Jans stresses urgency as Mississippi State prepares for opener

Mississippi State coach Chris Jans said the Bulldogs have identified areas to address after an exhibition game against Memphis as they prepare for their season opener against Tennessee Tech on Monday.

Jans said the game provided useful film for evaluating players and the team’s execution. The coaching staff found schematic issues to work on, he said, and saw some players perform differently under game conditions than they had in practice.

The second half drew particular concern. Jans said Mississippi State did not respond well coming out of halftime, and he chose not to intervene with timeouts because he wanted to see how players would handle the situation. The team fell into a hole on the scoreboard, he said, while the staff observed how players communicated and reacted to a need for direction.

Jans said several players practiced at a higher level than they showed against Memphis. He wants them to play with full effort whenever they are on the court, rather than conserve energy, and said that approach can help earn more playing time.

Guard Josh Hubbard has received preseason recognition from SEC coaches, a distinction Jans said reflected Hubbard’s work. Coaches cannot vote for their own players on the preseason teams, Jans said. He added that the accolades would motivate Hubbard rather than make him complacent.

Hubbard’s leadership has been strong, Jans said, including in the Memphis game. But an injury has interrupted his practice time and rhythm, the coach said, adding that getting back into form would benefit the team.

Jans also discussed preparing for early-season opponents when little game film is available. He said exhibition games and changing information-sharing practices have affected scouting, and that Mississippi State has found ways to gather information on its first opponents.

Two players, Hubbard and King Grace, remain from last season’s team, Jans said, so he does not plan to rely on memories of the previous season opener when discussing how to start games. The focus will be on beginning well and building confidence, he said. Mississippi State’s opener against Tennessee Tech is scheduled for Monday.

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