Mississippi State Upsets Texas in Overtime Thriller
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Moody Center
Mississippi State Bulldogs 101, Texas Longhorns 98, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Texas Longhorns?
Mississippi State Bulldogs beat Texas Longhorns 101-98 at Moody Center on January 3, 2026.
Who was favored in Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Texas Longhorns?
Texas Longhorns were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -485 (about 83% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup at the Moody Center, the Mississippi State Bulldogs edged out the Texas Longhorns with a final score of 101-98 after overtime. This game was notable not only for the dramatic finish but also for the implications it holds in the NCAAB landscape, as both teams entered the contest with matching records of 9-5.
The Longhorns had been showing strong form at home, entering the game with a 7-3 record in their last ten outings, including a two-game winning streak. They averaged an impressive 89.3 points per game while allowing 73.4. Their recent performances included notable victories against Maryland Eastern Shore and Le Moyne, where they scored 94 and 95 points, respectively. However, they also faced challenges, with losses to UConn and Virginia, highlighting their inconsistency.
Conversely, the Bulldogs were riding a four-game winning streak, having won six of their last ten games. They averaged 79.8 points per game and allowed 76.0. Their latest victory came against Alabama State, where they won decisively with a score of 94-56. Mississippi State's recent form indicated a team that was gaining momentum, which they carried into this matchup.
In terms of home and away performance, Texas had a solid home record of 6-2, while Mississippi State was 2-2 in away games. The Longhorns' home advantage was expected to play a significant role, especially given their high scoring averages. However, the Bulldogs' recent form suggested they were capable of competing fiercely, regardless of the venue.
The two teams had met previously in the 2025 season, where Texas emerged victorious with a score of 87-82. This history added an extra layer of intrigue to the rematch, as both teams sought to assert their dominance.
Injury reports indicated that both teams were relatively healthy, which meant that they could field their strongest lineups for this critical game. This factor likely contributed to the high expectations surrounding the matchup.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Texas favored by 9.5 points, with a total set at 157.5. The odds reflected the Longhorns' strong home record and scoring ability, while the Bulldogs' recent performances suggested they could challenge that spread.
As the game unfolded, it became clear that both teams were prepared for a battle. The Longhorns initially looked to leverage their home court advantage, but Mississippi State's determination and recent form proved decisive. The Bulldogs not only matched Texas's scoring but also executed crucial plays in overtime that ultimately secured their victory.
In the overtime period, key plays included a driving layup and a series of free throws from Tramon Mark, who played a pivotal role in the Bulldogs' success. The final moments saw Mississippi State maintain composure under pressure, converting critical free throws to seal the game.
This victory not only boosts Mississippi State's confidence but also raises questions about Texas's ability to perform under pressure, especially at home. As both teams look ahead, the implications of this game will be felt in their respective campaigns as they aim for postseason success.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | TEX -9.5 | 157.5 o -105 / u -115 | Mississippi State Bulldogs +370 · Texas Longhorns -485 |
Leaders
- PointsDailyn Swain34Texas Longhorns
- AssistsSimeon Wilcher4Texas Longhorns
- ReboundsDailyn Swain14Texas Longhorns
- PointsJosh Hubbard38Mississippi State Bulldogs
- AssistsJayden Epps5Mississippi State Bulldogs
- ReboundsAchor Achor13Mississippi State Bulldogs
Recent form
Texas Longhorns
Last 10: 7-3Streak W289.3 scored · 73.4 allowed per game6-2 at home
- W94-71vs Maryland Eastern Shore HawksDec 23
- W95-53vs Le Moyne DolphinsDec 17
- L63-71at UConn HuskiesDec 13
- W95-69vs Southern JaguarsDec 9
- L69-88vs Virginia CavaliersDec 4
- W102-97vs NC State WolfpackNov 27
- W119-78at Chaminade SilverswordsNov 26
- L86-87vs Arizona State Sun DevilsNov 25
- W99-65vs Rider BroncsNov 19
- W71-55vs Kansas City RoosNov 15
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Last 10: 6-4Streak W479.8 scored · 76 allowed per game2-2 away
- W94-56vs Alabama State HornetsDec 30
- W71-66vs Memphis TigersDec 20
- W87-83vs Long Island University SharksDec 17
- W82-74at Utah UtesDec 14
- L62-65vs San Francisco DonsDec 7
- W85-73at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsDec 4
- L81-87vs SMU MustangsNov 29
- W81-78vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersNov 25
