WATCH: Players Postgame Presser - Alabama State
December 29, 2025 | Men's Basketball
2025-26 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Postgame Quotes
Mississippi State vs. Alabama State – December 29, 2025
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Center Quincy Ballard and Guard King Grace
Q: Would you say this has been your team's best overall showing this year?
QB: "Coach said it during practices like coming off the break. Our practices have been way better, offensively and defensively."
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Q: King, you finish with a career high in points. What was working for you tonight?
KG: "Really, it was just exciting for me to get out there and get my legs loose. It was a great feeling. I guess my shot was working. I was just getting into transition and letting my teammates get me open. So, it was just easy shots."
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Q: What have you seen from Josh Hubbard as a passer earning all those assists?
QB: "He's a great guard. Obviously, he gets more assists than turnovers. He sees the open guy, he's going to either throw a lob, cut or throw the pass to the corner, whoever is open."
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Q: King, you played for the first time in a few games tonight, what were the coaches looking from you in practice and in game tonight?
KG: "Just to stay consistent. Stay competitive, keep competing, keep playing hard and just the things usually freshmen don't do. Just stay consistent in practices and keep doing what I'm doing. It's going to flip, and it's going to click."
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Q: Quincy, you guys were plus 22 on the boards tonight. Did you know you would have that advantage in the paint tonight?
QB: "Well, I mean, Coach Jans has been saying that throughout the last few games of the season. I mean, obviously, our rebound numbers have to be higher. We have a tall team. Coming to this game, we were all saying that we've got to dominate the rebounds. So, that's what we did."
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Q: King, what has it been like adjusting to playing college basketball?
KG: "It's been a big adjustment. The traveling, the film and the daily grind of college itself. It's been a lot, but I think I'm finally adjusted to it. It's almost normal now."
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Q: How have you seen this team change over your four-game win streak?
KG: "I think we came together and said as a team, we can't let the little things be the reason we don't win games. Like the first three steps being jogs or not just getting a 50/50 ball. We just decided the little things can't keep us from what we want. So, it's just giving it a little bit more effort from each and every player."
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Q: Quincy, what have you seen from Sergej Macura and Achor Achor as they've stepped up in the front court?
QB: "I mean, working with them, they're great players. They can move, and they're really athletic. They're really a big help to our team. They can rebound. They can shoot outside and can do a lot all around."
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Mississippi State vs. Alabama State – December 29, 2025
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Center Quincy Ballard and Guard King Grace
Q: Would you say this has been your team's best overall showing this year?
QB: "Coach said it during practices like coming off the break. Our practices have been way better, offensively and defensively."
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Q: King, you finish with a career high in points. What was working for you tonight?
KG: "Really, it was just exciting for me to get out there and get my legs loose. It was a great feeling. I guess my shot was working. I was just getting into transition and letting my teammates get me open. So, it was just easy shots."
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Q: What have you seen from Josh Hubbard as a passer earning all those assists?
QB: "He's a great guard. Obviously, he gets more assists than turnovers. He sees the open guy, he's going to either throw a lob, cut or throw the pass to the corner, whoever is open."
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Q: King, you played for the first time in a few games tonight, what were the coaches looking from you in practice and in game tonight?
KG: "Just to stay consistent. Stay competitive, keep competing, keep playing hard and just the things usually freshmen don't do. Just stay consistent in practices and keep doing what I'm doing. It's going to flip, and it's going to click."
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Q: Quincy, you guys were plus 22 on the boards tonight. Did you know you would have that advantage in the paint tonight?
QB: "Well, I mean, Coach Jans has been saying that throughout the last few games of the season. I mean, obviously, our rebound numbers have to be higher. We have a tall team. Coming to this game, we were all saying that we've got to dominate the rebounds. So, that's what we did."
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Q: King, what has it been like adjusting to playing college basketball?
KG: "It's been a big adjustment. The traveling, the film and the daily grind of college itself. It's been a lot, but I think I'm finally adjusted to it. It's almost normal now."
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Q: How have you seen this team change over your four-game win streak?
KG: "I think we came together and said as a team, we can't let the little things be the reason we don't win games. Like the first three steps being jogs or not just getting a 50/50 ball. We just decided the little things can't keep us from what we want. So, it's just giving it a little bit more effort from each and every player."
Â
Q: Quincy, what have you seen from Sergej Macura and Achor Achor as they've stepped up in the front court?
QB: "I mean, working with them, they're great players. They can move, and they're really athletic. They're really a big help to our team. They can rebound. They can shoot outside and can do a lot all around."
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Players Mentioned
MEN'S BASKETBALL | King Grace & Quincy Ballard Postgame Press Conference vs. Alabama State - 12/29/25
Tuesday, December 30
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Postgame Press Conference vs. Alabama State - 12/29/25
Tuesday, December 30
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Jayden Epps & Shawn Jones Jr. Postgame Press Conference vs. Memphis - 12/20/25
Sunday, December 21
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Postgame Press Conference vs. Memphis - 12/20/25
Sunday, December 21






