Chris Jans addresses Mississippi State's recent defensive struggles

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are coming off three straight games where they’ve allowed at least 70 points. It’s that kind of defensive struggle that head coach Chris Jans knows needs to be addressed.

Part of the problem, as Jans explained, is that competition has improved in conference play. Still, he knows that the Bulldogs need to find a way to figure things out on that end of the floor.

“Well, we’re playing better teams,” Chris Jans admitted. “That’s certainly a part of it. We’ve had some great opponents already in the early part of the SEC season.”

This change isn’t entirely surprising for Chris Jans, though, as SEC games are always going to be more challenging the a non-conference schedule is, and they’re going to be more challenging more consistently.

“That’s what happens, more often than not. You play the non-league. Then, you play in this league, and you get exposed a little bit. We’ll get back to work and figure out how we can get better on that end of the floor.”

Most recently, Mississippi State is coming off a 90-77 loss to Kentucky. In that game, the Wildcats shot 55.6% from the field and 30.4% from three-point range. The Wildcats also shot 17 more free throws than the Bulldogs, which was potentially the difference in a 13-point loss.

Before the Kentucky game, Mississippi State gave up 82 in a loss to Alabama and 72 in a win against Tennessee.

To this point in the season, Mississippi State is 65th in scoring defense, giving up just 66.3 points per game. However, the Bulldogs have given up 78 points per game in four SEC games to this point. Clearly, there has been a stark contrast in the team’s defensive play in conference play.

Last season, which was Chris Jans’ first with Mississippi State, the Bulldogs had issues early in SEC play. The Bulldogs went 1-7 in their first eight SEC games last season before turning things around. In the first four of those, the Bulldogs gave up 69.25 points per game.

Next up, Mississippi State will look to bounce back at home against Vanderbilt.

Chris Jans calls NCAA’s new transfer rule the ‘wild, wild west’

The new transfer rules have completely changed roster building in college athletics. According to Chris Jans, it’s made things like the wild west.

“I’ve got a lot of thoughts on it that I’m not gonna share,” Jans said. “It’s the wild, wild west. I’m not in those rooms. I understand they’re not asking me what I think, but it’s an interesting time.”