WATCH: Coach Jans Media Session

STARKVILLE - Mississippi State men's basketball coach Chris Jans met with the media leading into Tuesday's practice to discuss the Hall of Fame Tipoff Tournament title and preview Friday's matchup with Nicholls.

2023-24 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Quotes
Media Session – November 21, 2023

Head Coach Chris Jans
Q: Coming off a pair of big wins, now in the top 25, how have you seen the team bounce back and start looking forward to the next game after what the team accomplished last weekend?
CJ: "Well, I haven't seen them [the players] since we got off the bus on Sunday night after returning from Connecticut. The mood was great. We accomplished our goal. We went up there, won a trophy and won a championship. That's what we talked a lot about prior to leaving and during the actual tournament."

"They [the players] had a much-needed day off yesterday to kind of regroup and take care of their business academically. It's a short week [with the Thanksgiving holiday] so we need to make sure that we tidy up all of what we need to do. [We want them to] Have a fresh set of legs and fresh minds here this afternoon [for practice]. We'll regroup and start getting ready for the next game."

Q: When Tolu Smith was healthy earlier this summer, describe how the competition and the battles were in practice between him and Jimmy Bell Jr?
CJ: "It was fun to watch. You're talking about two experienced, veteran, big dudes going at one another. They did it in such a respectful way. I think both of them knew, once they got a feel for one another, that they were going to get along well, and they could make each other better. Even though it was competitive, it was from a respectful vantage point. Certainly, I'm disappointed with the situation that happened with Tolu [Smith] that they couldn't continue to do that. Hopefully, here come January, that won't be the case anymore."

Q: What's the difference between 5-0 this year compared to 5-0 last season?
CJ: "I haven't thought about it. Last season is over. Certainly, every game and every year, you get experience from it. You can gleam from it as you go forward. In particular, that question, hasn't really crossed my mind."

"The difference this year is just the injuries. We have had to retool how we played. I kept saying in the fall that the only silver lining was that we had time. We had all that time to tinker with lineups and figure out how we needed to play without an All-SEC proven guy [in Tolu Smith] around the basket that we had played offense through. So, that was the silver lining. Our staff has done an unbelievable job of coming up with ideas of how we need to play on both ends of the floor, and the guys that are healthy are getting it into the game."

Q: Did you see the mentality and edge that Josh Hubbard has during that recruitment process?
CJ: "Gosh, if you score 4,000-plus points, I imagine he's hit some big shots a lot. I haven't watched every one of his high school games, I was only around for his senior year. I've said all along that you don't really know your recruits, until they become your players. Until you're with them on a daily basis, and you get underneath them if you will of how they tick. What they're really all about. Certainly, you try to figure it out in the recruiting process. There's nothing like being a member of a team for months or years at a time, and you get an understanding of really what they're about."

"I've said it many times already that he's all about the right stuff. He's got an unbelievable work ethic. He's got a poise, and he's got a presence about him that's mature beyond his years. He's kind of got that 'It' factor to him, and he's showing everybody. I don't think our players are surprised. If you really pay attention, you can tell they respect him because of how excited they get for him when he makes a big shot or goes on a big run. So, it's been a big shot in the arm for us."

Q: What do you see from Nichols compared to last year?
CJ: "A different team, a different coach and a different style even. But like you said, if our kids can't get ready to play on Friday afternoon with what you just described with the win over LSU and the scare that they gave us last year here. We have enough information to present to them that we should have their attention. When you come off playing back-to-back Power Five teams and winning like we did, you could see them being a little bit flat. So, it's our job to make sure they're not especially this early in the season."

"They're a really good basketball team. They have the big win [at LSU]. They're very athletic. They're long. They play really hard, but it's going to be a challenge for us. We're going to see a lot of zone [defense] more than likely. They employ a matchup type zone that is similar to what Southern Miss. ran against us. So, we've had a little experience against it. It's going to be a good matchup for us."

Q: How have you dealt with the minutes output between the five guards that you have?
CJ: "It's a work in progress. It's nice to have options. When you stand up and think about who you're going to put in next, I've had many years where it's a one or two step bench walk. Now, we can walk four or five steps and have different options down there. So, it's a lot more fun as a coach when you've got options depending on the time and score, and the rhythm of the game of who you want to put in there next."

"It'll all play out. I've been doing this long enough to know unfortunately stuff happens. You want to have that depth for when those moments come. You want to have all your players prepared and ready for the moment when their moment comes. So, we'll see how it unfolds as the year moves on."

WATCH: Coach Jans Media Session

Players Mentioned

Josh Hubbard

Tolu Smith III

Mississippi State University Athletics