Mississippi State prepares for size challenge against Xavier
Mississippi State coach Chris Jans said Xavier’s size and experience will pose a major test for the Bulldogs in Friday’s Greenbrier Tipoff.
Jans described Xavier as one of the bigger teams in college basketball, citing its lineup’s height, length and strength. He also said the Musketeers have experienced players, including international players who appear comfortable on the court. Mississippi State has not yet faced a team with comparable size this season, he said.
Both teams will face a step up in competition, according to Jans. He said Xavier had won its exhibition games, including matchups with Kent State, Tennessee and Dayton, and had taken care of business in its early regular-season home games. Jans called Friday’s matchup the first major test for both programs.
Jans said the Greenbrier venue would give the teams time to get familiar with the gym, with a practice session the night before and a game-day shootaround. He said he was unsure what crowd or game environment to expect.
Mississippi State has shown progress in its first three games, Jans said, but the offense has at times become stagnant when players hold the ball or fail to move away from it. Opponents have switched defensively, contributing to those stretches, he said. The Bulldogs have also missed opportunities to pass inside to open teammates.
Jans said the team’s defense had improved, though its schemes and rotations still need work. He emphasized individual on-ball defense as a key priority and said Mississippi State would face more sophisticated offenses and stronger players as its schedule gets tougher.
Jans also discussed the role of a player he referred to as ND, saying the player’s contributions should extend beyond the statistics. Jans pointed to responsibilities such as defending ball screens, protecting the rim, rotating on time and setting physical screens. He said the player would be important against Xavier’s large lineup.
On recruiting, Jans said Mississippi State remained active and might not be finished with the current cycle. He said the staff continually evaluates its roster and potential fits, with transfer decisions and financial considerations affecting plans. Because players can enter the transfer portal, he said, the staff focuses primarily on the current team and the next one rather than projecting several seasons ahead.
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