The Mississippi State men's basketball team claimed the program's third postseason trip over the last four seasons as the Bulldogs will take on Saint Louis from the Atlantic 10 Conference announced Sunday by the NIT Selection Committee.

The Bulldogs (15-14) and Billikens (14-6) will meet during Saturday's Round of 16. Tip time is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT from the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. The game will be televised by ESPN and available online courtesy of the Watch ESPN app. 
 
Mississippi State and Saint Louis are paired with Richmond from the Atlantic 10 Conference and Toledo from the Mid-American Conference in its four-team pod. The winners will advance to the quarterfinal round on Thursday, March 25 at a time to be determined.
 
Mississippi State is one of eight SEC programs in postseason action. The Bulldogs are joined by Ole Miss in the NIT, while Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, LSU, Missouri and Tennessee received bids to the NCAA Tournament.
 
"I'm excited for our team and for our program," head coach Ben Howland said. "This is a great opportunity for us to play in the postseason, and we're looking forward to facing a quality Saint Louis team."
 
In total, Mississippi State has tucked away 12 postseason appearances during the 2000s. The Bulldogs advanced to the 2018 NIT Final Four under Howland fueled by victories over a trio of fellow Power 5 programs in Nebraska, Baylor and Louisville.
 
2021 NIT – Top Right Bracket
Wednesday, March 17
(2) Richmond vs. (3) Toledo, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN2
Saturday, March 20
(1) Saint Louis vs. (4) Mississippi State, 4 p.m. CT, ESPN
 
2021 NIT – Bottom Right Bracket
Wednesday, March 17
(2) Saint Mary's vs. (3) Western Kentucky, 8 p.m. CT, ESPN2
Friday, March 19
(1) Ole Miss vs. (4) Louisiana Tech, 8 p.m. CT, ESPN2
 
2021 NIT – Top Left Bracket
Thursday, March 18
(2) Davidson vs. (3) North Carolina State, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN
Friday, March 19
(1) Colorado State vs. (4) Buffalo, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN2
 
2021 NIT – Bottom Left Bracket
Thursday, March 18
(2) Boise State vs. (3) SMU, 8 p.m. CT, ESPN
Saturday, March 20
(1) Memphis vs. (4) Dayton, 11 a.m. CT, ESPN