Chris Jans opens up on Mississippi State's improved play at home

Outside of Missouri, there has not been an SEC win on the road for Mississippi State this season. Even during nonconference play, Chris Jans saw his team drop their only true road game against Georgia Tech. Playing in Starkville has been quite the better experience with a 10-2 record at the Hump.

Jans appreciates the crowd coming to the arena this season, using sellouts as an example. Mississippi State has surpassed the total from a season ago, Jans’ first with the program. They helped propel the team down the stretch against Arkansas on Saturday, getting a huge win.

“I’m excited about the crowds,” Jans said. “I think we had three sellouts last year if I’m not mistaken. We’ve already passed that with a few games left in the season. We certainly appreciate them being our sixth man. They certainly helped us down the stretch against Arkansas.

“The place got really loud the last few defensive possessions and got us over the hump to bring it home… Our fans have grown and we’re appreciative of it. Hopefully, they will continue to like our style of play and that our kids compete every single night and leave everything on the floor.”

To no surprise, the metrics for Mississippi State are quite better at home. It’s not that they are losing close games on the road but some have been blowouts. Kentucky got a 13-point win while Alabama blew the Bulldogs out of the water by 32.

“I would imagine it’s because we play better at home,” Jans said. “In terms of points differential, efficiency, some statistics that are out there. Part of that, probably, is that we’ve stunk on the road this year. So, therefore, your numbers are better at home.”

Mississippi State finds itself in a battle to make the NCAA Tournament, needing a few big wins to keep themselves off the bubble. Six games remain, with the home/road split being down the middle at three a piece.

At LSU, at Texas A&M, and at Auburn remain. The first two are in the bottom half of the SEC standings heading into Tuesday night while Auburn has one of the best homecourt advantages in all of college basketball.

There are some tough home games though, beginning with a rivalry against Ole Miss. Then, two established NCAA Tournament teams, Kentucky and South Carolina, come into town. Jans will be hoping the good home form can continue.