- L78-80at New Mexico LobosNov 22
- L77-98at Kansas State WildcatsNov 21
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 27-8 | - | 16-2 |
| Arkansas | 28-9 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Alabama | 25-10 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Vanderbilt | 27-9 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Tennessee | 25-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Texas A&M | 22-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Georgia | 22-11 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Kentucky | 22-14 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Missouri | 20-13 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Texas | 21-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Auburn | 22-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma | 21-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Mississippi State | 13-19 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Ole Miss | 15-20 | 12 | 4-14 |
| South Carolina | 13-19 | 12 | 4-14 |
| LSU | 15-17 | 13 | 3-15 |
Box score
| Stat | Mississippi State Bulldogs | Texas Longhorns |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 34-76 | 31-65 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 48 |
| Three-pointers | 10-33 | 7-25 |
| Three-point % | 30 | 28 |
| Free throws | 23-31 | 29-40 |
| Free throw % | 74 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 47 | 39 |
| Offensive rebounds | 19 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 28 | 27 |
| Assists | 12 | 12 |
| Steals | 4 | 6 |
| Blocks | 6 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 19 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 21 |
| Points in the paint | 40 | 36 |
| Fouls | 28 | 24 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 7 |
| Lead changes | 10 | 10 |
| Time in front | 65 | 24 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half67-71Matas Vokietaitis makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half70-71Josh Hubbard makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jayden Epps assists)
- 2nd Half70-72Simeon Wilcher makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-73Simeon Wilcher makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-73Jayden Epps makes 23-foot three point jumper (Josh Hubbard assists)
- 2nd Half73-75Jordan Pope makes driving layup (Simeon Wilcher assists)
- 2nd Half74-75Sergej Macura makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-76Dailyn Swain makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-77Dailyn Swain makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-77Quincy Ballard makes 8-foot hook shot (Jayden Epps assists)
- 2nd Half76-78Dailyn Swain makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-80Dailyn Swain makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Jordan Pope assists)
- 2nd Half77-80Jayden Epps makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half78-80Jayden Epps makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half79-80Jayden Epps makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half79-83Tramon Mark makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half79-85Dailyn Swain makes layup
- 2nd Half79-86Dailyn Swain makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half80-86Achor Achor makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half81-86Achor Achor makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half84-86Josh Hubbard makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jayden Epps assists)
- 2nd Half86-86Brandon Walker makes 0-foot tip in layup
- OT88-86Josh Hubbard makes driving layup
- OT88-87Matas Vokietaitis makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT88-88Matas Vokietaitis makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT90-88Jayden Epps makes 9-foot jumper
- OT91-88Jayden Epps makes free throw 1 of 1
- OT93-88Shawn Jones Jr. makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Jayden Epps assists)
- OT93-89Matas Vokietaitis makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT93-90Matas Vokietaitis makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT95-90Josh Hubbard makes 14-foot jumper
- OT96-90Josh Hubbard makes free throw 1 of 1
- OT96-91Matas Vokietaitis makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT96-94Tramon Mark makes 23-foot three point jumper (Lassina Traore assists)
- OT96-96Tramon Mark makes driving layup
- OT99-96Josh Hubbard makes 25-foot three point jumper
- OT99-97Tramon Mark makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT99-98Tramon Mark makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT100-98Josh Hubbard makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT101-98Josh Hubbard makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Texas Longhorns, below favours Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Venue
- Moody CenterAustin, TX
- Attendance10823
- OfficialsPat Adams, Wil Howard, Todd Austin
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond