Led by head coach Babe McCarthy, the Bulldogs finished with a 22–6 record (12–2 SEC) and received an invitation to the NCAA tournament in the Mideast region.

[1] Mississippi State secured the SEC title outright with a win over Ole Miss on March 2.

On March 2, 1963, Colvard issued a statement announcing that he would be sending the team to the tournament "unless hindered by competent authority.

In what is now called the "Game of Change", the Bulldogs faced a majority-black Loyola-Chicago team in the Mideast regional semifinal.

They lost 61–51, but won a consolation game against Bowling Green the following day to finish in 3rd place for the Mideast region.