Only seven teams have won the national championship but failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament the subsequent season. Heading into Wednesday's home game against Mississippi State, Kentucky has some work to do to avoid becoming the eighth. After beating Missouri in overtime on Saturday, the Wildcats were included among the last four teams in the latest tourney field released by ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi.The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are in the midst of one of their worst seasons ever. Mississippi State has lost 12 straight games, its longest losing streak since 1955. The Bulldogs posted their lowest point total of the shot-clock era in Saturday's 72-31 loss to Vanderbilt.TV: 8 p.m. ET, SEC Network.ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (7-19, 2-12 SEC): These Bulldogs already have tied for the third-most losses in a single season. And with at least five games remaining, Mississippi State is in jeopardy of surpassing the 1985-86 team (8-22) for the most losses in a season. Nonetheless, first-year coach Rick Ray told reporters he has no regrets about taking the job. "I have no buyer's remorse," Ray said, adding "I think it's a great opportunity and I think we're going to be good."ABOUT KENTUCKY (19-8, 10-4): Senior Julius Mays, a transfer from Wright State who used the NCAA's graduate rule to play immediately for the Wildcats, is scoring 14.1 points per game in February, well above his 9.9-point average. Mays scored a season-high 24 against Missouri, has made at least two 3-pointers in seven consecutive games, and is shooting a robust 45.5 percent beyond the arc in league play. He could thrive against a Mississippi State team that's allowed 106 3-pointers in 14 league games.TIP-INS1. Kentucky is looking for its fifth straight win in the series.2. Mississippi State is 242nd in the latest RPI, the lowest rating among all teams from BCS conferences. 3. Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday after averaging 13.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and five blocks as the Wildcats defeated Vanderbilt and Missouri. PREDICTION: Kentucky 79, Mississippi State 54