Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
WATCH: Coach Jans Media Session
January 10, 2023 | Men's Basketball
STARKVILLE - Head coach Chris Jans had the opportunity to meet with the media on Monday leading into this week's road games at Georgia and at No. 21 Auburn.
2022-23 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Quotes
January 9, 2023 – Media Session
Head Coach Chris Jans
Q: What are your thoughts on Georgia and specifically their backcourt?
CJ: "They're off to a great start. Coach White and his staff have done a tremendous job playing above national expectations. I'm sure they're not above their own expectations. They're just so solid in every way. If you look at them through a coaches' lens, in terms of efficiency across the board, there's just not a lot of areas where they don't play well. They're very similar efficiency wise offensive and defensive. They're another good offensive rebounding team. Coaches talk about this a lot – they know who they are, they know where the ball needs to go and whose hands the ball needs to be in most of the time. Like you mentioned up front, Terry [Roberts] and [Kario] Oquendo are both very good players having excellent years. They can score the ball in a variety of ways."
Q: Was Saturday's win something that can be spring boarded into a run?
CJ: "You would think so. We've got a big week with two games in a row on the road against two very good programs. You never know, but I'd think it would galvanize them [our players] and give them confidence that we can beat good teams in this league. Now, we've got to prove it away from home, which is obviously much harder to do."
"I think the way we played on Saturday is something we're going to obviously continue to talk about, but we played for the most part the way we feel this particular team has to play. [We were] getting second and third opportunities on the glass, playing inside and out, being stingy on defense, taking care of the basketball and making sure we get a shot attempt so we can actually rebound the ball, because you can't rebound turnovers. We've got to be particular with our shot selection; coaches will tell you that bad shot attempts are sometimes like turnovers and are hard to defend. We just don't have a lot of margin for error if you will, and it's something we have been talking about for months with our guys. So, I imagine they'll have some bounce in their step today, that they'll be reinvigorated and they'll be playing with a lot of confidence going into this road week."
Q: Was there any rhyme or reason to the 16-3 run against Ole Miss, or was it simply a matter of making shots?
CJ: "We didn't structurally do anything different during that run. It wasn't like all of a sudden we came up with a certain scheme or style of play and then went away from it. It's just that guys made shots. Our defense was still the impetus for that run, because we were getting our hands on the ball, and we were forcing turnovers which got out in transition. Let's be real, the crowd was a big difference maker. You could feel the energy, and the guys could feel it. They had a little extra bounce in their step, and the vibe was off the charts. It was a big reason why we were able to overcome the deficit that we had managed to find ourselves in."
Q: Do you thinks Dashawn Davis is getting into better condition with some of the big plays he's been making?
CJ: "I think so. I can't speak for him, but it would be a big bonus for us if he could play at maximum output all the time. I've felt all along since he arrived, and since I've gotten to work with him that he would be one of our best players. In the fall, he was relentless on the ball. He was pushing the ball and making athletic plays for himself and others. He got that injury early, and he has had a couple of nice games. It's hard to go weeks without practicing and then play your best on gameday. People do it across the country each and every year, but it's a tough task. You're bound to get out of shape."
"We had the break. He came back, and I believe he's pretty much 100 percent with his ankle. It definitely was a lingering injury, but he's starting to run harder in practice. We left him out there against Tennessee to get him in better game shape. We're doing what we can to get him to play at the level he needs to play for us."
Q: Was Will McNair's play on Saturday reminiscent of his time playing for you at New Mexico State?
CJ: "I mean Will was never a leading scorer, leading rebounder, or even a leading minute guy for us. He started a bunch of games for us his last year, but he wasn't a pivotal guy in terms of scoring the basketball or really leading in any category for that matter. However, we thought he improved so much from year to year, and he actually played his best against bigger guys in the league we were in. We didn't see that type of body each and every night, but he'd always play well. That happens to a lot of guys built like him."
"That [the Ole Miss game] was one of the better games I remember him having in terms of production. Certainly, he's had good games when the fans or the media may not think he did because it doesn't show up in the stat sheet. But from a coaching perspective, he's had plenty of games where he was very productive with his coverage and with his execution even if he wasn't the passer or scorer. Saturday, the number's spoke for themselves. He was in a big spot with Tolu [Smith] plagued with the foul issues that he was. He was the next man up and handled it very well. He's such a good communicator for us. He communicates so well every single day [in practice]. That's one thing he can hang his hat on, and our players know that he knows what's going on. Even though he doesn't get it perfect all the time, he knows what he should be doing. He really helps us on a daily basis with things like that."
