WATCH: Players Postgame Presser - No. 15 Vanderbilt
January 24, 2026 | Men's Basketball
2025-26 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Postgame Quotes
Mississippi State vs. No. 15 Vanderbilt – January 24, 2026
Â
Mississippi State Guard Josh Hubbard and Guard Jayden Epps
Q: Your team has got off to good starts throughout the season, what do you think went differently during today's game?
JH: "Yeah, they started off hot. They had a good game plan against us defensively and offensively. We kind of talked about how it's like a fight when we go into games. First round, they kind of got us bloody a little bit. So, they went on that run and after that we were just trying to crawl out the hole."
Â
Q: During a game like this when they're tough moments, what are you all saying to each other?
JE: "We just try to look each other up and try to get each other to have some energy and play with some enthusiasm. Because at the end of the day, that's what we've got to do. When we get down like Hubb [Josh Hubbard] said, we've got to learn how to find a way to get back up. So, we're just going to keep fighting. Like, we're going to be down again this year. We're going to have to fight back. So, that's something that we're going to have to be better at, and we're going to keep working at it."
Â
Q: Where do you assess the team's confidence after the last couple of weeks?
JH: "Yeah, I mean we're all competitive. We don't like to lose, but we never let that change our approach to practice or the next game. We lift each other up, and we get to the next game. We practice hard still. I mean, yeah, it's frustrating to lose the games because you know we're all competitive. It's the SEC, nobody wants to lose. But with saying all that, we just want to get to the next game."
Â
Q: Where do you feel the process starts to get better and to turn this around?
JE: "I feel like just continuing to do what we're doing. Like Coach [Jans] said, I don't know if he's been telling you guys, but I feel like we've been practicing well. It hasn't been translating on the court for us lately, but it's basketball. I've been in college for a long time, Hubb [Josh Hubbard] has too. I've lost a lot of games, and I always know that it can turn around. So, I just feel like we keep doing day to day, being intentional, keep lifting each other up and just keep being [good] teammates and staying together. I feel like we'll definitely turn it around."
Â
Q: What did Vanderbilt do defensively that gave you guys some trouble?
JH: "They were very handsy on the ball. Off the ball, they were very aggressive as well. They're making every catch and every pass tough. They did a tremendous job in ball screen defense as well. We had to make quick decisions. With all that combined, they just made the court shrink a little bit."
Â
Mississippi State vs. No. 15 Vanderbilt – January 24, 2026
Â
Mississippi State Guard Josh Hubbard and Guard Jayden Epps
Q: Your team has got off to good starts throughout the season, what do you think went differently during today's game?
JH: "Yeah, they started off hot. They had a good game plan against us defensively and offensively. We kind of talked about how it's like a fight when we go into games. First round, they kind of got us bloody a little bit. So, they went on that run and after that we were just trying to crawl out the hole."
Â
Q: During a game like this when they're tough moments, what are you all saying to each other?
JE: "We just try to look each other up and try to get each other to have some energy and play with some enthusiasm. Because at the end of the day, that's what we've got to do. When we get down like Hubb [Josh Hubbard] said, we've got to learn how to find a way to get back up. So, we're just going to keep fighting. Like, we're going to be down again this year. We're going to have to fight back. So, that's something that we're going to have to be better at, and we're going to keep working at it."
Â
Q: Where do you assess the team's confidence after the last couple of weeks?
JH: "Yeah, I mean we're all competitive. We don't like to lose, but we never let that change our approach to practice or the next game. We lift each other up, and we get to the next game. We practice hard still. I mean, yeah, it's frustrating to lose the games because you know we're all competitive. It's the SEC, nobody wants to lose. But with saying all that, we just want to get to the next game."
Â
Q: Where do you feel the process starts to get better and to turn this around?
JE: "I feel like just continuing to do what we're doing. Like Coach [Jans] said, I don't know if he's been telling you guys, but I feel like we've been practicing well. It hasn't been translating on the court for us lately, but it's basketball. I've been in college for a long time, Hubb [Josh Hubbard] has too. I've lost a lot of games, and I always know that it can turn around. So, I just feel like we keep doing day to day, being intentional, keep lifting each other up and just keep being [good] teammates and staying together. I feel like we'll definitely turn it around."
Â
Q: What did Vanderbilt do defensively that gave you guys some trouble?
JH: "They were very handsy on the ball. Off the ball, they were very aggressive as well. They're making every catch and every pass tough. They did a tremendous job in ball screen defense as well. We had to make quick decisions. With all that combined, they just made the court shrink a little bit."
Â
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballMEN'S BASKETBALL | Josh Hubbard & Jayden Epps Postgame Press Conference vs. Vanderbilt - 1/24/26
Saturday, January 24
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Postgame Press Conference vs. Vanderbilt - 1/24/26
Saturday, January 24
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Postgame Press Conference at Texas A&M - 1/21/26
Thursday, January 22
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Chris Jans Media Session - 1/19/26
Monday, January 19