Photo by: Mike Mattina/MSU Athletics
WATCH: Coach Jans, Cameron Matthews, Tolu Smith III Media Session
March 17, 2024 | Men's Basketball
STARKVILLE - Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans along with Cameron Matthews and Tolu Smith III met with the media on Sunday following the team's watch party event.
2023-24 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Postgame Quotes
NCAA Tournament Selection Show – March 17, 2024
Mississippi State Head Coach Chris Jans
Q: How different were the expectations watching the NCAA Selection Show this year compared to last year?
CJ: "I wasn't as nervous as last year. When they wait until the last bracket, you start thinking some crazy thoughts because of how historic the championship week was. All the chatter about how difficult it was for the committee to leave some teams [out] that were deserving in most years out of the [NCAA] Tournament. When you start seeing some teams that you thought maybe you were ahead of getting some decent seeds, your mind plays tricks on you. Certainly, it made it more gratifying to see our name come up as an eight seed."
Q: What was it like to see the reaction from your players of getting your name called?
CJ: "That's what I told [my wife] Sheri. We were standing next to each other looking at the TV above us. Once I figured out there were TVs over there, we turned around so we could watch them and see it come up at the same time. It was cool, it was fun. That's one of those moments that you never forget to see their joyful reaction. For some of them, a dream to come true since they started playing this game. It was really nice to see them celebrate and enjoy it. I'm going to let them do that the rest of the evening."
Q: Was there ever a feeling maybe after the LSU win or Tennessee win that you felt comfortable of making the field today?
CJ: "Obviously with each win, you feel a little bit better about it. With Tennessee's resumé and where they stand, in terms of metrics, etcetera you felt like, 'Man, we should be in there by now.' That wasn't our mindset at all down in Nashville. We expected to be playing this afternoon with a chance to cut down some nets like Auburn did. We certainly were disappointed and still are with those results. Now, we'll turn the page and get ready for the NCAA Tournament. You just never know. I try not to dig too deep into what everyone is saying and let it play out."
Q: Where do you feel like your team is heading into March Madness?
CJ: "I think we're playing better. I thought 120 minutes in three consecutive days with noon starts every game. Those are tough turnarounds. They were locked in, and I thought they played better defensively than we had in some of the previous games down the stretch of the regular season schedule. We had some down moments there. We had some stretches that we'd like to get back which is pretty typical for most games. I think they've seen and got back to how we need to play to be successful. We shared some information with them to get them to understand. When we were playing our best, why was that? It went back to our core principles of a program. I think they rallied around that and really helped us win a couple of games down there."
Q: How prepared has the tough SEC schedule made you for this tournament?
CJ: "We'll find out here soon enough. We have a ton of respect for the Big Ten, the Michigan State Spartans and all that. They play in an equally tough basketball conference, so I'm sure they're battle-tested themselves. Even playing in Nashville with the platform, lights and the stage, it feels like the NCAA Tournament. I've been fortunately to a bunch of NCAA Tournament games with different positions on the bench. It's different when you're new at it, and the SEC Tournament feels just like it. Other than the courts are the NCAA March Madness brand. I think playing three games down there should make everyone more comfortable and not have the lights so bright. Hopefully, that experience will help us going into this weekend."
Q: With the way you played defensively against LSU and Tennessee, does that give you confidence that you can play good defense no matter who the opponent is?
CJ: "We've got a confident group. I think our confidence is as high as it's been all season long. I don't ask them all the time but just from reading body language and the vibe that we've got going on in our practices right now. Every coach in America wants their team to be playing their absolute best coming down the stretch, and we're no different. I think we're in a really good spot."
"I want to get this out there because I won't be asked about it. I think a couple of individuals need to be recognized, and we will have forgotten about that. In my opinion, the reason we're getting the seed and maybe in the tournament goes back to Jimmy Bell [Jr.] and Gai Chol. I don't know where we would be if Gai Chol didn't play at the level that he played. It wasn't 25 or 30 minutes a night, but he was invaluable for us in some of those games when Tolu wasn't available. Jimmy, with the work that he put in as a starter before Tolu's return, I'm not sure we would've been able to handle some of those teams like we did. I think those two guys are our unsung heroes for our complete body of work this season."
