Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
WATCH: Coach Jans Media Session
February 06, 2023 | Men's Basketball
STARKVILLE - Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans had an opportunity to speak with the media on Monday leading into practice to preview Wednesday's matchup versus LSU.
2022-23 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Quotes
February 6, 2023 – Media Session
Head Coach Chris Jans
Q: Starting off with Tolu being named SEC Player of the Week. I think he's averaged over 20
points and 10 rebounds over his last four games since Florida when he was on the bench at the end of the game. The way you've talked about him in the past, I'm sure the way he's responded hasn't surprised you at all.
CJ: "No, it doesn't surprise me. I was asked about that postgame, 'What do I tell Tolu when he's obviously one our main guys and he's not playing in a tight ball game down the stretch?' My response was nothing. I mean, he and I have a great relationship, and he gets it. He wasn't playing great, and someone else was."
"I have no idea if that has any bearing on how he's played since, you'd have to ask him that. I have no clue. But certainly we're excited about how he's playing. Happy for him, and the team to receive accolades like that in the middle of the season, I think everybody understands that certainly he individually reaps the dividends of it, but it gives recognition for our team. People have to give him the ball when he's open and sacrifice some of their game when he's cooking like that. So, he's deserving of everything he gets and happy for him."
Q: I know you talked about this when you guys were going to South Carolina about not overlooking the opponent. Is it easy to follow up and say the same thing about LSU when they're coming in this week?"
CJ: "I mean we're guaranteed nine more games in a marathon basketball season. I don't think that word will ever come out of my mouth the rest of the season. We're not in any sort of position to be overlooking anybody. We still know where we sit in the standings and what our record is in league play. I'm sure LSU is frothing at the mouth to play someone that has a 3-7 record instead of some of the teams that they've played recently. So, I just can't imagine that there will be any of that in our locker room this afternoon or on the practice court or all week for that matter. But I definitely don't feel like it needs to be addressed from me."
Q: Like you mentioned with D.J. Jeffries the other day, what have you thought of Eric Reed Jr.'s contributions on defense and rebounding right now while his shots aren't really falling?"
CJ: "Yeah, it's tough sometimes. Individually, we're all human. When you work so hard at your craft and you spend so much time in the gym like Eric does, and the ball doesn't go in the hole, it becomes frustrating. I know he's frustrated individually. His teammates have been great with him. They continue to encourage him to shoot the ball. We've continued to encourage him to shoot the ball. He had some great rhythm looks on Saturday that could've been huge, kind of get some separation baskets for us especially in the second half."
"He's going to knock them down. I've got a lot of confidence in him. Like you said, if he wasn't doing the other things, he wouldn't be on the floor. He's such a dependable defender, rebounder and understands what we're trying to do in all facets of the game. He rarely turns the ball over, and he plays within himself. That's a great quality to have as a college basketball player. So, I think when he starts making those shots that will be a huge shot in the arm for us."
Q: Last week, we talked about D.J. Jefferies. You mentioned him trying to work with him to do more driving in the lane and dishing for others. We saw some of that Saturday and I'm guessing that's what you want to see more of him.
CJ: "Yeah, it was really good. One of my friends commented to me that doesn't live around here that just watches us said that they had no idea he was that athletic. Like, oh yeah, he can really move and glide. He's definitely more athletic than maybe people give him credit for. He's so good at it, I don't know why he doesn't do it more often."
"I think the three-ball is so prevalent in our game. Everybody wants to shoot the three, no matter what size and shape they are. It moves the needle if you will. If you walk into a gym, that's what everybody gravitates towards, the three-point line. D.J. is no different, but it's nice to see him take some advice and understand that there's a lot of ways to impact the game. He did that for us. He's getting in that lane. He's understanding how to slice cut which a term that we use without the ball and then kind of get the ball on the move. When he gets downhill like that with his length and athleticism, he's hard to guard. So, we've got to continue to find ways to put him and guys like Cam Matthews, who is good at that as well, in those positions that can get to the rim or get to the line or create some help situations and kick out for others."
