SMU hopes to send an early-season message when it hosts Mississippi State on Friday in Dallas.

“We want to make sure that Friday’s game is going to be a statement game for us,” senior forward Keon Ambrose-Hylton said. “Showing not just for our fans but showing the country that we are here to play. We are here to get to the tournament.”

Mississippi State is a good measuring stick for that as it has made the past two NCAA Tournaments under Chris Jans. The Bulldogs (4-0) are coming off a 78-73 victory over Utah on Sunday.

As far as facing SMU (4-1), Jans mentioned this is the first time his team will see “big-time size.”

“Not just who they start, but who they come off the bench with. They’ve got quality size up and down their roster,” Jans said. “We haven’t faced that all year long. We don’t have that in our practice, so it’ll be different.”

The Bulldogs are led by Josh Hubbard, the standout sophomore who had 23 points, hitting five 3-pointers, in the victory over the Utes. KeShawn Murphy shined in the game, too, with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

The Mustangs, meanwhile, are 4-0 at home, with their only setback an 81-70 loss at Butler on Nov. 15. They bounced back with a 110-69 victory over Prairie View A&M on Monday.

SMU had just a five-point lead at halftime before outscoring Prairie View A&M 59-23 in the second half. Matt Cross finished 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Mustangs. Chuck Harris also scored 17 points, while Ambrose-Hylton added 14.

Coach Andy Enfield talked about Cross’ performance after the game, saying: “His plus-minus was plus-44, which is probably the highest I’ve ever seen. So, he just did it all tonight.”

This will be the first meeting between SMU and Mississippi State on the hardwood. The Mustangs will pay a return visit to Starkville, Miss., in the 2025-26 season.