The Mississippi State Bulldogs are set to meet the Florida State Seminoles in a preseason basketball exhibition slated for Pensacola, Florida, marking the second time the two programs have convened in the coastal city after a previous diamond‑court showdown a year ago.
A historic rivalry revisited
The upcoming clash will be the tenth meeting in a series that has seesawed over the years, with each team holding five victories. Florida State most recently edged the Bulldogs 90‑66 in 2025, underscoring the Seminoles’ edge in the recent stretch.
Florida State closed out the prior season with an 18‑15 record, culminating in a appearance at the ACC Tournament, while the Bulldogs are looking to rebound from a rare omission from the NCAA Tournament under first‑year head coach Chris Jans.
Jans, who took the reins of the Bulldogs program this year, has emphasized a return to the national stage and has shaped the preseason schedule to include tests against Memphis, Jackson State on November 9, and Xavier on November 13, as well as a spot in the Battle 4 Atlantis alongside Memphis, Wake Forest and Penn State.
A key storyline involves transfer forward Thomas Bassong, who spent his freshman year at Florida State before joining Mississippi State. Coaches and analysts alike expect Bassong to provide interior presence and scoring depth when the Bulldogs face his former team.
Preparing for a demanding slate
The preseason slate also features a season‑opening matchup against Tennessee Tech on November 2, a home game versus Northwestern State on November 5, and a SEC/ACC Challenge encounter with Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs will round out nonconference play with contests against Alabama A&M on December 7, Mississippi Valley State on December 15 and Campbell on December 28.
Beyond the exhibition with Florida State, the series is viewed as a crucial barometer for Mississippi State as they prepare for a demanding SEC schedule. The experience gained in Pensacola is expected to sharpen the team’s chemistry and fortify their prospects of securing an NCAA Tournament berth.