"But, it's not as if we've told him not to shoot the ball. He works at it, and he makes them in practice at a better clip than he makes them in games. I fully believe that, just like I talked about Eric earlier, that he'll make some shots for us … We talk a lot about not taking the bait. We want to score early. We want to explore what there is to offer and what the defense gives you. But, at the same time, understanding that we can't just throw it up because we're open. There are some shots out there that we've taken in almost every game that probably aren't the best for us right now. That's a touchy subject because you want them to play with great confidence, you want to give them a lot of freedom and I think we do that. But at the same time, you want to play in that character that we talk about a lot with how we need to play to be successful."
Q: What have you seen from LSU's program that impresses you about how they're handling things right now?"
CJ: "They've had a similar season in terms of getting out of the gate strong and having a great non-conference portion of the season with their record. I'm sure, like us, the expectations weren't to get out of the gate like that. Then, it raised expectations heading into league play. They start off with that win against Arkansas. Then, lost by 3 at Kentucky. Then, they're in the midst of a tough streak."
"But just watching the game they played Saturday versus Alabama, they were in that game all the way to the last 3-to-4 minutes of the basketball game. It was a one or two possession game all the way up until the end, and we all know how good Alabama is. So, obviously, it's impressive that they continue to compete, fight and scratch. I'm sure it's very similar to what I've talked about, in that, if you're playing at that level then your practices are good. Your cohesiveness is staying the same. That's hard to do. We've won a few lately so you would expect your kid's enthusiasm and mood to be better, and it is. But they've obviously kept it together, and I know they're starving for a win."
Q: We've seen some impressive dunks throughout this year. Is there a point during a game where it kind of surprises you?
CJ: "Yeah, I'm used to it. They definitely have had some highlight moments, and it's fun to apart of it. Certainly, they're game changers. They're worth the same amount of points as a layup, but let's be honest it just ignites the crowd. It ignites your own team, and it causes timeouts sometimes by the opposing team when you're at home. Even on the road, they just make the team feel better. So, when we make athletic plays like that, it can only help our team. We've had a bunch of them lately."
2022-23 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Quotes
February 6, 2023 – Media Session
Head Coach Chris Jans
Q: Starting off with Tolu being named SEC Player of the Week. I think he's averaged over 20
points and 10 rebounds over his last four games since Florida when he was on the bench at the end of the game. The way you've talked about him in the past, I'm sure the way he's responded hasn't surprised you at all.
CJ: "No, it doesn't surprise me. I was asked about that postgame, 'What do I tell Tolu when he's obviously one our main guys and he's not playing in a tight ball game down the stretch?' My response was nothing. I mean, he and I have a great relationship, and he gets it. He wasn't playing great, and someone else was."
"I have no idea if that has any bearing on how he's played since, you'd have to ask him that. I have no clue. But certainly we're excited about how he's playing. Happy for him, and the team to receive accolades like that in the middle of the season, I think everybody understands that certainly he individually reaps the dividends of it, but it gives recognition for our team. People have to give him the ball when he's open and sacrifice some of their game when he's cooking like that. So, he's deserving of everything he gets and happy for him."
Q: I know you talked about this when you guys were going to South Carolina about not overlooking the opponent. Is it easy to follow up and say the same thing about LSU when they're coming in this week?"
CJ: "I mean we're guaranteed nine more games in a marathon basketball season. I don't think that word will ever come out of my mouth the rest of the season. We're not in any sort of position to be overlooking anybody. We still know where we sit in the standings and what our record is in league play. I'm sure LSU is frothing at the mouth to play someone that has a 3-7 record instead of some of the teams that they've played recently. So, I just can't imagine that there will be any of that in our locker room this afternoon or on the practice court or all week for that matter. But I definitely don't feel like it needs to be addressed from me."
Q: Like you mentioned with D.J. Jeffries the other day, what have you thought of Eric Reed Jr.'s contributions on defense and rebounding right now while his shots aren't really falling?"
CJ: "Yeah, it's tough sometimes. Individually, we're all human. When you work so hard at your craft and you spend so much time in the gym like Eric does, and the ball doesn't go in the hole, it becomes frustrating. I know he's frustrated individually. His teammates have been great with him. They continue to encourage him to shoot the ball. We've continued to encourage him to shoot the ball. He had some great rhythm looks on Saturday that could've been huge, kind of get some separation baskets for us especially in the second half."
