Ellington

Two outstanding head football coaching hires happened last week. Southern Miss should be in good shape next season with Jay Hopson, and Fred McNair should be able to keep what Hopson built at Alcorn State running.

Thursday, Feb. 11

College basketball (6-8 p.m., SECN): No. 11 MSU Lady Bulldogs hit the road to face off against No. 12 Texas A&M Lady Aggies.

Friday, Feb. 12

Softball (5:30-8:30 p.m., SECN+): The 2016 Mississippi State softball season kicked off on Thursday, but you can catch game two of the season against Houston online.

Saturday, Feb. 13

College basketball (1-3 p.m., ESPNU): If the University of Mississippi is going to make a run for the Big Dance this year, now is the time to start, as the team plays a home game against Arkansas.

Sunday, Feb 14

NBA (7-10 p.m., TNT): Here's two ways you could spend your (anti-)Valentine's Day: Watch the return of AMC's "The Walking Dead" or the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, a final bow for retiring legend Kobe Bryant.

Monday, Feb. 15

College basketball (8-10 p.m., ESPNU): Alcorn State looks to keep climbing the SWAC standings as the team hosts a battle against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Tuesday, Feb. 16

College basketball (8-10 p.m., SECN): Any hope of a postseason bid is slipping away from Mississippi State unless the team can turn it on starting with its home game with Vanderbilt.

Wednesday, Feb. 17

College basketball (8-10 p.m., ESPN): Watch one of the biggest rivalries in college basketball as North Carolina hosts Duke. 
 As McNair and Hopson step into new roles, both will be under pressure to repeat the success of last season. USM and Alcorn State reached their respective conference championship games last season.

Follow Bryan Flynn at jfpsports.com, @jfpsports and at facebook.com/jfpsports.