Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans seeking more leadership from veterans in Tolu Smith's absence

The preseason news for Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans and his staff has not been glowing. Last month Jans mentioned that sophomore forward KeShawn Murphy (foot) would be sidelined until the Christmas holidays. Then earlier this month, the program announced that All-SEC center Tolu Smith was injured in practice (foot) and would also miss State’s non-conference portion of the schedule.

While those losses sting, one thing in the Bulldogs’ favor is having other senior veterans on the team as well as a more talented roster from top to bottom compared to last season. All in all, Mississippi State returns all five starters from a year ago and added senior transfer Andrew Taylor and Jimmy Bell to the mix, as well, from Marshall and West Virginia, respectively.

In Smith’s absence, Bell’s workload is expected to increase tremendously.

“It’s a real good deal,” said Jans of his experienced roster. “Definitely different than last year with all of the players we inherited and you try to piece together a roster for our inaugural season as a staff. When you got that many guys coming back it just makes your job a lot easier, especially in the summer when you are trying to get everyone on the same page.

“If I need to run a similar set, I can throw five guys out there and not have to teach every spot. So it’s been nice that way.”

Of course, the Bulldogs don’t expect to replace Smith’s 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds, which he averaged last year, with one guy. That also goes for replacing Smith’s leadership on the court. While Smith will be a cheerleader on the sidelines, State has several candidates to provide that leadership and communication on the court.

“I feel like I have to take a bigger (leadership) role than I had already planned on as a leader coming into this year,” noted senior Cameron Matthews, who averaged 6.9 points and 5.6 rebounds a year ago. “But guys like DJ (Jeffries), Shak (Shakeel Moore), Rams (Dashawn Davis) and people that have been here that know the system. I feel like we got a bigger role of teaching the new guys how things are around Starkville.”

Not just vocally, but Matthews was quick to note that he also has to set an example.

“I feel like I am more vocal,” Matthews added. “But I feel like I have to lead by example more. I have to step out and be more of an example type of leader. But that’s something I am working on right now.”

Matthews, Jans and Moore were in Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday for SEC media days, and naturally, the absence of Smith for a couple of months during the season was a hot topic. Regarding media days and the media’s preseason predictions, Smith was voted as a first-team performer while the Bulldogs were projected to finish seventh overall in the SEC standings.

With Matthews’ leadership responsibilities increasing now, Jans also remarked on the need for Matthews to set an example on the court instead of just being vocal. And Jans believes Matthews has it in him to do just that.

“What I’ve told (Matthews) is that he has the ability to be an excellant leader,” mentioned Jans. “He competes. If it is 5-on-5 and it’s game time, he is going to compete. Sometimes in practice, it’s practice. I want him to be verbal because he says the right stuff. But as we all know, you can’t be verbal unless your motor is going all the time. So I am trying to get him to go and you should be an excellent leader.

“He is here (at SEC Media Days) for a reason. I just need him to go a little bit harder every day and then who knows what can happen.”

As a team, the Bulldogs will need all of the veterans to lead the way. There’s also several younger guys on the team that will play a factor this year and they will need that veteran advice inside the locker room.

“Closer than ever,” Moore said. “Having everyone back is a big thing for us this year. I think it will be important for us to have that same chemistry. (Coach Jans) encourages me to speak up and help the younger guys understand defensive assignments. It’s the small details that is asked of us but I pride myself upon that, as well, being a leader.”

For Moore, he is gearing up for his third season in the Maroon and White after beginning his college career at N.C. State. Despite the rash of preseason injuries, Moore said the end goal for the season remains the same. State finished 21-13 a year ago and were eliminated in the first four game of the NCAA Tournament. Moore averaged 9.8 points and 3.0 rebounds last season for the Bulldogs.

It was Jans’ defensive system that led that charge to the postseason last year. And that will have to be the fuel driving the team again this season, said Moore.

“Just to be a leader for my team at the highest level and going back to the (NCAA) tournament,” Moore added. “We had a pretty rough game in our last game last year. I feel like we have a pretty big chip on our shoulder. I think defense will be our biggest thing again this year and that plays an important part of winning.”