Q: How do you think you've been able to have so much success with this program?
CJ: "I said it when I got here that Coach [Ben] Howland and his staff did a tremendous job of having good players and equally important having good kids in the program. I meant what I said. Fortunately, they gave us some time to get to know them. In the end, for the most part, the ones that we wanted to come back. They came back, and it was some blind faith on their part. We sold them a vision of what we thought we could do. Part of it was that we didn't have a three or four-year plan."
"If you remember back to when I was introduced here, that's what I talked about. We're not trying to build a program. We're trying to build a team each and every year to make the NCAA Tournament and go on runs. I meant what I said. Fortunately, the majority of the kids I guess thought that was going to happen. So, it goes back to that. We started with a core group that believed, and we certainly added pieces over time. Then, this year heading into the season with all the returnees and the guys that we added, we thought we would have a chance to be even better. Behind closed doors, we raised the bar a little bit with the end-of-the-season goals that we have. We're not there yet, but we're in a position now to have a chance to do that."
Forward Cameron Matthews
Q: What do you remember from your experience in the NCAA Tournament last year that can help you guys this week?
CM: "I just remember being excited. It's been a long time since being in the tournament but having the feeling that there's more on the table for us. I think that's what we came into the season thinking. We were going to get better and improve from last year."
Q: How do you feel like the SEC schedule helped prepare you for the NCAA Tournament?
CM: "I feel like the SEC helped us a lot. Top-to-bottom, there are a lot of really good teams, and they're in the [NCAA] Tournament. I feel like we played really well on neutral courts. We're going to have fans that will come out, but I feel like we will have our own fuel during the game."
Q: What gives you confidence that you will be able to bounce back from pretty much anything that's thrown your way in March Madness?
CM: "Just the way we practice, and the way we get after it every day in practice. I have the most faith in all my teammates and my coaches. I know we will go out and compete no matter what."
Q: What does it mean to be a part of this veteran core that has made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances?
CM: "It means a lot. It puts a lot of pressure on me and Tolu, but we're big boys. We can handle it. We look out for the younger guys, and the guys that are coming after us just trying to lay a foundation for them."
Forward Tolu Smith III
Q: How different was the mindset of getting back into the NCAA Tournament this year compared to last year?
TS III: "First, it was a great feeling that got in. We put a lot of work into this. Getting our whole core back had us believing in each other, our capabilities, all the work we put in and our coaching staff. It's a great feeling to see all that work pay off."
Q: What does it mean to have Jimmy Bell Jr. and Gai Chol to have those two guys help when you weren't able to?
TS III: "They still help this team. Gai [Chol] might not be playing a lot, but he's vocal for a freshman. He has a lot of potential coming up. Jimmy [Bell Jr.] is one of my favorite teammates. I'm not trying to say that I have a favorite, but he's a guy that I really mesh well with. He's always motivating me and pushing me. We're always pushing each other, and he's a great brother to be around. Having them on the team is a blessing, and they're steadily helping us. They have been helping us, and they still help us to this day."
Q: What makes Coach Jans so successful as a coach?
TS III: "Man, there's so much that goes into his abilities and the coaching staff's abilities that even the players don't see. They work long nights and early mornings. They're always in the office talking about ways to get better and stuff like that. A lot of people don't see the hard work they put in. For the SEC Tournament, they were working day in and day out. While I was sleeping, they would still be in the office. It's crazy the amount of hours they put in. So, it's stuff like that. I think that's the distinguishing factor between a good coach and a great coach. Coach Jans is a great coach."
Q: Going into this tournament, what is it about this team that would cause other teams to not want to face you?
