March Madness opener: Michigan State over Mississippi State.  

[{"selector":"#anim-2e749ade-9202-40f2-8e93-9cc161204e19 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Charlotte, NC— On Thursday, Mississippi State basketball made its fourth NCAA Tournament berth since 2009.

[{"selector":"#anim-7537e323-d29c-4126-bb4e-a7fe43ab4ab7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Fourth time in as many trips for the Bulldogs to return to Starkville after one March Madness game.

"Change" emphasizes the Association's transformative endeavors to help student-athletes. All Division I institutions must provide

[{"selector":"#anim-76cd48b2-e526-494f-bcf8-ea5d2c60d185 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(52.79508487194208%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Mississippi State trailed 12 early. The Bulldogs cut the deficit to five late in the first half but battled to stay within 10 in the second.

[{"selector":"#anim-ab992ef1-524f-4395-9d99-12af34e41bd5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Mississippi State couldn't string stops despite Michigan State's 16 turnovers. Three Spartan players scored in double figures on 50% shooting.

[{"selector":"#anim-18f600ec-2bdb-4d16-a2f9-b2e72f236733 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Mississippi State's Tolu Smith struggles again. Mississippi State forward Tolu Smith scored 21 points in a Feb. 27 loss to Kentucky.

[{"selector":"#anim-dab6560d-54d1-4f2a-abab-3ff9e8c0a763 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(55.89384161618901%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] He hasn't looked like an All-SEC player since, averaging 10.3 points in six games before the NCAA Tournament.

[{"selector":"#anim-516386bb-4797-4dbb-98c4-7c2c7782a356 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.233494604435435%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Mississippi State freshman guard Josh Hubbard has routinely performed well in key times this season. His first March Madness was similar.

Blueberry-banana Smoothie

[{"selector":"#anim-0ce5f4ad-6185-4fff-93bf-f39135550677 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Arrow Learn more

March Madness opener: Michigan State over Mississippi State.

Blueberry-banana Smoothie

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