miss also agreed to a home-and-home series with the Tigers set to host the Rebels this coming season and vice versa in the following season.