TS III: "Defense, that's what we live on. That's what we [hang] our hat on. We hang our hat on defense. We thrive off of that, and that's how we play well. Every time we have a good game, it's because of defense. I think any team would have a hard time dealing with us."
2023-24 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Postgame Quotes
NCAA Tournament Selection Show – March 17, 2024
Mississippi State Head Coach Chris Jans
Q: How different were the expectations watching the NCAA Selection Show this year compared to last year?
CJ: "I wasn't as nervous as last year. When they wait until the last bracket, you start thinking some crazy thoughts because of how historic the championship week was. All the chatter about how difficult it was for the committee to leave some teams [out] that were deserving in most years out of the [NCAA] Tournament. When you start seeing some teams that you thought maybe you were ahead of getting some decent seeds, your mind plays tricks on you. Certainly, it made it more gratifying to see our name come up as an eight seed."
Q: What was it like to see the reaction from your players of getting your name called?
CJ: "That's what I told [my wife] Sheri. We were standing next to each other looking at the TV above us. Once I figured out there were TVs over there, we turned around so we could watch them and see it come up at the same time. It was cool, it was fun. That's one of those moments that you never forget to see their joyful reaction. For some of them, a dream to come true since they started playing this game. It was really nice to see them celebrate and enjoy it. I'm going to let them do that the rest of the evening."
Q: Was there ever a feeling maybe after the LSU win or Tennessee win that you felt comfortable of making the field today?
CJ: "Obviously with each win, you feel a little bit better about it. With Tennessee's resumé and where they stand, in terms of metrics, etcetera you felt like, 'Man, we should be in there by now.' That wasn't our mindset at all down in Nashville. We expected to be playing this afternoon with a chance to cut down some nets like Auburn did. We certainly were disappointed and still are with those results. Now, we'll turn the page and get ready for the NCAA Tournament. You just never know. I try not to dig too deep into what everyone is saying and let it play out."
Q: Where do you feel like your team is heading into March Madness?
CJ: "I think we're playing better. I thought 120 minutes in three consecutive days with noon starts every game. Those are tough turnarounds. They were locked in, and I thought they played better defensively than we had in some of the previous games down the stretch of the regular season schedule. We had some down moments there. We had some stretches that we'd like to get back which is pretty typical for most games. I think they've seen and got back to how we need to play to be successful. We shared some information with them to get them to understand. When we were playing our best, why was that? It went back to our core principles of a program. I think they rallied around that and really helped us win a couple of games down there."
Q: How prepared has the tough SEC schedule made you for this tournament?
CJ: "We'll find out here soon enough. We have a ton of respect for the Big Ten, the Michigan State Spartans and all that. They play in an equally tough basketball conference, so I'm sure they're battle-tested themselves. Even playing in Nashville with the platform, lights and the stage, it feels like the NCAA Tournament. I've been fortunately to a bunch of NCAA Tournament games with different positions on the bench. It's different when you're new at it, and the SEC Tournament feels just like it. Other than the courts are the NCAA March Madness brand. I think playing three games down there should make everyone more comfortable and not have the lights so bright. Hopefully, that experience will help us going into this weekend."
Q: With the way you played defensively against LSU and Tennessee, does that give you confidence that you can play good defense no matter who the opponent is?
CJ: "We've got a confident group. I think our confidence is as high as it's been all season long. I don't ask them all the time but just from reading body language and the vibe that we've got going on in our practices right now. Every coach in America wants their team to be playing their absolute best coming down the stretch, and we're no different. I think we're in a really good spot."
"I want to get this out there because I won't be asked about it. I think a couple of individuals need to be recognized, and we will have forgotten about that. In my opinion, the reason we're getting the seed and maybe in the tournament goes back to Jimmy Bell [Jr.] and Gai Chol. I don't know where we would be if Gai Chol didn't play at the level that he played. It wasn't 25 or 30 minutes a night, but he was invaluable for us in some of those games when Tolu wasn't available. Jimmy, with the work that he put in as a starter before Tolu's return, I'm not sure we would've been able to handle some of those teams like we did. I think those two guys are our unsung heroes for our complete body of work this season."