2022-23 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Quotes
January 9, 2023 – Media Session
Head Coach Chris Jans
Q: What are your thoughts on Georgia and specifically their backcourt?
CJ: "They're off to a great start. Coach White and his staff have done a tremendous job playing above national expectations. I'm sure they're not above their own expectations. They're just so solid in every way. If you look at them through a coaches' lens, in terms of efficiency across the board, there's just not a lot of areas where they don't play well. They're very similar efficiency wise offensive and defensive. They're another good offensive rebounding team. Coaches talk about this a lot – they know who they are, they know where the ball needs to go and whose hands the ball needs to be in most of the time. Like you mentioned up front, Terry [Roberts] and [Kario] Oquendo are both very good players having excellent years. They can score the ball in a variety of ways."
Q: Was Saturday's win something that can be spring boarded into a run?
CJ: "You would think so. We've got a big week with two games in a row on the road against two very good programs. You never know, but I'd think it would galvanize them [our players] and give them confidence that we can beat good teams in this league. Now, we've got to prove it away from home, which is obviously much harder to do."
"I think the way we played on Saturday is something we're going to obviously continue to talk about, but we played for the most part the way we feel this particular team has to play. [We were] getting second and third opportunities on the glass, playing inside and out, being stingy on defense, taking care of the basketball and making sure we get a shot attempt so we can actually rebound the ball, because you can't rebound turnovers. We've got to be particular with our shot selection; coaches will tell you that bad shot attempts are sometimes like turnovers and are hard to defend. We just don't have a lot of margin for error if you will, and it's something we have been talking about for months with our guys. So, I imagine they'll have some bounce in their step today, that they'll be reinvigorated and they'll be playing with a lot of confidence going into this road week."
Q: Was there any rhyme or reason to the 16-3 run against Ole Miss, or was it simply a matter of making shots?
CJ: "We didn't structurally do anything different during that run. It wasn't like all of a sudden we came up with a certain scheme or style of play and then went away from it. It's just that guys made shots. Our defense was still the impetus for that run, because we were getting our hands on the ball, and we were forcing turnovers which got out in transition. Let's be real, the crowd was a big difference maker. You could feel the energy, and the guys could feel it. They had a little extra bounce in their step, and the vibe was off the charts. It was a big reason why we were able to overcome the deficit that we had managed to find ourselves in."
Q: Do you thinks Dashawn Davis is getting into better condition with some of the big plays he's been making?
CJ: "I think so. I can't speak for him, but it would be a big bonus for us if he could play at maximum output all the time. I've felt all along since he arrived, and since I've gotten to work with him that he would be one of our best players. In the fall, he was relentless on the ball. He was pushing the ball and making athletic plays for himself and others. He got that injury early, and he has had a couple of nice games. It's hard to go weeks without practicing and then play your best on gameday. People do it across the country each and every year, but it's a tough task. You're bound to get out of shape."
"We had the break. He came back, and I believe he's pretty much 100 percent with his ankle. It definitely was a lingering injury, but he's starting to run harder in practice. We left him out there against Tennessee to get him in better game shape. We're doing what we can to get him to play at the level he needs to play for us."
Q: Was Will McNair's play on Saturday reminiscent of his time playing for you at New Mexico State?
CJ: "I mean Will was never a leading scorer, leading rebounder, or even a leading minute guy for us. He started a bunch of games for us his last year, but he wasn't a pivotal guy in terms of scoring the basketball or really leading in any category for that matter. However, we thought he improved so much from year to year, and he actually played his best against bigger guys in the league we were in. We didn't see that type of body each and every night, but he'd always play well. That happens to a lot of guys built like him."
"That [the Ole Miss game] was one of the better games I remember him having in terms of production. Certainly, he's had good games when the fans or the media may not think he did because it doesn't show up in the stat sheet. But from a coaching perspective, he's had plenty of games where he was very productive with his coverage and with his execution even if he wasn't the passer or scorer. Saturday, the number's spoke for themselves. He was in a big spot with Tolu [Smith] plagued with the foul issues that he was. He was the next man up and handled it very well. He's such a good communicator for us. He communicates so well every single day [in practice]. That's one thing he can hang his hat on, and our players know that he knows what's going on. Even though he doesn't get it perfect all the time, he knows what he should be doing. He really helps us on a daily basis with things like that."
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballMEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans & Players SEC Tournament Postgame vs. Auburn - 3/11/26
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Monday, March 09
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Josh Hubbard & Ja'Borri McGhee Postgame Press Conference vs. Georgia - 3/7/26
Sunday, March 08
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Postgame Press Conference vs. Georgia - 3/7/26
Saturday, March 07