WATCH: Coach Jans Media Session

STARKVILLE - Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans met with the media leading into Monday's practice to preview this week's action against Ole Miss and at LSU.

Mississippi State Head Coach Chris Jans
Q: With a rematch against Ole Miss this week, what do you take away from the first matchup that you could use in preparation for this week's matchup?
CJ: "Certainly, you go back and review that game like everybody does. We try to figure out what we can do better in terms of planning and practicing. Both ways, the good and the bad. I'm sure they're doing the same. We just didn't defend well enough. We scored enough points, I think, to win a game on the road, and we just had some breakdowns. We've got to try to clean them up."

Q: No one needs to overstate how big this rivalry game is and how much it means to fans considering the context with both teams being 6-6 in SEC play. Based on your experience with what's at stake in rivalry games and this one, could that play a role in upping its intensity?
CJ: "Oh, I think the game will be very intense regardless of it being a rivalry or not. Coach [Chris] Beard's teams plays really, really hard, and they're always going to be well prepared. I'm sure they're talking about the same things that we're talking about now is with the importance of each and every game."

"It's like what I say about the actual game when they unfold. Everything matters, every possession matters. But down the stretch, they're more important because there's only a few left. You don't have time, time runs out. I've been talking about opportunities all year long with this team, and that we're going to have a bunch of them, especially when the SEC play got here, and we have. Just like I tell our team, they're wasted opportunities if you don't take advantage of them. Then, you don't want to be down the stretch having to have a bunch of must-win games in order to get where we're trying to go."

"The rivalry is what it is. We understand the importance of it. We understand what it means in the state. We understand what it means to our fanbase, and we understand that we lost the first game on the road. So, that certainly is going to add to what's going on this week."

Q: Shawn [Jones Jr.] has been in the starting lineup the past few games. How do you feel he's done in that role?
CJ: "He's done well. He's playing hard like he usually does. He's one of our better checkout guys that we've got. He's consistently shielding his man from getting offensive rebounds, and he's really consistent that way. What I like about him is he's working on everyone's game all the time. We're trying to accentuate the positives and stay away from their negatives or improve their negatives when we're not out in front of everybody. So. when they get in the game, they can do other things."

"With Shawn, just driving in that lane, playing off two feet and making others better. Understanding that if he doesn't have a clear path to the goal, there's other people that are open because the help's come over and slid over. If you've really paid attention, he's doing much better when it comes to that. Before, he had kind of a one-track mind when he drove the ball if he's trying to score each and every opportunity. He's really improved that way and making good decisions. With his shot selection, I know he isn't shooting the percentage that he would like from three. But he's been really working on it, and he's taking the right ones."

Q: As D.J. [Jeffries] works his way back, how much do you have to consider how he fits in the rotation, given the confidence and momentum that the group is getting with Shawn in the rotation right now?
CJ: "Oh, we're going to welcome D.J. back with open arms as soon as he's ready to go. He's overall one of our better players. Obviously, he does so many things for our basketball team, and he has for two years. Like I said Saturday night, it's probably the fact that he tried to go. It was pretty obvious that he wasn't 100 percent, but he convinced me he's going to give it a shot. The trainer [Andrew Kegley] said that there was nothing that would – he wouldn't have a setback I guess. It was going to hurt the injury any worse than it already was. So, we decided to give him a shot. But after his first run, he said he just couldn't go. Hopefully, by Wednesday, he'll be ready."

Q: You guys are expecting another sellout on Wednesday. In KenPom, they have Mississippi State as a top 10 homecourt advantage team. What have you thought of the environment you guys have built here, and why you think the Hump seems to be the place that's making a difference?
CJ: "Yeah, I'm excited about the crowds. I think we had three sellouts last year if I'm not mistaken, and we've already surpassed that with a few games left on the season. We certainly appreciate them being our sixth man. They certainly helped us down the stretch against Arkansas. The place got really loud the last few defensive possessions and kind of got us over the hump to be able to bring it home."

"In terms of homecourt advantage, I don't know anything about that. I would imagine it's probably because we must play better at home in terms of point differential, maybe some efficiency, metrics that are out there. Part of that probably is because we've stunk a lot on the road this year. So, therefore, your numbers are a little bit better at home. But don't get me wrong, our fans have grown. We're appreciative of it. Hopefully, they continue to like our style of play, and that our kids compete every single night and leave everything on the floor."

Q: You talked a little on Saturday about the trust that you have in Josh [Hubbard] and that he's done. What plays into not just a young player, but any player that you coach in earning that trust from you?
CJ: "Yeah, I like everyday guys. I like guys that show up to practice, film, or weights and are ready to work. Certainly, nobody's perfect. There are days we don't feel as well as others, and other things may distract you. Life gets in the way, if you will, of what we're trying to do. But Josh is an everyday guy. I don't think he's ever really had a bad practice since he's been here. He's had better ones than others, but it's never where he wasn't focused, or he wasn't coachable. He gives effort every single day. I love that about him and about the players that have that mindset. For him to come in as a newbie and be able to do that is impressive … He continues to get better and better and keeps earning our trust."

Mississippi State University Athletics

WATCH: Coach Jans Media Session

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