WATCH: Coach Jans Media Session

STARKVILLE - Mississippi State men's basketball coach Chris Jans met with the media leading into Monday's practice to look back on Saturday's win over Tulane and preview Wednesday's home matchup with Murray State.

2023-24 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Quotes
Media Session – December 11, 2023

Mississippi State Head Coach Chris Jans
Q: It seems like when Rams [Dashawn Davis] is aggressive, the offense is different when he's on his game. Do you see that same thing?
CJ: "Yeah, that's an on-point observation. I feel like when he's playing his best when he's setting the tone out front defensively, they usually end up being good possessions for us. Then, on the offensive end, when he's just stubborn in terms of getting in the paint. Then, when he gets in the paint, we're really working with him on not jumping to pass or jumping to find a pass. But he certainly is better, like most players are, when he plays off two feet. It's okay to jump to pass, but you can't jump and try to find. You've got to have a plan when you leave your feet that way."

"He's really gotten himself in better shape. It's always been a struggle that way for him. He was hurt last year and took a long time to get back in shape. With his surgery this summer, it was the same thing. I know it's easy to say, and you would think that he should be in tip-top shape by now, but for whatever reason it's just a struggle sometimes to get him where he needs to be. Like most players he's a much better player when he's fresher and doesn't have to fight the shape type of situation. We love when he's motored up and playing both ends. He gives us so much more than the stat line offers at the end of the game."

Q: I know you've been asked about Josh [Hubbard] a lot. But when you knew that he would be coming here, did you ever think that he could make such an impact so quickly to this program? How much of a surprise has it been for you?
CJ: "I try not to project things like that because you just never know. Certainly, you sign kids with the thought process being that they can impact the program in a positive way. More often than not, freshmen take a bit longer than maybe an older transfer or even a junior college player just because of the experience. You just never know."

"Certainly, we've been pleasantly surprised at the least with Josh and how he's impacted us in a very short time period. I would imagine if you asked him, he's not surprised. He's one of those kids that's got great confidence. He carries himself in a way where it's not boastful or anything like that. It is what it is for him. He's been preparing for these opportunities for the majority of his life, or at least his athletic life. I don't think him or his family is probably surprised. Did I expect him to lead us in scoring and have these kind of stretches? No, I can't sit here and say that, but it's definitely been a big shot in the arm for us."

Q: D.J. [Jeffries] finished +41 on Saturday. More often than not even though when his offense isn't at his best you guys are better with him on the court. What has he been doing without scoring all the time to make himself valuable and useful?
CJ: "Yeah, D.J. had a really nice game. I'm really happy for him, and hopefully that will boost his confidence in the near future. When you see that ball go through the net, there's just something about it that makes you feel better when you're getting ready to shoot the next one. Like you said, he provides us a lot on both ends of the court. His length, his experience and his speed. He's really good in transition. Then, defensively, he can guard 1-though-4. With the way our scheme is right now, it's invaluable to have guys on the court that have the willingness and the ability to be able to guard mismatches, if you will. He just understands how to play, and he's been there, done that. We've got a lot of belief in him."

Q: Is there any kind of not so much a timeframe for when Tolu [Smith III] returns to games, but the next step as far as getting back in practice?
CJ: "He has a scan scheduled for Thursday. So, the day after our next game, he'll have a scan. At that point, I'll know a lot more in terms of when he'll transition back to practice. I think, in next couple of days, he'll be doing some five-on-zero things with us in the halfcourt for sure maybe even in the full court. He's still not allowed to have any contact or anything like that, but he's been shooting on his own. [He's been] Getting some free throws in, some jump shots and stuff around the basket, just one-on-zero. So, we're hoping fingers crossed, that we get a good update on Thursday. I'll know more then."

Q: Ahead of Wednesday's game against Murray State, who's a strong mid major program historically, what do you see out of them and the challenges that they will present?
CJ: "Like you said, historically, a great mid-major program. They've got really great players and coaches that have come through Murray State. They have another good one in Steve Prohm. I know him well. He's a great guy and a really good coach. He's getting that thing going down there again in his second stint. They're just very well-schooled. They try to play mistake-free basketball, and they're really solid on the defensive end. They're going to try to play in the gaps and almost dare you to shoot the ball while trying to protect the painted area as best as they can."

"What they're known for is the other end [on offense]. They run as many sets as probably anyone we've faced thus far. They really pride themselves on their pace and their execution. They share the ball really, really well, and they're very well-schooled like I said on both ends. But that offensive end will be a challenge for us to try to take some things away from them."

Q: Going back to Tolu [Smith III], there have been a couple of times this year where I've seen him yell out to Jimmy [Bell Jr.] or Gai [Chol] from the bench. How much do you think him seeing the game from his perspective right now can benefit him even with all of his experience?
CJ: "Yeah, he's been great that way. He's had the right personality, I guess. He's not talking down to anyone. He's encouraging, not just Jimmy and Gai, but other players as well. I know he's been a real friend to Murph [KeShawn Murphy] as he's battled back from his injury. Now, he's trying to earn minutes on the court, and they're real close. I can hear him talking to him in practice quite a bit and encouraging him."

"I think I've seen him even grow that way in terms of understanding what a leader is. How he can help other players because of the respect that he's earned, not only with his play but just with his approach and his mindset on a daily basis. He's built real good relationships with a lot of the players. Certainly, it's one thing to lead when you're not able to play. Now, as he transitions back, we're hoping that he can give us a boost that way too."

Mississippi State University Athletics

WATCH: Coach Jans Media Session

Players Mentioned

Dashawn Davis

KeShawn Murphy

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