Mississippi State's Josh Hubbard put on a show Wednesday night, ensuring his standout performance didn’t go to waste as the Bulldogs secured a 91-85 victory over the Auburn Tigers. Despite nearly letting a 16-point lead slip, Mississippi State held strong, thanks largely to Hubbard's electrifying play.
Hubbard was nothing short of spectacular, delivering a record-breaking performance that left fans in awe. In the first half alone, he racked up 35 points, hitting 9-of-12 from beyond the arc, setting a new school record for most three-pointers in a game.
By the final buzzer, Hubbard had amassed a season-high 46 points on 15-of-27 shooting, including 10-of-16 from three-point land. He also contributed nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals. His clutch go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute was the dagger that sealed Auburn’s fate.
This wasn’t just a flash in the pan for Hubbard. The game marked his third consecutive outing with 30 or more points, solidifying his reputation as a scoring machine. Entering the matchup, Hubbard was already 11th in the nation in scoring, averaging 21.3 points per game on 42.3% shooting.
However, despite his individual brilliance, Hubbard isn’t in the running for major accolades this season. Such honors typically go to players on teams heading to the NCAA Tournament, and Mississippi State’s path there is a steep one.
Their only shot at March Madness lies in winning the SEC Tournament, a tall order given the conference's strength. ESPN's Joe Lunardi projects 10 SEC teams in the tournament, reflecting the league’s competitive depth.
While Hubbard might not light up the national stage in March, his performances have certainly made waves in Starkville. Fans there have long known what the rest of the college basketball world is starting to see: Josh Hubbard is a scoring phenom.