"He's going to knock them down. I've got a lot of confidence in him. Like you said, if he wasn't doing the other things, he wouldn't be on the floor. He's such a dependable defender, rebounder and understands what we're trying to do in all facets of the game. He rarely turns the ball over, and he plays within himself. That's a great quality to have as a college basketball player. So, I think when he starts making those shots that will be a huge shot in the arm for us."
Q: Last week, we talked about D.J. Jefferies. You mentioned him trying to work with him to do more driving in the lane and dishing for others. We saw some of that Saturday and I'm guessing that's what you want to see more of him.
CJ: "Yeah, it was really good. One of my friends commented to me that doesn't live around here that just watches us said that they had no idea he was that athletic. Like, oh yeah, he can really move and glide. He's definitely more athletic than maybe people give him credit for. He's so good at it, I don't know why he doesn't do it more often."
"I think the three-ball is so prevalent in our game. Everybody wants to shoot the three, no matter what size and shape they are. It moves the needle if you will. If you walk into a gym, that's what everybody gravitates towards, the three-point line. D.J. is no different, but it's nice to see him take some advice and understand that there's a lot of ways to impact the game. He did that for us. He's getting in that lane. He's understanding how to slice cut which a term that we use without the ball and then kind of get the ball on the move. When he gets downhill like that with his length and athleticism, he's hard to guard. So, we've got to continue to find ways to put him and guys like Cam Matthews, who is good at that as well, in those positions that can get to the rim or get to the line or create some help situations and kick out for others."
"But, it's not as if we've told him not to shoot the ball. He works at it, and he makes them in practice at a better clip than he makes them in games. I fully believe that, just like I talked about Eric earlier, that he'll make some shots for us … We talk a lot about not taking the bait. We want to score early. We want to explore what there is to offer and what the defense gives you. But, at the same time, understanding that we can't just throw it up because we're open. There are some shots out there that we've taken in almost every game that probably aren't the best for us right now. That's a touchy subject because you want them to play with great confidence, you want to give them a lot of freedom and I think we do that. But at the same time, you want to play in that character that we talk about a lot with how we need to play to be successful."
Q: What have you seen from LSU's program that impresses you about how they're handling things right now?"
CJ: "They've had a similar season in terms of getting out of the gate strong and having a great non-conference portion of the season with their record. I'm sure, like us, the expectations weren't to get out of the gate like that. Then, it raised expectations heading into league play. They start off with that win against Arkansas. Then, lost by 3 at Kentucky. Then, they're in the midst of a tough streak."
"But just watching the game they played Saturday versus Alabama, they were in that game all the way to the last 3-to-4 minutes of the basketball game. It was a one or two possession game all the way up until the end, and we all know how good Alabama is. So, obviously, it's impressive that they continue to compete, fight and scratch. I'm sure it's very similar to what I've talked about, in that, if you're playing at that level then your practices are good. Your cohesiveness is staying the same. That's hard to do. We've won a few lately so you would expect your kid's enthusiasm and mood to be better, and it is. But they've obviously kept it together, and I know they're starving for a win."
Q: We've seen some impressive dunks throughout this year. Is there a point during a game where it kind of surprises you?
CJ: "Yeah, I'm used to it. They definitely have had some highlight moments, and it's fun to apart of it. Certainly, they're game changers. They're worth the same amount of points as a layup, but let's be honest it just ignites the crowd. It ignites your own team, and it causes timeouts sometimes by the opposing team when you're at home. Even on the road, they just make the team feel better. So, when we make athletic plays like that, it can only help our team. We've had a bunch of them lately."
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballJosh Hubbard - "I'm Back"
Friday, April 17
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans & Players SEC Tournament Postgame vs. Auburn - 3/11/26
Thursday, March 12
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Media Session - 3/9/26
Monday, March 09
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Josh Hubbard & Ja'Borri McGhee Postgame Press Conference vs. Georgia - 3/7/26
Sunday, March 08