Q: How do you think you've been able to have so much success with this program?
CJ: "I said it when I got here that Coach [Ben] Howland and his staff did a tremendous job of having good players and equally important having good kids in the program. I meant what I said. Fortunately, they gave us some time to get to know them. In the end, for the most part, the ones that we wanted to come back. They came back, and it was some blind faith on their part. We sold them a vision of what we thought we could do. Part of it was that we didn't have a three or four-year plan."
"If you remember back to when I was introduced here, that's what I talked about. We're not trying to build a program. We're trying to build a team each and every year to make the NCAA Tournament and go on runs. I meant what I said. Fortunately, the majority of the kids I guess thought that was going to happen. So, it goes back to that. We started with a core group that believed, and we certainly added pieces over time. Then, this year heading into the season with all the returnees and the guys that we added, we thought we would have a chance to be even better. Behind closed doors, we raised the bar a little bit with the end-of-the-season goals that we have. We're not there yet, but we're in a position now to have a chance to do that."
Forward Cameron Matthews
Q: What do you remember from your experience in the NCAA Tournament last year that can help you guys this week?
CM: "I just remember being excited. It's been a long time since being in the tournament but having the feeling that there's more on the table for us. I think that's what we came into the season thinking. We were going to get better and improve from last year."
Q: How do you feel like the SEC schedule helped prepare you for the NCAA Tournament?
CM: "I feel like the SEC helped us a lot. Top-to-bottom, there are a lot of really good teams, and they're in the [NCAA] Tournament. I feel like we played really well on neutral courts. We're going to have fans that will come out, but I feel like we will have our own fuel during the game."
Q: What gives you confidence that you will be able to bounce back from pretty much anything that's thrown your way in March Madness?
CM: "Just the way we practice, and the way we get after it every day in practice. I have the most faith in all my teammates and my coaches. I know we will go out and compete no matter what."
Q: What does it mean to be a part of this veteran core that has made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances?
CM: "It means a lot. It puts a lot of pressure on me and Tolu, but we're big boys. We can handle it. We look out for the younger guys, and the guys that are coming after us just trying to lay a foundation for them."
Forward Tolu Smith III
Q: How different was the mindset of getting back into the NCAA Tournament this year compared to last year?
TS III: "First, it was a great feeling that got in. We put a lot of work into this. Getting our whole core back had us believing in each other, our capabilities, all the work we put in and our coaching staff. It's a great feeling to see all that work pay off."
Q: What does it mean to have Jimmy Bell Jr. and Gai Chol to have those two guys help when you weren't able to?
TS III: "They still help this team. Gai [Chol] might not be playing a lot, but he's vocal for a freshman. He has a lot of potential coming up. Jimmy [Bell Jr.] is one of my favorite teammates. I'm not trying to say that I have a favorite, but he's a guy that I really mesh well with. He's always motivating me and pushing me. We're always pushing each other, and he's a great brother to be around. Having them on the team is a blessing, and they're steadily helping us. They have been helping us, and they still help us to this day."
Q: What makes Coach Jans so successful as a coach?
TS III: "Man, there's so much that goes into his abilities and the coaching staff's abilities that even the players don't see. They work long nights and early mornings. They're always in the office talking about ways to get better and stuff like that. A lot of people don't see the hard work they put in. For the SEC Tournament, they were working day in and day out. While I was sleeping, they would still be in the office. It's crazy the amount of hours they put in. So, it's stuff like that. I think that's the distinguishing factor between a good coach and a great coach. Coach Jans is a great coach."
Q: Going into this tournament, what is it about this team that would cause other teams to not want to face you?
TS III: "Defense, that's what we live on. That's what we [hang] our hat on. We hang our hat on defense. We thrive off of that, and that's how we play well. Every time we have a good game, it's because of defense. I think any team would have a hard time dealing with us."
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ 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