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Mississippi State

Chris Jans not specifically talking about NCAA Tournament bubble with team

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•02/16/23•

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Mississippi State v Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 11: Head Coach Chris Jans of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during a game against of the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 11, 2023 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Bulldogs defeated the Razorbacks 70-64. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Mid-February means multiple teams across the country are on bubble watch. The term used to describe programs barely in or out of the NCAA Tournament, Mississippi State finds itself there this season. Head coach Chris Jans got his team off to a great start but has struggled through SEC play thus far.

We may be discussing the Bulldogs on the bubble but they are not. Jans said he is not interested in talking about the team’s standing with them right now. Instead, the focus has been one game at a time and making sure the mindset is in a quality spot.

“We don’t use that specific term all the time,” Jans said of the bubble. “But I think everybody in the room understands what we’re talking about. I’m not that superstitious but we’re winning, playing well. Obviously, I’m aware of all the numbers and the metrics and what’s going on. I did not feel like we really needed to deep dive into it because of how well we’re playing. The mindset was really good in practice and in the games.”

These comments from Jans came following a loss at the Hump to Kentucky. In what would have greatly enhanced Mississippi State’s status on the bubble, John Calipari left with win an important win of his own. Following that type of results, Jans may feel different about discussions moving forward.

“Now, I may feel different tomorrow when I get with the team and we start figuring out where we go from here,” Jans said. “But up until that point, we hadn’t been lately.”

Mississippi State began the year 11-0 before slipping up against Drake on a neutral court. In SEC play, the Bulldogs find themselves 5-8 but do have a quality win against TCU in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. To say the least, the resume is all over the place.

Heading into Thursday night’s action, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projected Mississippi State as the final team in the field. Kentucky was a whole four spots ahead of them, leading the ‘Last Four In’ group. Jans and his squad missed a crucial opportunity at home on Wednesday.

Texas A&M is most likely the Bulldogs’ top remaining regular season game. Of course, the SEC Tournament can provide quality resume wins in March. Making the NCAA Tournament would break a three-year streak for Mississippi State and be a positive Year One for Jans.