WATCH: Coach Jans Postgame Presser - SMU

2025-26 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Postgame Quotes
Mississippi State vs. SMU – November 28, 2025

Mississippi State Head Coach Chris Jans
Q: You guys were up by 9 points eight and change what changed within the team down the stretch especially on the offensive end?
CJ: "That's a great question. I remember it well: subbing at the free throw, and we didn't get a great look. Then, on the other end, we fouled a three-point shooter, and he made the free throw. Then, on the next possession, we took a not very good shot. They got our get back behind the play from offense to defense. We left someone wide open, and he made that three too. So, we gave up seven points in two possessions. I think I called a timeout if I'm not mistaken at that point. As the game unfolded, we obviously had a little time to reset a little bit, and I think we got it up to six, maybe once or twice, but not any further than that. At the end, they seemed like they made the key plays, they made the key baskets and we didn't."

Q: Second straight overtime game coach, what did you see different in this overtime as opposed to Monday night?
CJ: "They won, that's what I saw. The way the overtime started, I was like you've got to be kidding me with the tip and the fumble. They get the ball, and trick off the layup. I couldn't' believe it when that happened. I never dreamt that they wouldn't make that basket. It felt like we were playing from behind from the opening tip off the overtime. We just never got solid."

"Josh had four fouls down the stretch of the game, and then in overtime. So, we were trying to hit and miss with him a little bit to get him on defense and try to sub him for offense as much as we could. Our rhythm wasn't very good in overtime. There's was better. They got some separation on us and closed it out."

Q: Jayden Epps returned from injury for this game and gave you 21 points. What difference do you see in this team when Jayden's on the court opposed to when he's not?
CJ: "I mean, the obvious is that he gives us a scoring punch that is very much needed. I'm excited that he had got cleared to play. He makes a big difference for us. He spreads the court for us and gives us another option. He's been all in about what we're trying to do, and how he needs to play for us. Hopefully, his confidence is through the roof. I know he hates losing just as much as the next guy, but he definitely is a welcomed addition to having him available."

Q: How does Josh Hubbard having an off night on offense effect the looks you get from your opponent late in the games?
CJ: "Josh is going to have to continue to get used to that big, dark red circle that's around him on every scouting report. Certainly, he's already had that kind of attention, but this year it's different. He's not on the court with maybe quite as many other scoring options at times. So, they're going to do what they got to do to limit his looks and be very physical with him – try to get two on the ball and shut out his vision and make him give it up and try to put him in as many awkward situations as they can."

"It's been mixed results. He had 16 points, like you said, but 19 shots isn't very efficient that way. He's got to understand that some nights, he's going to have to facilitate more. He's going to have to understand that he's drawn so much attention, and it makes it easier for everybody else. But, when I say that, when it's everybody else and they're open, they got they got to knock those down too otherwise it's a tough situation for all of us. He'll continue to get better. He'll continue to figure out different defenses and how he needs to react to him."

Q: How do you feel like the guys have responded to adversity throughout the season and before the next game on Wednesday?
CJ: "Well, we've got some time now. We don't play until Wednesday. It's our first loss that we've had at home. I know we haven't been having stellar performances at home, but we've found a way to win, which is obviously the main goal."

"This one, not taking any credit away from SMU, but it got away from us. I'm to the best of my ability, I tell my guys the truth every single day – good, bad, ugly, doesn't matter. That's what I told them after the game. We did this to ourselves. We had this game in the balance. We played well enough to win. We had some great stretches, and the game changed when I talked earlier, it changed then. Then, down the stretch, we just didn't come up with enough balls in the air, balls on the ground, hit first, floor first. When you're playing at this level and playing against other teams that are trying to win as much as you are, you've got to figure out a way to make the plays."

"We've got awesome kids on our team. I love being around them. I love coaching them, but we've got to continue to work on our playing personality being a little more edgier. A little more whatever I got to do to get it done. It may not look pretty. I got to be a little more grimy, and that doesn't mean that they're not that way off the court because, again, we've got too many guys that haven't totally jumped into the playing personality part that our team has to play with for us to be successful."

"In the end, I'm responsible for it. How we practice and what we do. How I teach and how I coach them. I've got to figure out how I can get them to believe in it and then for our team to play like that. If we had that tonight, the narrative would be a lot different."

Mississippi State University Athletics

WATCH: Coach Jans Postgame Presser - SMU

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