Good morning! Head coach Chris Jans recently met with the media to discuss his team and their mindset as the Bulldogs enter into SEC play later this weekend. Watch Coach Jans’ media session and learn more about the impact of Tolu Smith’s return to the court.

What else did we throw into today’s Bulldog Brew?

🏀 Women’s Basketball gears up for SEC play
🎾 Men’s Tennis cracks the top 20
🐶 And much, much more!

🎥 BEYOND THE ARC

Beyond The Arc: Swishmas Time (S.1 E. 5). It's Swishmas time in Starkville! See how the Bulldogs fared during the holidays as they take down Tulane in Atlanta and edge out Murray State at home.

🎥 DEAR OL’ STATE

Dear Ol’ State: Women Surging Into SEC Play. In the first edition of Dear Ol' State of the New Year, Joel Coleman and Logan Lowery talk about how the MSU women's hoops team is playing great basketball headed into SEC play. Plus, the guys bring you comments from head coach Sam Purcell and guard Jerkaila Jordan.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 So It Begins. Bulldog women’s basketball will enter its conference schedule with a 13-2 overall record and a five-game winning streak as they take on Vanderbilt at 6:30 p.m. tonight at The Hump. The Commodores will not be an easy out as they enter the matchup 13-1 on the season. State leads 15-11 when playing in Starkville, and the Bulldogs have won the last nine games in the series.

🔼 Back On Track. Mississippi State track and field will return to the track later this month, and with that comes the introduction of a couple of new faces for the Bulldogs. Learn a little more about the newest member of the men’s team as all of Bulldog track and field prepare for the first event of 2024, the UAB Blazer Invite, on Jan. 12.

👤 Get to know Danarrion Ard

👤 Get to know Jayson Ashford

🔼 New Year, New Rankings. The first ITA Men’s Tennis rankings of the new year are out, and the Bulldogs came in as the No. 17 squad in the country. Last season, State finished as regional champions and reached the Round of 16 in the NCAA Team Championship.

📚️ Check out the team’s roster as the Bulldogs head into the spring portion of the season

🔼 Strong Addition. Head coach Jeff Lebby made another addition to his support staff, hiring Marc Votteler as the program’s new Associate AD for Player Personnel. As one of the best in the business, Votteler will oversee the Bulldogs’ recruiting and roster management operations.

📚️ Read more about Votteler’s history before he decided to call Starkville home

🤔 BULLDOG TRIVIA

S-E-C, S-E-C. Regarded as one of the toughest conferences in college athletics, Bulldog women’s basketball has held its own in the SEC since the arrival of Coach Purcell a season ago.

Our question today: do you remember what the Bulldogs’ conference record was in the 2022-23 season?

Think you know the answer? Scroll down to the bottom to find out!

📬 STICK WITH US

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🐶 DAWG DAILY

Today’s Dawg Daily: Conference Play Begins. What a time to be a Bulldog! SEC play begins tonight and Joey and Jalyn will give you the rundown on the Vanderbilt Commodores.

✅ Listen to today’s Dawg Daily on Spotify

🍎 Listen to today’s Dawg Daily on Apple Podcasts

📆 LOOKING AHEAD

Thursday 1/4

🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. Vanderbilt @ 6:30pm in Starkville, MS | Listen | Live Stats

Saturday 1/6

🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. South Carolina @ 11:00am in Columbia, SC | Watch | Listen | Live Stats

🐶 Click here to see the full Mississippi State Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 9-7!

Head coach Sam Purcell nearly doubled the number of conference wins by a first-year coach after breaking the previous record of five.

🐶 Have a great Thursday, y'all!